Can Brown Discharge Occur Due To Infections
The abnormal brown discharge accompanied by several other complications and symptoms may be something you need to consult with your gynecologist.
There may be certain infections that cause abnormal brown discharge. If you observe brown discharge for several days and it does not stop on its own, it is wise to visit a professional and get help. Certain infections or diseases that cause brown discharge are:
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Brown discharge that occurs due to any of the aforementioned issues has other symptoms as well. Here are the other symptoms that accompany brown discharge in case of serious infection:
- Fishy or Foul smell from the discharge
- Itching or irritation in or around the vaginal area
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Burning sensation or pain while urinating
- Abdominal Cramps or tenderness
- Mild or heavy fever
You should not take these symptoms casually, as they can get severe with time. So, waste no time and consult a gynecologist to the soonest when you observe discomfort or pain accompanied by brown discharge during pregnancy.
*Disclaimer: The content is written and reviewed as per the expertise and knowledge of the author and reviewer. For a final call related to ailment, we highly recommend people to Consult with a Specialized Doctor and take necessary decisions as per the Doctors suggestions.
Do Missed Periods Cause It
In some cases, brown discharge may come in place of a period.
For example, a withdrawal bleed which occurs when a person using a birth control pill takes inactive pills or no pills for a few days a month may sometimes cause brown discharge rather than bleeding that resembles typical menstrual bleeding.
- pain when urinating or during sex
- foul smelling discharge
Pregnant people should talk to a doctor about unexpected changes in their discharge. These will usually not be cause for concern, but they can sometimes be a sign of an underlying issue.
First Things First: Brown Blood Is Not A Cause For Concern On Its Own
Though brown blood can be a surprise, it is not out of the ordinary. In fact, this kind of blood can be common toward the end of your cycle. While your blood is normally red in the first few days of your cycle when your body sheds its uterine lining, discharged blood at the end of your period is oxidized and can be discolored.
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How To Stop Spotting After Period
While bleeding isnt necessarily normal after a period ends, its not usually a cause for concern. It is quite common to spot in-between periods. But, how do you make your spotting stop? Aside from keeping your general health in check and taking care of any existing medical conditions, theres not much you can do to stop spotting on your own after your period. If you are spotting, consult with a doctor about what can be done to stop spotting after your period.
Normal vaginal bleeding occurs each month during a womans menstrual period. During different stages of your life, you may experience different levels of vaginal bleeding. Basically, bleeding between menstrual cycles refers to vaginal bleeding that occurs after your period. Blood loss afer a menstrual cycle can be light, heavy, or both.
You may ask, If I have already had my period, why am I spotting? A number of things can cause blood spotting after the period is over. It may be due to changes in your hormone levels, the use of hormonal contraception or contraceptive devices, an infection, or an injury.
What Is A Period
Also called a period, menstruation occurs when the lining of a female’s uterus is shed through a flow of blood. It’s a crucial part of the menstrual cycle, which is a normal and healthy process that prepares your body for a potential pregnancy.
The hormone-driven menstrual cycle typically lasts 28 days. The first day is when you begin your period , which usually ends after about three to five days. This time in your cycle is also referred to as menses.
Somewhere around day 14 is when you ovulate. If an egg doesn’t get fertilized after this stage, your hormone levels drop and the egg begins to dissolve around day 25.
In addition to bleeding, other signs of menstruation include:
It’s normal for women to sometimes experience brown discharge before, during, or after menstruating. It may appear as spotting, which is the presence of blood during the wrong stages of your cycle. This darker discharge is usually a thicker consistency and slower flow than typical menstruation, and is usually caused by old blood coming from your uterus.
In rare cases, brown discharge before your period may be cause for concern. If you’re experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding of any kind, it’s best to reach out to your doctor so they can rule out any underlying conditions.
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External Causes Of Brown Discharge
- Trauma or Medical Examination: If youve experienced rough sex or a medical exam like a Pap test, you may also experience vaginal bleeding.
- Medications: Certain medications may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding. Your pharmacist should advise you of any side-effects of medication.
- Stress: Increased stress may trigger many reactions. Stress may cause all kinds of changes in your body, including irregularities in your menstrual cycle. Some may experience vaginal bleeding due to high levels of emotional stress.
What You Can Do About Brown Discharge
If youre not pregnant and you experience brown discharge right before or after your period, around ovulation or occasionally after sex, its more than likely totally normal.
While you can check in with your doctor if you’re concerned, your best bet may be to simply take a mental note of when it occurs and use a panty liner until it goes away.
In the majority of cases, brown discharge is no big deal just normal bleeding, from a normal reason , that took a little longer than usual to make its exit.
From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
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Are There Different Types Of Brown Discharge
Even though brown discharge can occur during different stages of your cycle, its always caused by old blood. There are different reasons for why that blood appears.
Thats why using a period tracker like Flo can be so helpful. These apps allow you to log any symptoms you have itchiness, abdominal pain, brown mucusy discharge, etc. so that its easier to understand why youre experiencing brown discharge.
Brown Discharge After Missed Period
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Effect Of Brownish Discharges On Prayer And Fasting
But this brownish discharge does invalidate wudu, so if you did wudu for Fajr prayer after this came out, then your prayer is valid and you do not have to do anything. If it came out after you did wudu and you did not repeat wudu, then you have to repeat that prayer because you prayed without wudu.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz was asked in Majmoo al-Fatawa :
I noticed that when doing ghusl following my monthly period, which usually lasts for five days, sometimes a very small amount comes out of me, immediately after doing ghusl. Then after that nothing comes out. I do not know whether I should assume that my regular period is five days and whatever comes after that does not count, and I should fast and pray and I dont have to do anything else because of that, or I should regard that day as part of my period and not pray and fast then? Please note that this does not always happen, rather it is approximately every two or three cycles.
He replied:
If what comes out of you after you have purified yourself is yellowish or brownish, then it should not be regarded as anything that matters, rather it comes under the same ruling as urine. But if it is obviously blood, then it should be regarded as part of the period, so you have to repeat your ghusl, because of the report from Umm Atiyyah , who was one of the companions of the Prophet . She said: We used not to regard yellowish or brownish discharge after purification as being anything that mattered.
He replied:
They replied:
Follow My Babys Growth
Brown discharge may be a sign of many things, from the implantation of an embryo to an impending period. However, there are some warning signs that you should keep in mind when it comes to vaginal discharge. And if youre worried that youre experiencing abnormal discharge, its always wise to go see a health care provider.
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Can Brown Vaginal Discharge Be A Sign Of Pregnancy
Brown discharge may be a sign of implantation bleeding. This occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. As it does, it creates a small amount of bleeding. You might notice implantation bleeding as brown discharge when wiping after urination.
Implantation bleeding tends to occur around the same time you expect your period. Although its usually very light, for some people, it is a bit heavier and resembles a period. So, if youve had unprotected sex and experience brown discharge and cramps instead of a period, it could be a good idea to take a pregnancy test .
Brown discharge during pregnancy usually may not signal a serious problem. However, brown discharge during pregnancy can also be a sign of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and other dangerous conditions. If youre pregnant and experience brown discharge, talk to your health care provider. Its always better to be safe!
How To Deal With Brown Discharge After Period
Most of the time, brown discharge after period is not anything serious to worry about. So in dealing with a brown discharge, sometimes waiting for a short time will help to eliminate this condition.
If it persists and if it takes on additional symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, bleeding or burning in the uterus, mood swings and painful intercourse, you should take this symptom more seriously.
You may have to undergo a pap test, speak to your gynecologist about medications to handle this situation, or adjust your diet and lifestyle. If it is considered a very serious situation, you may have to commit to chemotherapy or additional testing to further diagnose the cause and find a proper treatment.
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Brown Discharge After Period Why
1. Early Menopause
The first cause for brown discharge could be early menopause. Spotting after your period is part of the transition from regular menstrual cycle to menopause. As long as it is not accompanied by cramping and heavy bleeding, you don’t have to worry about anything serious.
2. Delayed Period
It is normal to find some brown spotting after your period, especially if your period is late. After your delayed period, your body has to clean the remaining shedding of uterus lining, which could cause brown discharge. There is no need to worry but if it continues and appears to get heavy, contact your physician.
3. Bleeding from Implantation
If the brown discharge occurs around 3 or 4 weeks after your last period, if you have recently stopped your birth control pills and if you have unprotected sex, then this brown discharge could be a sign of implantation bleeding, which means you might be pregnant.
4. Stress
If you are always stressing out about something, or you have just been under a lot of pressure recently, it may be affecting your periods and causing you to have brown discharge between cycles. Stress could also cause your fertility levels to fluctuate, making it hard for you to conceive.
5. Hormonal Fluctuations
6. Damage to a Reproductive Organ
One area of concern regarding brown discharge is that it could be blood from some kind of damages to one of the reproductive organs. You may have had a polyp or an abrasion that occurred on the uterus or the cervix.
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 , its 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.
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When Should I Be Concerned About Brown Discharge
Brown discharge may be caused by a number of completely natural causes that pose no risk to your health. However, I cannot stress enough that in certain circumstances it can also be a sign of a more serious problem that requires medical attention. Typically, this is only the case if the brown discharge you notice is accompanied by other symptoms.
These are some of the other possible causes of brown discharge and the symptoms that will often accompany it:
Delayed Or Partial Periods
Menstruation occurs when your hormones tell your body that you havenât gotten pregnant this cycle causing your body to expel the endometrial lining in preparation for your next cycle.
Sometimes, your body isnât able to completely expel all the endometrial lining immediately leaving a small amount in the uterus. Over the course of your next cycle, you might notice pink or brown spotting in your underwear or when you wipe.
This is just the rest of the endometrial cells being expelled. While it might appear alarming, in most cases it is nothing to worry about. However, if this becomes a regular occurrence then it is best to let your doctor know.
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Is Brown Discharge A Cause For Concern
Since the color brown or a brownish hue is not inherently troublesome, then, how concerned do you need to be about brown vaginal discharge after your period?
Well, just like spotting more generally, brown discharge can have a number of causes. Some brown discharge is not considered itself abnormal or troublesome BUT, it really depends on the cause and other symptoms you might experience in conjunction with brown discharge.
Brown Discharge After Period When To See A Doctor
Most cases of brown discharge after your period are normal and not connected with any serious medical condition. Some women regularly have some spots of brown discharge between periods due to stress, ovulation, or other factors that can be to blame.
However, if you have heavy spotting or bleeding between periods, then you should see your doctor. According to doctors from the Mayo Clinic, you should see a doctor for abnormal discharge in the following circumstances:
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Brown Discharge: Whats Going On
Have you ever noticed that all blood stains get darker over time usually ending up close to a brown color when dry?
This is a simple chemical reaction: When blood is exposed to oxygen it changes color.
And so if you experience brown discharge, its usually because that blood has been exposed to oxygen. In that way, its usually considered old blood, as opposed to the fresh blood of your heavy period days.
Sometimes that old blood can mix with vaginal discharge so it appears like brown discharge rather than bleeding.
Brown Discharge After Period: What Does It Mean
Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer Health
Brown discharge after period is fairly common and usually means that there is old menstrual blood getting cleaned out. Noticing some light to dark brown spotting after your period has ended doesnt always mean there is something to worry about. Many women experience some dark spotting after their period as part of their regular menstrual cycle.
Some of the reasons for spots of brown discharge after your period can be due to ovulation, stress, or taking birth control. In some cases, implantation bleeding can cause rust-colored discharge a couple of weeks after your period has finished. However, if you notice brown discharge on your underwear after your period with other symptoms like abdominal cramping or an irregular period, this can be a sign of another health problem like ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids.
If you are worried about what brown discharge means, then this article will help you discern the reasons for brown discharge. In most cases, brown discharge only means that you should observe your monthly cycle to look for other symptoms or changes to your period before getting overly anxious.
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What Is Bleeding Between Periods
After puberty and before menopause, women experience normal vaginal bleeding each month during their menstrual period. Normal vaginal bleeding, or a period, varies widely between women and can be different for you at different stages of your life. Generally, all women experience a menstrual period around once a month, approximately every 21 to 35 days, and it can last anywhere between 1 and 7 days.
Bleeding between periods is any vaginal bleeding that occurs outside of a normal period. Bleeding between periods may be similar to a normal period, may be heavier with a larger blood loss, or may be a very light blood loss . Bleeding between periods may be once off or may last for a number of days.