Dark Brown Discharge Instead Of Period

Dark Brown Discharge And Missed Period

What causes brown discharge instead of periods? – Dr. Teena S Thomas

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There are several reasons for brown discharge, I will list some below –

Interested in finding out why a woman could get a brown discharge instead of a normal period? You should remain aware of your own body and if things appear to be different, be sure to get it checked. In some instances and special conditions, a woman may experience brown vaginal discharge instead of a normal regular period. Heres why.

1. Delayed Periods

– A brown vaginal discharge instead of a period usually occurs due to late periods.

– Sometimes if the lining is not eliminated, the residual can remain within the uterus for almost a month.

– In this condition, a womans body expels an old uterine lining.

– These discharges are normally observed for nearly three days after which a woman should get her usual period.

– If the menstrual flow does not follow the discharge, you must seek immediate medical help.

– In majority instances, a brown discharge is just the remains of a delayed period.

2. Hormonal Imbalance

– In nearly 25% of all cases, hormonal imbalance is regarded as the key reason for discharge that occurs instead of periods.

– Brown discharge instead of a regular period can also be a symptom of hormonal dysfunction and/or hormonal imbalance.

– This imbalance can be experienced due to Polycystic Ovarian Diseases , Ovarian Premature Failure and Endometriosis.

3. Implantation Hemorrhaging

– This burrowing causes brown vaginal discharge instead of periods.

Is It Normal To Have Brown Discharge

Although it may look daunting, brown vaginal discharge is usually nothing to worry about. Sometimes your period can leave some traces of blood behind in your vagina that later get carried out by your daily discharge. It can be worrying if you are unsure what it is, but brown discharge is just vaginal mucus that is saturated in old blood. Since the blood may have stayed there for some time, it turns a darker colour, which explains the brown tinge to your discharge. As long as your discharge isnt carrying a strong, bad odour, you most likely have nothing to worry about.

What Is Brown Discharge

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.

Brown discharge can occur for a variety of reasons, including.

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When Do Periods Stop

Your periods will continue until you reach the menopause, which usually happens when you are in your late 40s to mid-50s. In the UK the average age of menopause is 51.

Your periods may start to become less frequent over a few months or years before stopping altogether. In some cases they can stop suddenly.

Its The Product Of Implantation Bleeding

Brown Discharge Instead of Period: What it Means?

Sometimes implantation bleeding that indicates early conception or pregnancy can be confused with dark brown or black period blood. Dark blood after implantation bleeding is very rare, though.

Implantation bleeding sometimes appears 10 to 14 days after a fertilized egg implants itself into the uterine lining. The flow lasts for just a couple of days and is usually light, but may become black if it leaves the vagina too slowly. Apart from spotting, other signs of early pregnancy and implantation include swollen and tender breasts and fatigue.

Implantation bleeding doesnt occur in all pregnancies. If you do experience implantation bleeding or suspect you may be pregnant, be sure to visit your health care provider.

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When To See A Doctor

Seeing spotting instead of a period one month may not be a reason for concern. For example, if youre very stressed one month or perhaps skip your period because youre nearing menopause, your regular flow may return the following month with no treatment needed.

If your spotting is being caused by medical conditions, such as PCOS, thyroid issues, or STIs, you may experience other symptoms that prompt you to call your doctor. The same goes with possible pregnancy. Pay attention to the other symptoms youre experiencing along with spotting and make an appointment.

Always call your doctor if your spotting is accompanied by:

  • pain

Dark Brown Discharge Instead Of Period Perimenopause Or Menopause

Perimenopause is a naturally occurring transition period of women life which is happening before menopause it is the time when your body begins its transition into menopause. Perimenopause is the stage of womens reproductive life that begins several years before menopause, when the ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogens. It usually starts in womens 40s, but can start in womens 30s.

Perimenopause is a transitional stage of 2-11 years before complete cessation of the menstrual period. Perimenopause develops when womens reproductive system begins slowing down, resulting in decreased production of hormones . Perimenopause is the interval in which womens body makes a natural shift from regular menstrual cycles and regular monthly ovulations to irregular menstrual cycles, anovulation and natural permanent infertility.

In general, dark brown discharge instead of period is common symptom for starting perimenopause. In early perimenopause women could also experience menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleep disruption, vaginal dryness, and a lot of confusion. Perimenopause symptoms including dark brown discharge occur as estrogen levels continue to drop leading up to menopause.

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Brown Vaginal Discharge With Unpleasant Smell

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. The unpleasant smell is the key indicator that something isnt normal, and its worth contacting your doctor ASAP.

Dark Brown Discharge Instead Of Period Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

What Is the Ruling of Brownish Discharge Before and After Menses?

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious infection in the upper genital tract which called female reproductive organs . PID can be sexually transmitted or naturally occurring. In most cases PID is caused by a type of bacteria, often the same type that is responsible for several sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. In some cases, PID develops from bacteria that have traveled through the vagina and the cervix by way of an intrauterine device (IUD.

PID can affect the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and/or the ovaries. It can lead to pelvic adhesion and scar tissue that develops between internal organs, causing ongoing pelvic pain and the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy. PID could be a reason of dark brown discharge instead of period, infertility . In fact, PID is currently the leading cause of female infertility. If left untreated, PID can also lead to chronic infection and chronic dark brown discharge instead of period.

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Period Blood Consistency And Texture Meaning

The texture and consistency of your period blood can be a sign of the health of your uterus lining. Period blood is also made up of endometrial tissue, so the texture varies as a result of this. Whether its thick or clumpy, or smooth and light different flow viscosity is normal throughout your period and no cause for alarm.

Normal Discharge: What It Looks Like

Vaginal discharge is that white stuff that comes out from your vagina. It is a natural way the vagina is constantly kept clean. It is made up of cells from the vagina, bacteria, and cervical mucus. Normal discharge is white in color. However, it could be yellow, pink and brown and still be normal.

It can be a thick white mucus discharge or watery clear discharge.

Yellow vaginal discharge is due to an infection in most women. However, normal white vaginal discharge when exposed to air can turn yellow. This yellow discharge may be normal without any other infection symptoms like smell and vaginal itching. Learn more about yellow vaginal discharge

Pink vaginal discharge may also be normal and is due to a mixture of blood and your vaginal discharge. It is not really a problem when it lasts for a few days. Learn more about pink vaginal discharge.

Other forms of discharge you should know are

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What Causes Early Miscarriage

Almost nothing you can do will cause an early miscarriage. Avoiding sex or heavy work will not impact an early pregnancy. There are a lot of changes that need to occur with the cells and genes in a developing pregnancy, and sometimes those changes do not happen perfectly. There are some health conditions or habits that can increase the chance that an early miscarriage will occur, including:

  • Heavy smoking
  • Physical problems with the uterus, including fibroids or abnormalities of development of the uterus

Delayed Or Partial Periods

Brown Stringy Discharge, Pregnancy, Dark, Period, Light, 9 ...

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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Can Late Period Cause Brown Discharge

If you miss a period, you may have brownish discharge in place of a regular period or have it sometime after your period would have ended. PCOS and perimenopause are common causes. You may also experience missed periods followed by brown discharge if youve recently started using a new hormonal birth control.

Bright Red To Dark Red Or Dark Brown

Healthy Period

A healthy blood color ranges from bright red to dark red or brown, depending on how new the blood shed from the uterus is. Some people might describe their old period blood as black, but this can be a sign for something else .

Egg Implantation Spotting

Less likely, brown period blood could also be spotting from egg implantation light bleeding that can occur in the very early stages of pregnancy.

Ovarian Cysts and Lochia

Lochia is natural bleeding that occurs after having a baby. It is mild-to-heavy and lasts around 6-8 weeks after birth, but youll know if youve given birth recently. This colour of period blood may also be a sign of ovarian cysts. Cysts on your ovaries can often go unnoticed, but if youre worried or experiencing other symptoms, like pain during and after sex, or bloating of your abdomen, you should book in to see your doctor.

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Is Brown Discharge Normal On Birth Control Pills

  • Reviewed By: Julie Lamonoff, CNM, OBGYN-NP, Shannon DeVita DNP, FNP-BC, CPNP-PC

Everyone who menstruates has a different experience. Even if your period is fairly consistent, some variation between cycles is completely normal.

Take brown discharge, which can be an eyebrow-raising experience, but is no cause for concern, even when you’re not on birth control. Your period may be different on birth control and one of the most common side effects of birth control pills is spotting or bleeding between periods . This could be the source of what looks like brown discharge.

Here’s a bit more information about what’s happening behind the scenes when you experience this side effect and when to see a doctor. If you’re worried that it could be abnormal or continues for longer than 2-3 months, make sure to contact your health provider.

And if you’d like advice today, click here to see if you’re eligible to chat with our medical team for free.

Brown Discharge After Period

Brown Discharge Not On Period Is This Early Pregnancy Sign?

It is the remaining blood coming from the vagina. Generally, on the last day of the period, you get a dark brown colored vaginal discharge. If it occurs 2 weeks after the period then it is not usual, and it could be ovulation of next cycle. Menstrual cycle fluctuates and thus if the second cycle is coming earlier then brown discharge after period is a sign of next ovulation.

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Abnormal Causes Of Brown Discharge

The common normal discharge in women is white vaginal discharge. It may be thick when you are close to your period or watery clear discharge in the middle of your menstrual cycle. This is normal.

In addition, white discharge can turn yellow on contact with air. A brown spotting with no vaginal itching or foul smelling is normal in women.

The commonest cause of abnormal brown discharge in women is PID . It is due to ascending infection that affects the fallopian tubes. If you experience brown discharge with fever, low abdomen pain, vaginal discharge with odor then its important to see your doctor.

Also, previous abnormal discharge due to vaginal infections could be a problem. If you experience difficulty in getting pregnant, then you should see your doctor. This is because PID can cause infertility in women. PID can also distort the fallopian tubes causing ectopic pregnancy.

Dark Brown Discharge Instead Of Period

Sometimes women experience dark brown discharge instead of period. Why women could have dark brown discharge instead of period?

Dark brown discharge is a symptom of old blood and/or old uterine lining which did not left the uterus at right time . Often the dark brown discharge is just remains of delayed period most often associated with old endometrial tissues .

When women get late period or following period with old cellular lining actually removed together with other blood cellular material, they can experience the dark brown discharge instead of period. Brown discharge is normally just old blood that has been oxidized and left uterus and/or vagina late or later.

Sometimes dark brown discharge could be a symptom of the damages of endometrial cells or a symptom of endometrial changes because of hormonal dysfunctions or a symptom of pregnancy etc., etc.

There are only few causes of dark brown discharge which should be considered as a serious cervical cancer, ovarian cancer and sexually transmitted diseases.

Dark brown discharge instead of period could be a symptom of several health conditions and/or diseases:

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Is A Dark Brown Discharge Instead Of Period A Sign Of Pregnancy

When, instead of your normal period, you are greeted by a dark brown discharge and mild cramps, chances are high that you will be pregnant. This kind of discharge is called implantation bleeding and the slight abdominal pain is implantation cramping.

Implantation bleeding occurs when the egg, after being fertilized by a sperm in the fallopian tube, attaches itself to the wall of the uterus where it will grow into a baby for the next nine months.

The dark brown discharge instead of a period is a sign that the blood in the discharge is not fresh bleeding but rather old blood that was released a while back.

This is because implantation occurs about a week before the period and the blood would have been released a few days before it appears as a discharge.

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