PCOS is a fairly common hormonal condition that affects one in ten people with vaginas of reproductive age years old.
Its exact cause is unknown but likely 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 missed periods.
One 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 patches on the skin.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition that occurs when the tissue that is normally in your uterine lining starts growing in other areas, such as your ovaries, fallopian tubes, or bowels.
People with endometriosis experience irregular bleeding and heavy periods, and they may occasionally notice brown discharge from internal bleeding related to their condition. This is the stage of life when you approach menopause and your body starts adjusting to the transition. It usually occurs in your forties, but the exact age varies from person to person some people enter perimenopause an entire decade earlier. During perimenopause, your estrogen levels fluctuate, and this hormonal imbalance disrupts your menstrual cycle.
Other symptoms of perimenopause include hot flashes, vaginal dryness and pain, night sweats, and mood swings. 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. Occasionally after unprotected sex, a fertilized egg will attach itself outside your uterine cavity, causing an ectopic pregnancy. Signs of ectopic pregnancy include light bleeding and spotting, severe abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, and lightheadedness.
Regular Pap smears and gynecologic care can help prevent and detect any early signs of cervical cancer. Every person with a vagina between the ages of 21 and 65 should get these tests to stay proactive. This is due to a process called oxidation, where oxygen binds with hemoglobin a protein in your blood cells. This changes the color of old blood from red to brown. So, if your menstrual blood takes a few extra days to exit your vagina, it might be brown by the time you see it.
Black period blood can be a sign of oxidation combined with heavy bleeding. Black blood that occurs outside the window of your period, combined with a foul odor or abdominal discomfort, could be a warning sign of an STI.
This usually means you are beginning to bleed from your menstrual cycle, and that blood is mixing with other discharge to create a brown color. It might be thick, sticky, or rubber-like in consistency. No worries, though—your period should still continue as normal.
You may just be having 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. Brown discharge instead of your period could be an early sign of pregnancy. About one to two weeks after a fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining which occurs during ovulation , you may notice some pink or brown blood from implantation bleeding.
In rare cases, dark brown discharge during pregnancy can be a sign of miscarriage. Other possible signs of miscarriage include cramps, so if you are experiencing cramping along with unusual discharge, it may be worth calling your doctor. This is called lochia. If you notice brown discharge with a strong, unpleasant odor, you should speak with your doctor as it could be the sign of a vaginal infection like and STI or a retained foreign object such as a tampon.
Retained foreign objects can result in serious infections and need prompt evaluation in person. To prevent infections that can cause abnormal discharge—usually characterized by a four odor and gray or green color—vaginal hygiene is important:.
Bad-smelling brown discharge can occur if a foreign object gets left in the vagina accidentally. Objects that can cause this might include:. Anyone who notices a brown discharge with an odor should see their doctor, as they may have a retained object or vaginal infection. PCOS is a hormonal imbalance. It may cause a brown discharge from irregular, light bleeding. Other symptoms can include:. PCOS is not uncommon.
Those who suspect that they may have PCOS should speak to their doctor. There is a range of treatments available. Some treatments for PCOS may make it harder to get pregnant. A doctor can advise on the most suitable treatment for those who do want to get pregnant. Brown discharge may be a symptom of cervical cancer , but this is extremely rare. According to the National Cancer Institute, cervical cancer only affects around 0. In the unlikely event that the cause of brown discharge is cervical cancer, other symptoms may include:.
The first test a doctor will carry out for cervical cancer is a Pap test. This can detect abnormal cells in the cervix. If a doctor detects abnormal cells, they might examine the cervix using a magnifying instrument.
They may then take a tissue sample for testing in a laboratory. For those who do have cervical cancer, a doctor will carry out some imaging tests to determine its stage. Treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy , or chemotherapy. Brown discharge is unlikely to be a cause for concern and usually does not require a trip to the doctor.
Sometimes, brown discharge may indicate a more serious condition. If this is the case, it may be accompanied by other symptoms, as explored above. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should see their doctor. Read the article in Spanish. Vaginal discharge is a normal occurrence. However, changes in color or smell could signal an underlying health issue. Learn more about discharge types….
Vaginal itching with no unusual discharge is not normally a cause for concern. When am I most likely to experience brown discharge? Is thick brown discharge after your period common? Brown discharge, no period? The colour of your discharge can be linked to several factors. Brown discharge unless accompanied by other symptoms or lasting more than 3 days is rarely linked to anything alarming or worth worrying about.
If you are worried, please talk to your doctor, or even just mention it to your mum, another female relative or a friend you trust. Here are just some of the types and causes of brown discharge you may experience every now and then:. PCOS has multiple visual symptoms, one of which is brown discharge.
Brown vaginal discharge, accompanied by other symptoms like unpredictable or irregular periods, excessive body hair or acne, may mean you should get checked by a medical professional for PCOS. When on birth control that uses hormones such as the pill, the implant or IUD intrauterine device such as the coil , your body goes through a process of becoming accustomed to the change in levels of hormones being produced. When changing or starting birth control, you may notice spotting or brown discharge for a brief period of time.
Experiencing brown discharge through this hormonal change is completely normal as your body gets used to it, so try not to feel too concerned. For more information, be sure to read out guide on how contraception can impact your period. Perimenopause refers to the natural process of your body transitioning to menopause. The symptoms of perimenopause typically start a few months or even years before your periods stop, and can continue for around four years afterwards [1].
During this time, there may be changes within the consistency, colour and texture of your discharge as your menstrual cycle becomes more irregular, and eventually stops.
During pregnancy, there are multiple reasons for brown vaginal discharge — one of those being implantation bleeding. It happens when an embryo attaches itself into the side of the uterus, causing little blood vessels to burst.
Although it may seem alarming, most of the time there is no reason to worry about bleeding or discharge during pregnancy. However, if you are concerned about any of your symptoms, please do get in contact with your doctor for more information on brown spotting during early pregnancy. STI Discharge: If you are experiencing visible brown discharge before your period, along with other symptoms, it could potentially be an indicator of an STI such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. If you experience a burning sensation when peeing, strong smelling or discoloured discharge or pain during sex, please visit your local sexual health clinic.
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