What is a brown Vaginal Discharge?

Brown mucus Discharge means your vaginal discharge is mixed with some blood. A brown vaginal discharge can happen before period, after period, after sex, in early pregnancy and even during pregnancy.

For most part of your menstrual cycle your discharge should be creamy or whitish in color, odorless and not itchy.

Your vaginal discharges changes through out your menstrual cycle and it is a good indication of where you are in your cycle. And also tells what is going on in your body.

A brown discharge on your pants or when you wipe may be nothing to worry about or it could also mean a serious medical condition.

Possible Causes of Brown Stringy Discharge

Here are the possible reasons you may be experiencing a brownish discharge or brown spotting: 

1. Perimenopause

Perimenopause is defined as the menopause transition phase.

It is the period of years before a woman attains menopause (period cessation).

It usually last for 4-8 years according to the American menopause society.

During the perimenopause phase, the ovaries don't function like they use to anymore.

This results in ​a decline in egg supply and egg quality.

A decline in normal ovary function also results in hormonal fluctuations and imbalances. Whereby too much estrogen and progesterone is produced or too little is produced.

Symptoms of perimenopause are:

• Spotting between periods
• Shortened menstrual cycle
• Hot flashes
• Breast tenderness
• Brown vaginal discharge
• Irregular periods

2. Implantation Bleeding

Implantation bleeding occurs when the fertilised egg attaches itself to the walls of the lining of the uterine lining.

Implantation usually happens 6-7 days after ovulation. In some women it can happen as 6 days after ovulation while for others it can happen as late as 12 days after ovulation.

Light brown or pink discharge before period is a sign of pregnancy.

When the embryo dissolves the endometrial tissues in order to implant itself some blood is shed.

Only 1 in 3 women notice implantation bleeding or spotting in early pregnancy.

3. Ovulation Spotting

Another time a normal brown mucus may be experienced is during ovulation.

Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary in order for the egg to be fertilised by a sperm.

During ovulation, a matured follicle bursts out from the ovary and it ruptures to release an egg.

The process of ovulation maybe accompanied by mild pain and bleeding.

When your cervical mucus mixes with this blood if forms a brown mucus.

4. Birth Control

Most women use birth controls to prevent unwanted pregnancies and also to deal with menstrual related problems.

Birth control pills contain artificial hormones estrogen and progesterone which disrupts natural hormone levels and production.

The common side effects of using hormonal birth control is abnormal vaginal spotting and bloody discharge when not on period.

After the first 3 months of starting a birth control, the irregular spotting and bleeding between period is expected to stop.

If the abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge continues after 3 months on birth control continue see the doctor who may recommend an alternate birth control.

It is also important to note that missing or skip a pill can cause spotting or bloody mucus discharge.

5. Hormonal imbalances

The reproductive cycle of a woman is controlled by the estrogen and progesterone hormone.

Any imbalance between these two hormones can lead to brown spotting and discharge.

Women approaching menopause or women on hormonal birth control pills are often a victim of brown discharge caused by an imbalance of hormones.

6. PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the upper female reproductive organs such as uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and the pelvis.

It is a disease that is caused by the introduction of bacteria from the vaginal or into the uterus or womb.

If sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea are left untreated it can also develop into PID.

Symptoms of PID are:

• Abnormal uterine bleeding and bloody discharge
• Heavy vaginal discharge with odor
• Bleeding during intercourse
• Lower abdominal pain or cramping

7. Uterine Incapacity

Uterine incapacity occurs when during menstruation the uterus doesn't expel or shed all of its blood.

Due to this uterine incapacity, the left over blood is expelled some days after period. This could be accompanied by cramps and bloody mucus. like discharge.

8. Endometriosis 

Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when the tissues in the lining of the uterus(womb) is found outside the uterus in other places such as the fallopian, ovaries and the pelvis. 

Dark brown discharge before or after menses is on the symptoms of endometriosis.

Other symptoms are: 

• Painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
• Pain during or after intercourse
• Pain and discomfort during when urinating
• Excessive bleeding
• Fertility issues

9. Fibroids

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths found in the uterus. The main reason why women develop uterine fibroid is unknown.

Most women who have uterine fibroid do not know they do until they go for routine pelvic examination.

Brown discharge and cramps is one of the symptoms of uterine fibroids.  

10. cervicitis (cervix inflammation)

 The cervix is the neck of the womb. It connects the uterus to the vagina.

Cervix inflammation occurs when the cervix is irritated, infected by a bacteria, or there are injuries to the cells of the cervix.

Symptoms of cervicitis are:

• Discharge (Grey or pale yellow)
• Light bleeding​ 
• Pain during sexual intercourse

11. Polyps

Either cervical polyps or uterine polyps can lead to bloody vaginal discharge.

Cervical Polyps are elongated but small tumors the grow on the cervix. Cervical polyps are not cancerous and do not lead to cervical cancer.

Symptoms of cervical polyps are : bleeding in between periods, yellow brown mucus, vaginal spotting.

Frequently asked questions

What does Brown Stringy Discharge in Early Pregnancy mean?

A pink or brown discharge in early weeks of pregnancy can be due to implantation bleeding.

Implantation bleeding happens around week 3 of pregnancy when the fertilised egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus.​

Light bleeding or spotting is common in the first trimester.

Cervix irritation is also one of the reasons for blood spots during pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy is also one of the reasons for vaginal bleeding in early weeks of pregnancy.

Miscarriage is also another reason why bleeding occurs in early pregnancy.

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Brown Stringy Discharge Before Period What it Means?

A brown cervical mucus discharge before menses could be due to implantation bleeding, hormonal fluctuations, an infection or a disease such as endometriosis.

The post Top 12 Causes of Brown Mucus Discharge Before or After Period appeared first on Conceive Success.