Less commonly, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition. Brown discharge before a period is typically a vaginal discharge that contains blood. Brown discharge that occurs when a period is not due may cause worry. However, brown discharge before a period is not typically a cause for concern. This article explores the various causes of brown discharge before a period. It discusses what this may mean if a person is pregnant, not pregnant, or approaching menopause.
The article also looks at other more serious causes of brown discharge, and when to see a doctor. Vaginal discharge often occurs on an almost daily basis. Typically, vaginal discharge is thin and clear or white. Sometimes, it may be other colors. When vaginal discharge is brown, it likely contains small amounts of old blood.
Old blood that has taken longer to come out of the uterus may be brown. A doctor should be consulted if brown discharge causes concern.
Pink or brown discharge or spotting before a period may be an early sign of pregnancy. Not every pregnant person will experience this symptom, but some do. This discharge is caused by implantation bleeding that can happen when the fertilized egg burrows into the uterus lining. Implantation bleeding can occur 1 to 2 weeks after the egg has been fertilized. Anyone who experiences implantation bleeding following unprotected sex should take a pregnancy test.
Anyone who is pregnant and experiences dark brown discharge should speak to a doctor. However, brown discharge during pregnancy is not usually a cause for concern. In rare cases, it may indicate an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. Starting or switching hormonal birth control methods can cause discharge to be red, pink, or brown.
Any hormonal birth control can create a hormonal imbalance, which can lead to breakthrough bleeding. Low levels of certain hormones may influence when and how the uterus sheds its lining, which may lead to spotting in the form of pinkish-brown discharge. This spotting is common when people first begin to menstruate and when they are about to enter menopause.
Many infections, including common sexually transmitted infections STIs , can cause spotting or pinkish-brown discharge. Implantation occurs when a fertilized egg implants into the wall of the uterus. Some people may notice a light spotting or pinkish discharge when this happens. This process often occurs around the same time that the individual would expect to get their next period. As a result, they may confuse implantation bleeding with a light menstrual cycle.
After implantation bleeding occurs, the early signs of pregnancy tend to follow. These typically include:. Sometimes a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in one of the two fallopian tubes. When this happens, the embryo cannot develop properly, which tends to cause complications. One of the first signs of ectopic pregnancy is unusual vaginal bleeding, which may be pink or brown. Generally, bleeding will be lighter or heavier than regular menstruation, and the following symptoms will occur alongside it:.
Anyone who is concerned that their pregnancy might be ectopic should seek emergency medical attention. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on the ovaries.
Sometimes, an ovarian cyst will not resolve but will grow larger instead. If this happens, it can cause abnormal discharge between periods. Some people with ovarian cysts will not have any symptoms, but others may experience the following alongside the abnormal discharge:.
You may see red, brown, and even black blood during your period. Here's what the different period blood colors mean and when to see your doctor.
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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. See a doctor Is brown discharge a cause for concern? Beginning or end of your period.
Hormonal imbalance in your menstrual cycle. Hormonal contraception. Ovulation spotting. Ovarian cyst. Berens, M. FYI: That process is called oxidization—when red blood mixes with air and turns a brownish hue. Another potential cause: Your birth-control methods. The same goes for other hormonal methods of birth control that contain progestin, along with a lower dose of estrogen like the Pill, patch, or vaginal ring —they might cause spotting or darker colored discharge.
That spotting or darker colored discharge comes from lower levels of estrogen in the body, which makes the uterine lining less stable—and when that happens, you're more likely to experience breakthrough bleeding that can be brown by the time you see it mixed with your discharge, says Berens. Again, brown discharge when it's related to your menstrual cycle is totally normal.
But if it's still bothersome to you, you can take steps to eliminate it by switching to a birth-control method with a higher dose of estrogen, says Berens. Though, TBH, many women don't choose to go that route, since higher estrogen levels increase your risk of side effects like nausea and blood clots—not really a fair tradeoff for sparing your underwear.
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