Most women expect to see clear or white sticky vaginal discharge at least a few days out of the month. Not surprisingly, women become concerned when that discharge changes from its typical clear or white color to brown.
The change in color can be especially alarming if you’re not expecting your period and because it so closely resembles blood. The good news is that light brown discharge, for the most part, is nothing to be concerned about.
What Causes Vaginal Discharge?
Vaginal discharge is a perfectly normal occurrence and is comprised of the excess fluid and mucus produced by the cervix and vaginal walls. All women will have discharge from puberty right through menopause.
Discharge is the body’s way of keeping the vagina healthy and clean by removing dead skin cells and bacteria from the vaginal area. This self-cleaning process is meant as a way to prevent infections.
The hormones estrogen and progesterone have a major influence on the texture, color and amount of discharge that is produced.
What Is Light Brown Discharge?
In most cases, brown discharge is no cause for concern, but it may be a sign of pregnancy or menopause. Here are some of the most common causes of brown discharge:
- Perimenopause: During the transition stage into menopause, women may experience a change in discharge color. Brown is a common color, but yellow and pink are often seen as well. For some women, the discharge can be heavy and very uncomfortable.
- Pink or brown discharge before period can be a sign of early pregnancy.
- Implantation bleeding: A sign of early pregnancy, discharge caused by implantation is typically brown in color, and is perfectly normal. Bleeding will typically occur 10-14 days after the egg is fertilized. In most cases, the discharge appears as a single smear and will be very light.
- Old tissue: Young women will commonly experience a brown discharge before their menstrual cycle begins. The discharge is the body’s way of getting rid of old tissue in the uterus that was not shed during menstruation.
- STDs: Discharge that is light brown in color may also be a sign of sexually transmitted disease (STD). Gonorrhea, chlamydia and genital warts are a few of the most common STDs that cause discharge.
- Atrophic vaginitis: Women with atrophic vaginitis may experience pain, bleeding, brown color discharge and itching in the vaginal area. Some women will experience yellow discharge that has an unpleasant smell.
- Uterine polyps: Also known as endometrial polyps, this condition can also cause a brownish color discharge, heavy bleeding during menstruation and bleeding after intercourse.
- Ovulation: Some women may see a dark brown discharge around their time of ovulation. This is perfectly normal and will only last a few days at most.
- PID: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) can also cause dark brown discharge and requires a visit with your gynecologist. PID occurs when an infection affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, lining of the uterus, vagina and cervix. This disease can be very painful and can lead to infertility if untreated.
- Cervical cancer: Dark brown discharge can also be a sign of cervical cancer, which is a very serious condition. Cervical cancer is spread through the human papilloma virus, and its symptoms include weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, pelvic pain and leg pain.
Brown Discharge from Vagina – When to Be Concerned
When should you be concerned with brown discharge? See a gynecologist right away if you experience any of the following:
- Burning
- Itching
- Pain
- Swelling
- Pain during intercourse
- The discharge has a foul smell
A gynecologist will able to determine the cause of the discharge and advise you of the best treatment options.
Why is My Period Brown?
Brown discharge is one thing, but what about brown blood? Is it normal to experience this during your period?
In most cases, yes. During your menstruation, it is perfectly normal to experience blood of different consistencies and colors.
Most women will experience brown spotting towards the end of their periods. During the first few days of menstruation, the blood is newer and red in color.
However, as the cycle progresses, the blood flow becomes lighter and takes longer to pass through the body. Because it takes longer to leave the body, it ages before it exits and appears brown in color.
Some women may also experience brown discharge after period and during ovulation. This is perfectly normal, but if the discharge is accompanied by the symptoms listed in the above section, it’s important to see a gynecologist right away.
What Causes Brown Spotting Before a Period?
During a woman’s menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus builds up and starting filling with blood. The building up of the uterine lining is to prepare the body for a fertilized egg.
If the egg is not fertilized, the lining will be shed. Typically, the blood is red or pink, which indicates that the blood is fresh.
However, it is not uncommon for the blood to appear brown. This is merely an indication that the blood is older and has taken awhile to leave the cervix.
Brown spotting can also occur a day or two before a woman’s period begins. Brown spotting can also be a sign of trauma.
If the cervix is grazed during sex, it can cause bleeding. The blood may take a while to travel through the body to the vaginal canal.
As it travels, the blood ages and begins turning brown. Disease, such as a hormonal imbalance, can also cause this type of spotting.
When a woman has too little progesterone, for example, her periods may be lighter and brown in color. Simply put, brown spotting before your period can be normal.
However, if the bleeding stops before your period begins or if you’re experiencing it every month, see your gynecologist to rule out any serious underlying conditions. Light brown discharge or spotting is often normal and no cause for concern.
However, in some cases, it can be a sign of implantation bleeding or an underlying health condition. If the brown discharge is accompanied by other signs of early pregnancy, see your doctor right away or take a home pregnancy test to verify your pregnancy.