Second day pink discharge. Sexual infections and endometritis

Every woman's menstrual cycle is accompanied by vaginal discharge of different colors. This is a kind of signal from the body about the processes occurring in it, both absolutely natural and pathological. Pink discharge after menstruation is not uncommon, and if it is not accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, it will not cause any harm to a woman’s health.

Type and color of discharge

Pink discharge is a mixture of leucorrhoea with a small amount of capillary blood, depending on the volume of which the color saturation is formed.

Types of pink discharge:

1. Pale pink;
2. Scarlet;
3. With brown or bright red impurities;
4. Curdled;
5. Transparent.

Reasons for appearance

The reasons for the appearance of pink discharge after menstruation are completely different for each woman and can depend on many factors.

Norm

If the discharge is transparent with small pinkish impurities, does not have an unpleasant odor and does not cause discomfort, this is completely normal.

Main reasons:

1. Not restored menstrual cycle in a woman who has given birth within a year from the birth of the child;
2. Taking oral contraceptives. If after menstruation only a pink spot appears, and not heavy discharge with a large admixture of blood, there is no need to be afraid - this is completely normal;
3. Rough sexual intercourse, after which microcracks may appear in the vagina;
4. Ovulation. If the discharge appears 14-16 days after menstruation, this indicates the beginning of egg maturation. The fact is that during the period of ovulation, the level of estrogen in the body increases sharply, which certainly leads to a change in the uterine mucosa and its preparation to receive a fertilized egg. This process may be accompanied by the appearance of light pink discharge;
5. Intrauterine device. The body needs a little time to get used to this foreign object. This period of adaptation is often accompanied by discharge;
6. Gynecological manipulations. Pink daub in such cases indicates the presence of microdamage to the vaginal mucosa or cervix due to external interference.

But if in all of the above cases the daub lasts for several months in a row, you should not indulge yourself in the illusion that such a phenomenon is normal. Most likely, a pathological process has begun to develop in the body.

Pathology

Main causes and symptoms:

1. Chronic endometritis or endocervicitis. In such cases, pink discharge has an unpleasant putrefactive odor;
2. Pregnancy. If scarlet discharge continues for more than a week a few days after menstruation, this may indicate fertilization of the egg. In this case, it is necessary to conduct a pregnancy test in order to exclude spontaneous abortion or ectopic pregnancy;
3. Infectious inflammatory processes in the vagina or cervix. In such cases, pink daub is accompanied by itching, irritation, discomfort, pain, unpleasant odor and indicates that various types of infections have entered the woman’s body;
4. Cervical erosion. If the discharge is pale pink and has yellowish-brown impurities, this indicates the presence of a defect in the uterine mucosa;
5. Polycystic ovary syndrome(disruption of their work caused by changes in hormonal levels);
6. Polyps, fibers and other tumors in the female genital organs;
7. Underactive thyroid gland.

Discharge during pregnancy

During this period, a woman needs to be extremely attentive to all changes in her body. As a rule, one-time light pink discharge indicates implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine wall. But if they do not stop and their number increases, you should definitely visit a doctor.

Other factors can also lead to the appearance of smears:

1. Too much sensitivity in the genitals, as well as their active blood supply (discharge appears after sex, gynecological examination, ultrasound with a vaginal sensor);
2. False menstruation(pale pink daub appears on the days of menstrual bleeding and is accompanied by mild nagging pain in the lower abdomen, radiating to the lower back).

What to do?

If pink discharge appears after your period, you need to listen to your body. If there are no other symptoms such as itching, burning, pain, or unpleasant odor, this is most likely normal and there is no need to worry.

If you feel discomfort, even minimal, and the spotting lasts for a very long time, you should immediately contact a gynecologist to confirm or exclude the presence of pathological processes.

The nature of pink discharge

Normally, pink discharge appears approximately two weeks before the onset of the next menstruation - this time coincides with the ovulation process. In this case, the discharge may have not only a pink tint, but also be bright red, which depends on the amount of blood and transparent vaginal secretion. Gynecologists call such discharge ovulation, as it indicates the most favorable time for fertilization.

Causes of discharge

When the egg matures, hormonal changes occur in the female body as a result of an increase in the level of estrogen, a hormone that affects the uterine mucosa. Such changes may cause slight bleeding, which turns into a pinkish discharge by mixing with vaginal secretions. Another reason that can provoke pink discharge is the use of oral contraceptives or an intrauterine device, which also provokes hormonal changes. Such reasons are quite justified, so there is no need to worry about this. Pink discharge often occurs as a result of gynecological manipulations when the mucous membrane of the vagina or cervix is ​​damaged. Even careless movements during hygiene procedures can damage the delicate surface of the mucous membrane and thereby cause pink discharge.

Pathological causes of pink discharge

Another cause of discharge is erosion of the uterine cervix, in which the pink color often contains brown impurities, which indicates the development of a pathological process. It should be noted that in this case, discharge may appear not only in the middle of the menstrual cycle. If the discharge is accompanied by pain in the lower back and abdomen, and also contains admixtures of pus, this indicates the presence of an infection in the genital tract, which requires immediate contact with a gynecologist. In some cases, pink discharge is a symptom of serious diseases such as malignant tumors, uterine fibroids and polyps.

Discharge during pregnancy

The color of vaginal discharge can tell a lot about your health. Some women become concerned when they experience pinkish-brown discharge, which can occur for a number of different reasons.

Pinkish-brown discharge often appears during pregnancy, but it can occur at any other time due to pregnancy or health problems. However, this color of discharge rarely indicates dangerous medical conditions.

In this article, we will look at the causes of pinkish-brown vaginal discharge, and also explain in what situations it is better to see a doctor when this symptom appears.

The content of the article:

Causes of pinkish-brown discharge

Below are the most common causes of pinkish-brown vaginal discharge.

Menstruation

Pinkish-brown discharge is often observed a few days before menstruation

Pinkish-brown discharge often occurs a few days before your period begins. They indicate that the body is preparing for menstruation.

Women may notice slight pink or brown discharge towards the end of their period. This symptom is also not associated with deviations, and therefore should not be a cause for concern.

Fresh blood is pink or red in color, but when the blood stagnates, it usually turns brown.

Cervical irritation

Pink, red, or brown vaginal discharge may cause irritation if the cervix bleeds a little. Sometimes this happens after vaginal sex or placing intimate toys and other objects into the vagina.

The cervix may become irritated due to injury, infection, or exposure to chemicals. In addition to vaginal discharge, in such cases women also experience itching.

Ovulatory bleeding

Ovulation is the process by which one of the ovaries releases an egg. In most cases, ovulation occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle.

At this time, women may notice ovulatory bleeding, which is a slight light discharge of blood. In addition, cramps in the pelvic or abdominal area may be signs of ovulation.

Hypomenorrhea

Hypomenorrhea is characterized by. When a woman has this condition, she may see pink or brown discharge instead of her usual menstrual bleeding.

The length of a normal menstrual cycle ranges from 24 to 38 days, and menstruation is usually observed within 8 days. If a woman’s menstrual cycle does not correspond to these numbers, then it is called disrupted.

Breakthrough bleeding is more likely to occur in women who:

• missed an appointment, forgot to change the contraceptive patch or vaginal ring;
• gets sick or suffers from dehydration in the middle of the menstrual cycle;
• takes antibiotics;
• takes oral contraceptives continuously or takes long-term pills that reduce the frequency of menstrual bleeding to once every three months;
• uses ;

Hormonal imbalance

Hormones control the menstrual cycle and influence the nature of menstruation, so hormonal imbalance can cause changes in the color of vaginal discharge at different periods of the cycle.

Low levels of certain hormones sometimes cause the uterus to shed its lining differently, and women may experience pinkish-brown vaginal discharge.

Such discharge is often observed in women who are just beginning to experience menstruation. In addition, they arise when approaching.

Infections

Many infections, including those that are sexually transmitted, can cause pinkish-brown discharge.

These infections include the following:

• chlamydia;
• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

These infections can also cause other symptoms, including the following:

• pain in the pelvic area;
• painful urination;
• itching in the vaginal area;
• unpleasant odor from the vagina.

Each of the above infections requires medical attention.

Implantation bleeding

Implantation bleeding occurs when a fertilized egg or embryo implants in the uterus. Some women at this point may notice a slight pinkish discharge, which is sometimes accompanied by mild cramping.

Very often, the process of embryo implantation occurs on the days when menstruation should begin, so women confuse implantation bleeding with weak menstruation.

If conception has taken place, then along with implantation bleeding, a woman may experience other signs of pregnancy. These include the following:

• headache;
• nausea;
• breast tenderness;
• aversion to food;
• fatigue;
• aching back pain.

Ectopic pregnancy

Sometimes the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. Usually in such cases it is attached to one of the fallopian tubes. If this happens, the embryo will not be able to develop correctly. In addition, with an ectopic pregnancy, a woman can develop serious complications.

One of the first signs of an ectopic pregnancy is usually vaginal bleeding, which may be pink or brown.

Bleeding may be heavier or lighter than normal menstruation. In addition, the following symptoms may appear:

• sharp stabbing pains;
• weakness;
• dizziness or lightheadedness;
• gastrointestinal problems.

If a woman suspects she has an ectopic pregnancy, she should see a doctor immediately.

Ovarian cysts

Symptoms of ovarian cysts include unusual vaginal discharge and pain and pressure in the lower abdomen

These are sac-like structures filled with liquid or semi-solid that develop in the ovaries. They usually bother women of childbearing age. often appear immediately after the ovary releases an egg and disappear during menstruation.

However, in some cases, cysts do not disappear, but continue to grow. If this happens, women may notice abnormalities in the nature of vaginal discharge.

Some women do not experience symptoms with ovarian cysts, while others, along with unusual discharge, may experience the following:

• pain and pressure in the lower abdomen;
• pain during sexual activity;
• feeling of fullness in the pelvic area;
• pain or pressure when urinating;
• nausea and vomiting.

Women with very large cysts may need medical treatment. This is often required for polycystic ovary syndrome.

Miscarriage

A miscarriage is a spontaneous termination of pregnancy before the 20th week of gestation.

In most cases, women who experience miscarriages experience brown bleeding and pink mucous discharge.

Miscarriages can happen very early after conception, when the woman has not even had time to find out about pregnancy. Doctors call this condition chemical pregnancy.

In the first trimester, bleeding is observed in many women who do not have miscarriages, but if this happens, you should definitely tell your doctor about the problem.

Lochia

Doctors use the term “lochia” to describe vaginal discharge that occurs in women after childbirth.

During the first few days after your baby is born, vaginal discharge usually resembles a heavy period. They present as copious discharge of dark red blood with blood clots.

Later, the bleeding gradually weakens, and the color of the discharge becomes lighter. They first turn pinkish or brown and then creamy white or yellow.

What should normal discharge be like?

Some types of vaginal discharge are natural. Moreover, they help maintain vaginal health by moisturizing the organ and protecting it from infections. Vaginal discharge also contributes to a woman's fertility.

What does pink discharge in women mean? Quite often, women encounter various discharges, which can be used to judge women’s health.

What does pale pink discharge in women indicate?

The main factors in determining women's health are vaginal discharge, namely its color, smell and consistency. Pink discharge in women can mean a lot. Single discharge that does not cause discomfort, itching, does not have a strong odor, and appears a day or two before menstruation should not cause concern. Such manifestations may be affected by the intrauterine device. And most likely, this is a sign that she is not suitable for a woman. With long-term use of hormonal contraceptives, similar discharge may also appear. Or they mean conception.

In some cases, light pink discharge appears after menstruation; there is no need to worry. Discharges that occur after gynecological manipulations do not cause danger; as a rule, these are microdamages of the uterus or vagina. But sometimes they can signal inflammatory processes in the body.

Sometimes such cases occur after sexual contact. This may indicate incompatibility of sizes, or there was too intense contact, there may be microcracks, or the position was chosen incorrectly. But here you should be careful, since the same manifestations are characteristic of cervical erosion; during sexual intercourse, due to contact, it begins to bleed.

During the period of ovulation, a similar situation can also occur. This indicates a favorable period for conceiving a child. Another reason may be an underactive thyroid gland. In this case, the woman has unstable hormonal levels, which provokes the development of various diseases.

If they begin long before menstruation, have a pungent odor, come out in large quantities and are mucous, or are accompanied by abdominal pain, then this may signal the following diseases:

1. Infection with infectious diseases that are sexually transmitted. They are accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen during sexual intercourse and itching.
2. Hormonal disorders. In addition to discharge, a woman may experience changes in weight in one direction or another, increased sweating and sleep disturbances.
3. Endometriosis is a process in which cells in the inner layer of the uterine wall grow. The inflammatory process begins due to the fact that monthly bleeding does not come out, but remains in the uterus. In this case, the discharge has a specific odor and brown streaks.
4. Tumor. There is a disturbance in the menstrual cycle, aching pain in the lower abdomen.
5. Endometrial polyps are accompanied by menstrual irregularities.

If pink vaginal discharge contains yellowish-brown impurities, this may indicate cervical erosion.

Pale pink discharge during pregnancy

Why might pale pink discharge appear? During pregnancy, a woman's body experiences enormous hormonal changes. Therefore, if the discharge appears during the first trimester, is minor and one-time, there is no reason to panic. This happens in most pregnant women, who subsequently give birth to healthy and full-term children. Sometimes discharge can cause great sensitivity of the genitals. After examination by a gynecologist using a mirror or after sexual intercourse, microcracks form on the walls of the vagina.

There are cases when a woman had menstruation on these days before pregnancy, so pink discharge may be observed in the early stages. This may be accompanied by moderate nagging pain in the lower abdomen.

But in the case of constantly recurring discharge, there may be placental abruption or the development of an inflammatory process, so going to the doctor cannot be postponed. And if they have a brown or dark pink tint, then this may indicate clotted blood. The woman’s body gradually gets rid of it, the reason for this may be the resulting hematoma. Naturally, only a doctor can cope with this.

The second trimester of pregnancy is normally a fairly calm period, and there should be no discharge. But if they do appear, this may indicate cervical erosion. This disease cannot be treated during pregnancy.

If pink discharge with a brown tint appears in the middle of pregnancy, then, as at the beginning of pregnancy, this may indicate placental abruption if there is pain in the abdomen and lower back. There may be a risk of premature birth.

Another cause of discharge may be an infection in the vagina. In this case, you need to consult a doctor who will prescribe treatment that does not harm the fetus.

The presence of discharge in the last trimester of pregnancy indicates the release of the mucous plug, which closes the cervical canal. This indicates that labor is beginning.

Postpartum discharge may last another 5-6 weeks. During this period, the uterus is restored and returns to its original size. The inner surface of the womb heals, as well as the wounds that appeared during childbirth.

Folk remedies in the fight against discharge

Discharge can be treated with folk remedies only if no pathologies are observed in the body. If there is discharge after menstruation, you can relieve this discomfort by taking a bath with herbal infusion. To do this, take 100 g of pine buds and pour 10 liters of boiling water over them.

Douching can also help. 3 tbsp. l. St. John's wort pour 2 liters of water and boil for 20 minutes. Strain before use.

You can drink a nettle decoction. For this you need 1 tbsp. l. pour a glass of boiling water over nettles.

A good effect will be achieved by drinking a decoction of yarrow flowers. 2-3 cups per day.

You can chew white acacia flowers while swallowing the juice. Douching with a decoction of the herbs sage, rosemary, yarrow and oak bark will give a good effect. Pour 3 liters of boiling water over the mixed mixture and simmer for 5 minutes over low heat. Cool and strain.

For douching, you can use a decoction of immortelle flowers. Use 1 tbsp. l. per glass of water. This decoction can be drunk an hour before meals 3 times a day for 4 weeks.

Equal amounts of St. John's wort, shepherd's purse, oak bark, nettle root, flax seeds, rose petals and immortelle flowers. Pour 40 g of the mixture into 2 liters of water and boil for 20 minutes. Strain and douche while warm.

You can wash yourself with a decoction of oak bark.

In any case, you need to see a doctor, take the necessary tests, and undergo an examination. It is better to prevent a possible illness in time and begin treatment.

Normally, women should experience any bleeding only during menstruation. An exception is ovulatory bleeding - scanty pink discharge in the middle of the cycle, which indicates the movement of a mature egg, which corresponds to the period of ovulation. But the reasons may also lie in inflammation, infectious diseases, tumors and other pathologies.

The main sign of ovulatory bleeding is the appearance of a slightly pinkish color in normal leucorrhoea. In this case, the pink discharge becomes colorless again on the 2nd–3rd day. This condition indicates that ovulation has occurred - a favorable phase for conceiving a child.

The reasons for the change in the color of the discharge lie in the fact that the follicular membrane is ruptured, the capillaries are damaged, a small amount of blood mixes with the mucus, coloring it a mild pink color.

Also, spotting pinkish discharge may appear in the middle of the cycle normally when taking hormonal-based contraceptives. Typically, such phenomena accompany taking OCs only in the first 3–4 months until hormonal levels stabilize.

Less commonly, discharge with drops of blood may occur after sexual intercourse. This indicates injury to the mucous membrane as a result of excessive friction, when the production of secretions in the vagina is disrupted. Find out more in our article on the website.

However, only a specialist can figure out whether mucus mixed with blood is normal or pathological.

Common Causes of Pink Discharge

Slightly pinkish discharge, especially one-time discharge, is unlikely to be a symptom of a serious illness. Most often this occurs when capillaries rupture due to injury to the vaginal mucosa after sexual intercourse, improper use of tampons, or douching.

If a similar phenomenon occurs regularly in the middle of the cycle, the reasons may be more serious. Mucus with impurities can be released in small quantities due to disorders in the thyroid gland or hormonal imbalance.

Also, pinkish mucus can be observed during ovulation, the presence of cervical erosion, and in the early stages of pregnancy.

After sex

During intense sexual contact, trauma to the internal mucous membrane can cause damage to the capillaries and cause the appearance of pale pink discharge.

In addition, any careless impact damages the mucous membranes and can cause the appearance of leucorrhoea mixed with blood, for example:

• improper insertion or wearing of a tampon;
• gynecological examination.

In this case, bleeding means that wounds have appeared on the surface of the mucous membrane. Accordingly, it is necessary to abstain from sexual intercourse for some time so that the tissues of the vaginal lining are restored.

The regular appearance of such mucus after sexual intercourse may indicate the presence of cervical erosion or polyps. In this case, mucus will appear every time, like snot with blood, as well as pain, discomfort after sexual intercourse and other unpleasant symptoms.

Regardless of the day of the cycle

In some cases, pink discharge appears on any day of the cycle. This does not indicate the onset of ovulation, but the presence of hidden inflammatory processes and other pathologies:

• STDs – accompanied by burning, painful sensations;
• uterine inflammatory processes - can be asymptomatic and become the cause;
• malignant or benign tumors - the result may be pink leucorrhoea without reference to a specific day of the cycle;
• ectopic pregnancy - can manifest itself with pinkish discharge on any day of the menstrual cycle.

The combination of pink discharge with other signs of pathology (pulling or sharp pain, rise in temperature, disruption of the menstrual cycle) requires a detailed examination and identification of the cause of this condition.

Candidiasis colpitis

The inflammatory process of the vaginal mucosa of an infectious nature is called colpitis. The causative agents are viruses - mycoplasma, trichomonas, ureaplasma. Symptoms:

• pink cheesy discharge with an unpleasant odor;
• appearance, characterized by cheesy discharge, itching;
• discomfort in the intimate area;
• soreness in the lower abdomen.

Curd-like discharge in women with characteristic flakes indicates candidiasis. If there is a thick greenish tint, trichomoniasis is diagnosed.

Colpitis of a bacterial nature manifests itself as discharge of a homogeneous structure, foamy, white-pink or almost colorless.

Almost always, the development of colpitis disrupts the concentration of lactobacilli and contributes to the development of vaginal dysbiosis. For this reason, it itches in the intimate area, irritation and pain appear, scratching the skin can be injured, and a secondary bacterial infection often occurs.

Bacterial vaginosis

A non-inflammatory infectious disease that affects the vagina and disrupts the normal microflora is bacterial vaginosis. It often occurs against the background of prolonged wearing of an intrauterine device, uncontrolled use of antibiotics and drugs containing hormones. It remains asymptomatic for a long time.

Main features:

• pink discharge with an unpleasant odor is observed on any day of the cycle;
• depending on the severity of the lesion, the color of the mucus can vary from almost colorless or pinkish to yellow-gray;
• the volume of leaking mucus reaches 20 ml per day (at a norm of a maximum of 10 ml);
• As the disease progresses, the discharge thickens, foam, flakes, foreign inclusions, and clots appear.

The smell of these fragrances is specific - reminiscent of rotten fish. Therefore, bacterial vaginosis can be determined even by external examination.

Cervical pathology

Cervical erosion is often virtually asymptomatic. As a rule, the main and only manifestation is the presence of scanty light pink discharge on different days of the cycle. In some cases, they may become darker in color, which indicates the addition of other diseases against the background of damage to the cervix.

The cause of leucorrhoea with blood impurities is injury by erosion of the mucous membrane. The appearance of drops of blood in the secretion indicates extensive damage to the endometrium. More often, discharge is observed not in the middle of the cycle, but three or more days before the start of menstruation under the influence of increased blood circulation from an increase in mucosal tissue.

Erosion also causes the release of reddish mucus during routine manipulations - using a diaphragm, intrauterine devices, gynecological examination, sexual intercourse, using tampons, ultrasound, douching or inserting vaginal suppositories.

The appearance of pain or discomfort indicates the addition of other diseases, such as cervical endometriosis, fibroids, fibroids, and polyps.

Intrauterine devices

When using barrier contraceptives, it is also common to observe intermenstrual slightly pink or reddish leucorrhoea from the vagina.

If an IUD is inserted, undesirable effects may last for a maximum of 1–2 weeks. At the end of this period, the condition should return to normal.

Some symptoms that occur after installation of the IUD require consultation with a doctor:

• leucorrhoea appears not with a pink tint, but with a scarlet or brown color - the beginning of bleeding;
• there is a delay in menstruation - even with an IUD there is still a small risk of pregnancy, including ectopic;
• unpleasant or unusual smell of mucus - infection;
• painful sensations in the groin or lower abdomen - displacement of the spiral.

Wearing a uterine device also requires compliance with certain rules. After the period specified in the instructions has expired, the spiral must be replaced. In addition, the barrier protection agent is a foreign body in the body, and therefore can cause rejection, manifested by pain and constant intermenstrual release of mucus with blood.

If any leucorrhoea with drops of blood appears, it is necessary to monitor its regularity, volume and accompanying symptoms. A single pinkish mucus more often indicates injury to the mucous membrane, and regular scanty bleeding, coupled with pain, odor, and itching require diagnosis and selection of treatment.