In most cases, brown vaginal discharge is a normal part of your menstrual cycle and not a cause for concern. But sometimes brown discharge can be a sign of an illness or infection that requires medical attention. Show
Here are six reasons for brown discharge and when to see a doctor. 1. Your period is coming or has just endedBrown discharge at the beginning of or end of your period usually occurs because the blood is moving more slowly than in the middle of your period. As the blood takes more time to leave the uterus, it oxidizes, turning from a red color to a more brown hue. How to treat it: Brown discharge at the beginning or end of your period is normal and not typically a cause for concern. But if brown discharge persists for several days or weeks after your period ends or is accompanied by an unpleasant smell, itching, or burning, reach out to your doctor as it could be a sign of infection. 2. Hormonal contraceptionSome birth control methods like IUDs or implants that release progestin can cause spotting, irregular menstruation, and brown discharge. This is more likely with birth control methods that contain little to no estrogen as a lack of estrogen can cause the lining of the uterus to shed a little at a time. And just like at the beginning or end of your period, when blood leaves the uterus slowly it oxidizes and turns brown. How to treat it: Spotting due to hormonal contraception is not usually a cause for concern and should go away about three months after having an IUD implanted or starting a low-estrogen birth control pill. But if the spotting continues and bothers you, talk with your doctor about your options for switching to a birth control method without this side effect. 3. Sexually transmitted infectionsSome sexually transmitted infections, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, can cause vaginal bleeding and brown discharge, says Mel Davis-Hall, GP, medical director at The Lowdown, a contraception prescription platform. Other symptoms of chlamydia include:
Other symptoms of gonorrhea include:
In some cases, you may not experience any symptoms with these infections. If you are sexually active, it's important to get tested for STIs often so you can receive proper treatment if you have an STI and don't realize it. Using condoms can also reduce the risk of contracting an STI or passing the infection on to someone else. How to treat it: Both chlamydia and gonorrhea are treated with antibiotics, which can clear the infection within a couple weeks. It's important to receive proper treatment as soon as possible, as untreated STIs can cause complications, like pelvic inflammatory disease. 4. Pelvic inflammatory diseasePelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the human reproductive organs often caused by bacteria from an untreated STI, like chlamydia or gonorrhea. Symptoms of PID include:
If left untreated, PID can cause severe complications, including infertility or a fatal infection, so if you are experiencing symptoms of PID, seek medical care as soon as possible, says David Kimble, MD, a urogynecologist at the Kimble Center. How to treat it: PID can be treated with antibiotics, but the potential damage the disease can do to your reproductive organs can not be reversed. 5. Uterine fibroidsUterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in your uterus that can cause brown discharge and abnormal bleeding, Davis-Hall says. Other symptoms of uterine fibroids include:
Uterine fibroids are not usually dangerous, though in some cases they can lead to complications, like blockage of the urinary tract and infertility. How to treat it: Treatment for uterine fibroids can vary depending on your health history and the severity of your fibroids and symptoms. Common treatment options include:
6. CancerThe presence of brown discharge can indicate either cervical or endometrial cancer, Kimble says. In fact, the most common sign of endometrial cancer is blood in your discharge and unusual vaginal bleeding. Other signs of endometrial cancer include:
Brown discharge is a less prevalent sign of cervical cancer but can occur, Kimble says. Seek medical care If your brown discharge is accompanied by other signs of cervical cancer, including:
How to treat it: Treatment for cervical or endometrial cancer can vary depending on the progression of the disease and your health history. But in general, treatment can include:
Regular pap smears can help reduce your risk of cervical cancer. And you can decrease your risk of endometrial cancer by maintaining a healthy lifestyle of regular exercise and a nutritional diet. Estrogen-only hormone therapy can also increase the risk of endometrial cancer, so if you are considering hormone therapy to treat symptoms of menopause, discuss this risk with your doctor. Insider's takeawayBrown discharge is often part of a normal menstrual cycle and may be present at the beginning or end of your period when blood leaves the uterus slowly. Spotting or brown discharge can also be a side effect of some types of hormonal birth control. In some cases, brown discharge can be a sign of a health condition that needs medical treatment, including an STI, pelvic inflammatory disease, or cancer. If you experience brown discharge that persists for weeks or months and is accompanied by other symptoms, like pelvic pain, an unpleasant smell, painful urination, or painful intercourse, seek medical attention.
Erin Heger is a freelance journalist located in the Kansas City area. She primarily covers stories related to healthcare policy, maternal mental health, parenting, and personal finance. Her work been featured in The Atlantic, Rewire.News, Refinery29, HuffPost, and more. Read more Read less Can birth control cause brown discharge instead of period?If you use hormonal birth control, brown spotting may be a sign of breakthrough bleeding. This is bleeding that occurs between periods as your body adjusts to the hormones from your birth control.
Should I worry about brown discharge on birth control?For women taking hormonal birth control — such as the pill, ring, shot, or patch — the appearance of some dark discharge is nothing to be concerned about. The discharge, which can also be a side effect of emergency contraception, is just the body expelling some old blood and vaginal fluid.
Does dark brown discharge count as a period?Brown discharge can be a normal part of the menstrual cycle, and it typically comes just before and after a period. In other cases, it may be the result of an underlying medical condition. If a medical condition is causing brown discharge, a person may experience other symptoms.
Why am I getting brown spotting instead of my period?Brown discharge is usually older blood that has left the uterus slowly. When it happens at the beginning or end of your period, it's usually normal. It's also likely harmless at other times in your cycle, but if it has an odor or is painful, see your healthcare provider.
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