let’s be honest: discharge happens. it is a normal part of having a healthy vagina and a regular menstrual cycle. it can be tricky to figure out what type of discharge is normal and what could be a sign of an underlying health problem.
And if you’ve recently noticed a brown discharge on your underwear (especially if you haven’t seen it before), you may be worried.
In most cases, brown discharge before or after your period is completely normal and no cause for alarm.
all you need to do is use a sunscreen to stay fresh and then go about your day as usual. however, if the brown discharge is accompanied by other symptoms, it could be a sign of a possible health condition. Let’s talk about what to watch out for.
what is brown flux?
Have you ever put a Band-Aid over a cut and then removed it the next day to reveal a dry brown spot? that’s what happens when blood is exposed to oxygen: it changes from red to brown through a process called oxidation. therefore, it’s not hard to understand that your menstrual blood can do the same thing.
Brown vaginal discharge before or after your period is exactly that, and usually nothing to worry about. Through a natural process of oxidation, blood that is exposed to oxygen changes from red to brown.
Before your period, brown discharge may be due to a small amount of bleeding and therefore very light blood flow. it takes time for the blood to flow from your cervix until you see it, and during this time, the blood ages. the oxidation of that old blood makes it look brown when it gets on your underwear.
After your period, the brown discharge in most cases is simply blood that has taken a little longer to pass.
If you’re spotting between periods, the blood can mix with your usual white vaginal discharge, resulting in a thick, rubbery, brown consistency. this is all totally normal and okay.
types of vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge is a normal part of everyday life for women. It is made up of fluids from the vagina and cervix that wash away dead cells and bacteria, keeping the vagina clean and protecting it from infection.
Over the course of your menstrual cycle, the amount, color, and consistency of your vaginal discharge changes due to fluctuations in your hormone levels.
These changes are natural and vary from woman to woman. it’s a good idea to become familiar with your own menstrual cycle and discharge patterns so you can notice any irregularities. If your menstrual cycle has always been irregular, it might be worth seeing an OB/GYN to find out the cause.
Types of vaginal discharge during your menstrual cycle include:
- during menstruation: bloody red or brown discharge is normal during menstruation: the lining of the uterus is shedding as it should. Some women may also experience irregular periods or spotting between their periods. If you bleed for more than seven days in a row or have to change pads or tampons every hour, this is abnormally heavy bleeding and should be checked by a doctor.
- postmenstruation: There may be a small discharge right after your period. Gradually, the amount of discharge increases and may be yellow, cloudy, or white with a sticky consistency.
- before ovulation: As your body makes more estrogen, it also makes more discharge. the discharge is usually thin and stretchy and usually indicates that you are very fertile. (Don’t worry, if you’re using birth control, you may still have this type of discharge. It doesn’t mean your birth control isn’t working.)
- ovulation: Ovulation is the phase right in the middle of your cycle when an egg is released from your ovary and begins to travel down your fallopian tubes. during ovulation, vaginal discharge is clear and watery, and there is a lot of it. some people experience spotting during ovulation that may look pink or brown.
- post-ovulation: After ovulation, the discharge may change color and will have a thicker consistency.
- before your period: In the days before your period, your discharge may become sticky again. there is usually very little discharge a day or two before menstruation.
- don’t take a shower. The vagina is designed to clean itself, and discharge is its natural way of helping irritants flow out of your body. Washing with water is fine, but soap inside the vagina can upset the delicate balance of vaginal flora and lead to bacterial vaginosis (BV). bv is not an stis, but it can be very itchy and requires antibiotic treatment.
- Avoid using scented soaps, sprays, and wipes. these can affect the ph level of the vagina and lead to irritation, yeast infections or bv.
- urinate after sex and clean your sex toys after each use.
- Wear breathable cotton underwear and change it daily.
- change wet or sweaty clothes as soon as possible. moist environments are prime targets for harmful bacteria.
- Cramps or pelvic pain
- vaginal itching
- painful urination
- abnormal bleeding between periods
- extremely irregular periods
- frequent missed periods
shades and consistency of brown discharge
Brown vaginal discharge can look different depending on when and why it occurs.
light brown discharge
This is the result of a white or clear vaginal discharge mixing with menstrual blood. it is a sign of light bleeding or spotting, and is usually thick and rubbery in consistency.
dark brown discharge
This is most likely to happen around your period. the discharge is dark brown in color due to oxidation of the blood once it leaves the vagina and comes into contact with free air.
black discharge
If your vaginal discharge is black, it could be a sign of particularly heavy menstrual bleeding. But if it has a strong odor or if you feel excessive pain or discomfort (beyond the usual menstrual cramps), it could be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or a rare but serious health problem like cancer.
thin, thick, or clumpy brown discharge
During menstruation, the body sheds the uterine lining, resulting in a mixture of blood, mucus, and endometrial cells. what this means is that the consistency of your discharge can vary quite a bit each day of your period. it can be thin and watery on some days and thick and lumpy on others.
causes of brown discharge
There are many possible causes of brown discharge. In most cases, brown discharge is not a cause for concern. however, brown discharge may indicate a possible health problem if it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as vaginal itching, pain, a strong odor, or changes in the menstrual cycle.
If you experience brown discharge unexpectedly, there are a variety of possible causes:
early pregnancy
If you are in the early stages of pregnancy, you may experience light bleeding or brown spots. in fact, up to 30% of pregnant women experience light bleeding or brown spots during the first trimester. this is normal, but you should still call your doctor or health care provider to make sure everything is okay.
contraceptive implant
Some birth control methods like IUDs or implants release the hormone progestin into your body to keep you from getting pregnant. As your body adjusts to the new form of birth control, you may experience side effects such as irregular periods, spotting, breakthrough bleeding, and brown discharge.
pelvic inflammatory disease (pid)
pid is an infection of the cervix and uterus that can sometimes cause a brown discharge. It is usually caused by an untreated STI, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Other symptoms of PID include pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis, pain during sexual intercourse, fever, painful urination, and a profuse, foul-smelling discharge. pid is a serious medical condition that needs immediate evaluation and treatment.
sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Some STIs, like chlamydia or gonorrhea, can cause you to have brown discharge or spotting when you don’t have your period. Other symptoms include unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge, pain during intercourse, and a burning sensation when urinating.
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
pcos is a fairly common hormonal condition that affects one in ten people with vaginas of reproductive age (15-49 years). Its exact cause is unknown, but it probably has to do with genetics and excess insulin in the body. People with PCOS have an imbalance of reproductive hormones: Their bodies produce higher levels of hormones called androgens, resulting in irregular or missing periods. A symptom of PCOS is brown discharge instead of your period. other symptoms include irregular menstrual cycles, acne, excessive hair growth, obesity, infertility, ovarian cysts, and dark spots on the skin.
endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic condition that occurs when tissue normally found in the lining of the uterus begins to grow in other areas, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or intestines. People with endometriosis experience irregular bleeding and heavy periods, and may occasionally notice a brown discharge from internal bleeding related to their condition.
perimenopause
This is the stage of life when you approach menopause and your body begins to adjust to the transition. it usually occurs in your forties, but the exact age varies from person to person (some people enter perimenopause a decade earlier).
During perimenopause, estrogen levels fluctuate and this hormonal imbalance disrupts the menstrual cycle. these changes can often lead to a brown discharge after your period and sometimes also at other points in your cycle when you wouldn’t normally expect it. Other symptoms of perimenopause include hot flashes, vaginal dryness and pain, night sweats, and mood swings.
reaction to a pap smear or gynecological exam
It is normal to experience light bleeding or spotting after a Pap smear or vaginal exam. OB/GYNs work hard to be careful in these situations, but sometimes their tools can cause slight irritation within the walls of the vagina or the lining of the cervix. if you experience this without any other symptoms, you generally don’t need to worry about it.
reaction to vigorous sex
If you’ve recently had intense intercourse, vaginal irritation may cause minor bleeding. It may take a few days for the blood to leave your body, and during this time, the blood turns brown as a result of oxidation.
ectopic pregnancy
Occasionally, after unprotected intercourse, a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterine cavity, causing an ectopic pregnancy. this is rare, but when it does happen, it is serious and requires medical attention as soon as possible to avoid life-threatening complications. signs of an ectopic pregnancy include light bleeding and spotting, severe abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, and dizziness.
cervical cancer
In extremely rare cases, brown discharge could be a sign of cervical cancer if it is accompanied by symptoms including painful intercourse, heavy or prolonged periods, bleeding between periods, unusual weight loss, or weakness. regular pap smears and gynecological care can help prevent and detect any early signs of cervical cancer. everyone with a vagina between the ages of 21 and 65 should get these tests to stay proactive.
brown discharge and your period: what’s normal and when to worry
why is my period blood sometimes brown?
Brown blood can look alarming if you expect it to be… you know, bright red. but if you’ve ever looked at a wound or cut that’s a few days old, you can see that the blood has turned a dark brown color. This is due to a process called oxidation, where oxygen binds to hemoglobin (a protein in blood cells). this changes the color of old blood from red to brown. so if it takes a few days longer for menstrual blood to come out of the vagina, it may be brown when you see it.
what does black menstrual blood mean?
Black menstrual blood can be a sign of oxidation combined with heavy bleeding. if it occurs around the same time as your usual period (in combination with red and brown blood), there’s usually nothing to worry about. Black blood that occurs outside your period window, combined with a bad odor or abdominal discomfort, could be a warning sign of an STI.
why is my discharge sometimes brown before my period?
Usually this means you are starting to bleed due to your menstrual cycle and the blood is mixing with other secretions to create a brown color. it may have a thick, sticky, or rubber-like consistency. don’t worry though, your period should continue normally.
what if I just have brown discharge instead of my period?
You may only have some slight irregularities in your cycle. When someone starts a new hormonal treatment or birth control, sometimes their period is replaced with brown discharge or light spotting for the next several months as their body adjusts.
Brown discharge instead of menstruation could also be a sign of implantation bleeding in early pregnancy. If you’ve recently had unprotected sex and begin to experience mild cramping, nausea, fatigue, and breast tenderness, it’s worth taking a pregnancy test.
what to watch out for and risk factors
pregnancy, childbirth and miscarriage
Brown discharge instead of your period could be an early sign of pregnancy. About a week or two after a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus (which occurs during ovulation), you may notice some pink or brown blood due to implantation bleeding.
If you’ve recently had unprotected sex and have a brown discharge instead of a period, it’s definitely a smart move to take a pregnancy test. (Pro tip: Pharmacy versions are just as effective as anything you can get at a doctor’s office, plus they’re a lot cheaper.)
If you’re pregnant and experience a small amount of brown discharge, it’s usually nothing to worry about, but it’s important to talk to your doctor just in case.
In rare cases, dark brown discharge during pregnancy can be a sign of miscarriage. Other possible signs of miscarriage include cramping, so if you’re experiencing cramping along with an unusual discharge, it may be worth calling your doctor.
If you’ve just given birth, it’s normal to have a pink or brown discharge for up to six weeks after delivery. this is called lochia.
brown vaginal discharge with an unpleasant smell
If you notice a brown discharge with a strong, unpleasant odor, you should talk to your doctor, as it could be the sign of a vaginal infection, such as a strangulation, or a retained foreign object, such as a tampon. retained foreign objects can lead to serious infections and need prompt in-person evaluation. the unpleasant smell is the key indicator that something is not normal and it is worth contacting your doctor as soon as possible.
treatment and prevention
Your treatment will vary depending on the cause of the brown discharge. If you have a vaginal infection, for example, your doctor will prescribe antifungals or antibiotics, depending on the type of infection you have. (Want to talk to a doctor about it? Click here to chat with a doctor in minutes.)
To prevent infections that can cause an abnormal discharge, usually characterized by a four odor and a gray or green color, vaginal hygiene is important:
If you constantly have brown discharge or spotting and it bothers you, see your OB/GYN. they may consider prescribing a new birth control method with more estrogen that can help stop spotting. Hormonal contraception can also help control chronic menstrual pain caused by conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome or endometriosis.
Starting in your twenties, it’s important to schedule cervical screenings with your doctor annually to ensure early detection of cancer. Men and women can also be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common cause of cervical cancer.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (Acog) recommends Pap tests every three years for women ages 21 to 29, and Pap or HPV tests every three to five years for women ages 30 to 65.
when to see a doctor
If you experience occasional brown discharge, it’s usually nothing to worry about. however, if the brown discharge lasts for several weeks, occurs frequently after intercourse, has an unpleasant odor, or occurs after menopause, you should talk to your doctor.
In addition, if you experience any of the following symptoms along with brown discharge, you should see your doctor:
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