Let’s be honest: discharge happens. It’s a normal part of having a healthy vagina and regular menstrual cycle. The tricky thing can be figuring out what kind of discharge is normal versus what might be a sign of an underlying health issue. Show
And if you’ve recently noticed brown discharge in your underwear (especially if you haven’t seen it before), you might be feeling concerned. In most cases, brown discharge before or after your period is completely normal and is not a cause for alarm. All you need to do is wear a panty liner 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 look out for. What Is Brown Discharge?Have you ever put a band-aid over a cut, then taken it off the next day to reveal a dried, brown stain? That’s what happens when blood is exposed to oxygen: it turns from red to brown through a process aptly named oxidation. So, it’s not a stretch to understand that your menstrual blood can do the same thing. Brown vaginal discharge before or after your period is exactly that, and usually not something to worry about. Through a natural process of oxidation, blood that is exposed to oxygen turns from red to brown. Before your period, brown discharge can be due to just a small amount of bleeding and therefore a very light blood flow. It takes time for blood to flow from your cervix until you see it, and during this time, the blood gets older. The oxidation of that old blood makes it appear brown by the time it gets to your underwear. Following your period, brown discharge is in most cases simply blood that has taken a little longer to be expelled. If you’re spotting between periods, blood may mix with your usual white vaginal discharge, resulting in a brown, thick, rubber-like consistency. All of this is totally normal and fine. Get A Second OpinionSign up for the K Health newsletter to get the inside perspective on your health, straight from doctors at K Health. Types of Vaginal DischargeVaginal discharge is a normal part of everyday life for women. It’s composed of fluids from the vagina and cervix that carry away dead cells and bacteria, keeping your vagina clean and protecting you from infection. In 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 one woman to another. It’s a good idea to get to know your own menstrual cycle and discharge patterns so that you can notice any irregularities. If your menstrual cycle has always been irregular, it might be worth seeing an OB/GYN to figure out the cause. Types of vaginal discharge during your menstrual cycle include:
Explore vaginal discharge symptoms & treatment outcomesTop conditionsShades and Consistency of Brown DischargeBrown vaginal discharge may look different depending on when and why it occurs. Light brown dischargeThis results from white or clear vaginal discharge mixing with menstrual blood. It’s a sign of light bleeding or spotting, and it’s usually thick and rubbery in consistency. Dark brown dischargeThis is most likely to occur right around your period. The discharge is dark brown because of blood oxidizing once it exits your vagina and comes in contact with open air. Black dischargeIf your vaginal discharge is black in color, it could be a sign of particularly heavy menstrual bleeding. But if it has a strong smell or if you’re feeling excessive pain or discomfort (beyond your usual period cramping), it could be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or a rare but serious health issue like cancer. Thin vs. Thick vs. Clumpy Brown DischargeDuring menstruation, your body sheds its uterine lining, and the result is a mix of blood, mucus, and endometrial cells. What this means is that your discharge consistency can vary quite a bit each day of your period. It might be thin and watery on some days and thick and clumpy on others. There are many possible causes of brown discharge. In most cases, brown discharge is nothing to be concerned about. However, brown discharge can indicate a possible health issue if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, such as vaginal itching, pain, a strong odor, or changes to your menstrual cycle. If you experience brown discharge unexpectedly, there are a variety of different possible causes: Early pregnancyIf you’re in the early stages of pregnancy, you might have light bleeding or brown spotting. In fact, as many as 30% of pregnant people have light bleeding or brown spotting during their first trimester. This is normal, but you should still call your doctor or health care provider to check that everything is alright. Birth control implantSome contraception methods like IUDs or implants release the progestin hormone into your body to prevent you from getting pregnant. As your body adjusts to the new form of birth control, you might experience side effects such as irregular menstruation, spotting, breakthrough bleeding and brown discharge. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)PID is an infection of the cervix and uterus that can sometimes result in brown discharge. It’s usually caused by an untreated STI like gonorrhea or chlamydia. Other PID symptoms include pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis, pain during sex, fever, painful urination, and heavy discharge with a bad smell. PID is a serious medical condition that needs prompt evaluation and treatment. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)Some STIs, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, can cause you to have brown discharge or spotting when you don’t have your period. Other symptoms include vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor, pain during sex, 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 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. EndometriosisEndometriosis 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. PerimenopauseThis 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. These changes can often lead to brown discharge following 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 test or gynecological examIt’s normal to experience some 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 inside the walls of your vagina or cervical lining. If you experience this without any other symptoms, you don’t usually need to worry about it. Reaction to vigorous sexIf you’ve recently had vigorous sex, vaginal irritation can cause light 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 pregnancyOccasionally after unprotected sex, a fertilized egg will attach itself outside your uterine cavity, causing an ectopic pregnancy. This is rare, but when it happens, it’s serious and requires medical care ASAP to prevent life-threatening complications. Signs of ectopic pregnancy include light bleeding and spotting, severe abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, and lightheadedness. Cervical cancerIn extremely rare cases, brown discharge could be a sign of cervical cancer if it’s accompanied by symptoms including painful intercourse, heavy or prolonged periods, bleeding between periods, unusual weight loss, or weakness. 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. Brown discharge and your period: What’s normal and when to worryWhy is my period blood sometimes brown?Brown blood can look alarming if you’re expecting 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 changed to a dark brown color. 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. What does black period blood mean?Black period blood can be a sign of oxidation combined with heavy bleeding. If it occurs around the same time you usually menstruate (in combination with red and brown blood), it’s usually nothing to worry about. 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. Why is my discharge sometimes brown before my period?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. What if I just have brown discharge instead of my period?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. If you’ve recently had unprotected sex and start experiencing mild cramping, nausea, fatigue, and sensitive breasts, it’s worth getting a pregnancy test. What to Watch For and Risk FactorsPregnancy, birth, and miscarriageBrown 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. If you have recently had unprotected sex and have brown discharge instead of a period, it’s definitely a smart move to get a pregnancy test. (Pro tip: The drugstore versions are just as effective as anything you can get at a doctor’s office—plus, they’re way cheaper.) If you’re pregnant and experience a small amount of brown discharge, it is usually nothing to worry about but it’s important to speak 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 cramps, so if you are experiencing cramping along with unusual discharge, it may be worth calling your doctor. If you’ve recently given birth, it’s normal to have pink or brown discharge for up to six weeks postpartum. This is called lochia. Brown vaginal discharge with unpleasant smellIf 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. The unpleasant smell is the key indicator that something isn’t normal, and it’s worth contacting your doctor ASAP. Treatment and PreventionYour treatment will vary depending on what’s causing the brown discharge. If you’re suffering from a vaginal infection, for example, your doctor will prescribe you antifungals or antibiotics, depending on the kind of infection you have. (Want to talk to a doctor about it? Click here to chat with a clinician in minutes.) To prevent infections that can cause abnormal discharge—usually characterized by a four odor and gray or green color—vaginal hygiene is important:
If you are constantly having brown discharge or spotting and it’s bothering you, ask your OB/GYN. They may consider prescribing a new birth control method with higher estrogen that can help stop the spotting. Hormonal contraception can also help manage chronic menstrual pain from conditions like PCOS or endometriosis. Starting in your early 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 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 21-29, and Pap or HPV testing every three to five years for women ages 30-65. Get A Second OpinionSign up for the K Health newsletter to get the inside perspective on your health, straight from doctors at K Health. When to See a DoctorIf you experience occasional brown discharge, it’s usually not a cause for concern. However, if the brown discharge lasts for several weeks, frequently happens after sex, has an unpleasant smell, or occurs after your menopause, you should speak to your doctor. Additionally, if you experience any of the symptoms below alongside brown discharge, you should consult with your doctor:
How K Health Can HelpDid you know you can access online urgent care with K Health? Check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed, text with a healthcare provider in minutes. K Health’s AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and is based on 20 years of clinical data. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does brown discharge mean? There are many possible causes of brown discharge. In most cases, brown discharge is nothing to be concerned about. However, brown discharge can indicate a possible health issue if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, such as vaginal itching, pain, a strong odor, or changes to your menstrual cycle. Can a yeast infection cause brown discharge? Brown discharge alone is typically not a sign of a yeast infection. However, if you experience brown discharge with other symptoms like itching or burning, that may indicate that you have a yeast infection. Talk to a doctor about your symptoms to get proper treatment. Is light brown discharge normal in early pregnancy? Yes. Light brown discharge instead of a period is normal during pregnancy. If you experience light brown discharge along with other symptoms, consider talking to your physician to ensure you are not experiencing complications. Is it normal to get brown discharge instead of your period? Yes! This is normal. Sometimes months your uterus has less tissue to clear than others - when this happens, you'll experience brown discharge instead of a full period. It is typically nothing to worry about, but if you find this happening month over month, talk to your doctor. K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Is dark brown discharge normal during pregnancy?Brown. Discharge is usually brown due to old blood leaving the body, which can be an early symptom of pregnancy. Brown discharge during pregnancy is not generally a cause for concern. However, pregnant women who experience dark brown discharge should contact their doctor.
Does Brown discharge mean your having a miscarriage?Bleeding – light bleeding early in pregnancy is fairly common, and does not mean you will have a miscarriage. Brown discharge: This may look like coffee grounds. This “discharge” is actually old blood that has been in the uterus for a while and is just coming out slowly.
How much brown discharge is normal during pregnancy?Fluctuations in vaginal pH can result in small amounts of brown discharge. This is typically not concerning, as it usually lasts for 2 to 3 days and resolves spontaneously.
When should I be worried about discharge during pregnancy?You should tell your midwife or doctor if your vaginal discharge increases a lot in later pregnancy. If you have any vaginal bleeding in pregnancy, you should contact your midwife or doctor urgently, as it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem such as a miscarriage or a problem with the placenta.
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