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What Does Presence Of Black Stains On Bladder Incontinence Pads Indicate?
Question: Why do I have black stains on my bladder incontinence pads?
Brief Answer:
Reevaluate your health with urologist's & oncologist's help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for the query under Health care magic platform. I have read it & understand your concern.
I see two possibilities in black staining of the incontinence pad.
-Some incontinence pads have wetness indicators ... they have a strip of indicator inside, which makes the color change when the pad is soiled or wet & thus indicates change of pad. Please confirm this from the wrapper of pads which has the instructions printed over it.
-For more incontinence absorbent pads are used. These are different from menstrual pads. They have powder like diapers built in the pad.
Possibility of change of PH of your urine ( by kidney problem/ less water drinking/ infection ) may have some chemical reaction with the powder to create a black precipitate, may change the black staining of pad.
- old vaginal bleeding will create such staining( possible recurrence of the cervical symptoms ).. Needs to be evaluated by local examination & blood cancer detection tests would detect possibility of recurrence or secondaries.
* In this context I would advise for consultation of your urologist & oncologist for evaluation of your health condition & offer needful advise.
I hope you have found the answer to be informative & useful. Any follow up query you have please don't hesitate to ask.
Thanks.
Reevaluate your health with urologist's & oncologist's help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for the query under Health care magic platform. I have read it & understand your concern.
I see two possibilities in black staining of the incontinence pad.
-Some incontinence pads have wetness indicators ... they have a strip of indicator inside, which makes the color change when the pad is soiled or wet & thus indicates change of pad. Please confirm this from the wrapper of pads which has the instructions printed over it.
-For more incontinence absorbent pads are used. These are different from menstrual pads. They have powder like diapers built in the pad.
Possibility of change of PH of your urine ( by kidney problem/ less water drinking/ infection ) may have some chemical reaction with the powder to create a black precipitate, may change the black staining of pad.
- old vaginal bleeding will create such staining( possible recurrence of the cervical symptoms ).. Needs to be evaluated by local examination & blood cancer detection tests would detect possibility of recurrence or secondaries.
* In this context I would advise for consultation of your urologist & oncologist for evaluation of your health condition & offer needful advise.
I hope you have found the answer to be informative & useful. Any follow up query you have please don't hesitate to ask.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Athavale,
Thank you so much for your reply. I understand incontinence pads are completely different than menstrual pads. The brand I use ( Poise ) do not have a wetness indicator. As for old vaginal bleeding, I went into " instant " menopause at 46 ( 14 years ago ) right after my first radiation treatment and have not had a period or any spotting/bleeding since then. My oncologist explained this instant menopause would occur while he was explaining my treatment schedule to me prior to any chemo/radiation or HDR. There is never any blood on the toilet paper after I wipe post urination.
I do drink a lot of water daily, probably 1 1/2 to 2 litres a day. It helps with bowel movements etc. Along with a glass of juice in the morning and either 1 cup of of coffee or tea a day, water is the only beverage I drink. So I imagine a Pap smear and blood work in my near future. Also just so you know, there is no vaginal discharge, no pelvic pain, no burning/stinging etc. upon urination.
Thanks so much.
Thank you so much for your reply. I understand incontinence pads are completely different than menstrual pads. The brand I use ( Poise ) do not have a wetness indicator. As for old vaginal bleeding, I went into " instant " menopause at 46 ( 14 years ago ) right after my first radiation treatment and have not had a period or any spotting/bleeding since then. My oncologist explained this instant menopause would occur while he was explaining my treatment schedule to me prior to any chemo/radiation or HDR. There is never any blood on the toilet paper after I wipe post urination.
I do drink a lot of water daily, probably 1 1/2 to 2 litres a day. It helps with bowel movements etc. Along with a glass of juice in the morning and either 1 cup of of coffee or tea a day, water is the only beverage I drink. So I imagine a Pap smear and blood work in my near future. Also just so you know, there is no vaginal discharge, no pelvic pain, no burning/stinging etc. upon urination.
Thanks so much.
Brief Answer:
Get genital/ urinary check up too.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for the follow up query.
I have read it carefully & I still persist in getting a detailed assessment of health along with blood work & pap smear you are rightly planning for.
In fact the absorbent used in pad is not exactly known.. so we have to find the cause of staining by exclusion of possibilities
- The bleeding I refer to is not necessarily menstrual , it can be a bit of spotting from the operation stump ( as a sequel of past malignancy surgery you had-)/ it can be even microscopic blood in urine ( infection or inflammation of urinary bladder)/ irritated skin or vagina( due to constant wearing of the pad) or mild vaginal infection can lead to slight blood on pad- which in turn get black on long standing. So a detailed gynecological examination along with USG/ CT scan may be ordered by the expert.
- Continuous use of pad can cause sub clinical bladder infection altering vaginal PH to cause the discoloration... this indicates a check up by urologist followed by investigations as per need.
Alteration of urine Ph with excessive water intake too needs to be considered ( urine routine examination would reveal it )
- One more point I can think of now is reaction of sweat with the absorbent.
* You can try with changing the brand of pad...& if the staining still persists, please go for the check ups.
Hope you get what I mean to say & are satisfied with the answer. Any follow up query you have would be answered happily.
Thanks.
Get genital/ urinary check up too.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for the follow up query.
I have read it carefully & I still persist in getting a detailed assessment of health along with blood work & pap smear you are rightly planning for.
In fact the absorbent used in pad is not exactly known.. so we have to find the cause of staining by exclusion of possibilities
- The bleeding I refer to is not necessarily menstrual , it can be a bit of spotting from the operation stump ( as a sequel of past malignancy surgery you had-)/ it can be even microscopic blood in urine ( infection or inflammation of urinary bladder)/ irritated skin or vagina( due to constant wearing of the pad) or mild vaginal infection can lead to slight blood on pad- which in turn get black on long standing. So a detailed gynecological examination along with USG/ CT scan may be ordered by the expert.
- Continuous use of pad can cause sub clinical bladder infection altering vaginal PH to cause the discoloration... this indicates a check up by urologist followed by investigations as per need.
Alteration of urine Ph with excessive water intake too needs to be considered ( urine routine examination would reveal it )
- One more point I can think of now is reaction of sweat with the absorbent.
* You can try with changing the brand of pad...& if the staining still persists, please go for the check ups.
Hope you get what I mean to say & are satisfied with the answer. Any follow up query you have would be answered happily.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Athavale,
I am deeply indebted to you for all the issues you have covered and answers you have provided. You are superb! I wish my own doctor was as well versed and thorough as you are. Again, many, many thanks to you.
Very Best Regards,
XXXX
I am deeply indebted to you for all the issues you have covered and answers you have provided. You are superb! I wish my own doctor was as well versed and thorough as you are. Again, many, many thanks to you.
Very Best Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
My pleasure.
Detailed Answer:
HiXXXX,
Thanks for the remark. It was my moral duty..I tried to do at my level best. Still such encouraging words do give a feeling of satisfaction. Thank you once more.
I wish you a happy ,peaceful &healthy life.
Any more queries from your side would be answered with same sincerity.
With thanks/best wishes,
Dr. Vasudha Athavale.
My pleasure.
Detailed Answer:
HiXXXX,
Thanks for the remark. It was my moral duty..I tried to do at my level best. Still such encouraging words do give a feeling of satisfaction. Thank you once more.
I wish you a happy ,peaceful &healthy life.
Any more queries from your side would be answered with same sincerity.
With thanks/best wishes,
Dr. Vasudha Athavale.
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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