Dark discharge in women and treatment. When brownish discharge can be considered normal

Brown discharge from the vagina may not be a dangerous symptom of any disease. If such discharge characterizes the end of your period, then most likely this is the norm for you. The thing is that the color and consistency of menstrual flow is a purely individual matter. For example, brown discharge indicates that the menstrual fluid comes out slowly and has time to contact with air, which naturally leads to its pigmentation.

But what to do if brown vaginal discharge appears a few days after the end of menstruation? Could this be a sign of a disease? Let's look at the cases in which brown discharge after menstruation is a health hazard.

Chronic endometritis

The cause of brown vaginal discharge is often a disease such as endometritis. Its chronic form is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity. The disease can lead to intrauterine interventions in the prenatal period or the process of inflammation after an abortion. Brown discharge with endometritis can go both at the beginning, at the end or in the middle of the menstruation cycle. Moreover, in the latter case, the discharge is accompanied by aching pain in the lower abdomen.

endometriosis

Nodular, small cystic formations or growths in the cervical region practically do not cause pain and are difficult to timely diagnose. An alarming symptom of the disease is brown discharge from the vagina. They usually occur a few days after menstruation. They have an unpleasant odor and sometimes contain small blood clots.

The collective name for various pathological processes in the uterus. The internal mucous membrane of the body of the uterus is subject to a huge number of diseases, from delayed embryo development during pregnancy to fibroids and. In any case, if you suddenly have brown discharge outside the menstrual period, this is a good reason to contact a specialist.

Inflammatory diseases of the vagina

Medicines to stop bleeding

Often young (and sometimes not so) persons, having read women's forums on the Internet, resort to self-purchase of drugs that stop bleeding in any phase of the menstrual cycle. It should be remembered that drugs such as dicynone, vitaxol or transekam should only be used as directed by a doctor. Some hemostatics, especially in early pregnancy, can cause irreparable harm to health. So for any spotting, whether brown or bright red, first see a doctor - and then go to a pharmacy!

And finally...

It is often not important for a gynecologist what shade of vaginal discharge you have. Light or dark brown discharge indicates the presence of blood in it. And if you have spotting, bloody brown discharge that is not associated with menstruation, this is already a reason to think about their cause. So do not self-medicate and good health to you!

Dmitry Belov

This time on the Shtuchka.ru website, we will consider the question that most women face: what to do, if there is brown discharge is a natural or serious cause for concern.

From elementary to complex

Daily vaginal discharge is normal. During the menstrual cycle, their appearance, texture, quantity and smell change. It is associated with the formation and release of the egg.

If you have spotting brown discharge during pregnancy

If you find yourself with brown discharge at an early stage of pregnancy, do not immediately be scared. This is the final stage in the restructuring of the body. Such discharge, as a rule, is insignificant, appear at the moment when menstruation was supposed to go. If the discharge continues for more than three months, contact a specialist.

The light brown discharge that appeared after the examination is the result of damage to the mucous membrane, which is very sensitive during this period.

A more serious reason for the appearance of such secretions is a frozen pregnancy (fetal death).

The threat of miscarriage can also cause brown discharge. If the bleeding increases and blood clots begin to come out, then the rejection of the fetus has begun. In such a situation, it is impossible to keep the pregnancy.

At a later date, such discharge indicates placental abruption. To keep the pregnancy, bed rest is recommended until the end of the term. Otherwise, there is a chance of losing not only the child, but also the mother due to severe internal bleeding.

We hope that our article helped you understand how to be, if there are spotting, brown discharge.. advises to address to the gynecologist to completely understand and find out the reason.

Bruslik Maria - especially for the site Shtuchka.ru

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A brown tint in the discharge indicates that blood has appeared in them. But this does not necessarily indicate health problems. Sometimes a brownish color appears in the discharge for quite natural reasons. The course of physiological processes in the female reproductive system is influenced by many different factors. If the discharge is not accompanied by any unpleasant symptoms, then you should not worry. But only a gynecologist will help to find out exactly the cause. If you are in pain, it is not normal. Serious diagnosis and treatment is required.

Content:

When brown discharge is normal

The processes of the menstrual cycle in its different phases occur in accordance with changes in the hormonal background. An increase in the amount of estrogen contributes to the maturation of eggs in the ovarian follicles and the development of the endometrium in the uterus, and an increase in the content of progesterone leads to loosening of the mucosa and its exfoliation when pregnancy does not occur.

Cyclical changes

The ratio of hormones changes smoothly, therefore, already before menstruation, a woman may experience light brown discharge when the endometrium is just beginning to exfoliate. The amount of blood that enters the vaginal mucus and the intensity of color depends on the individual characteristics of the woman's body (blood composition and coagulability, reproductive and general health). One thing is important: the appearance of such secretions before the onset of menstruation may well be the norm.

At the end of menstruation, particles of the mucous membrane, a small amount of blood stagnant in the folds, may remain in the uterus. Therefore, the appearance of brownish mucus from the vagina after menstruation is also not a frightening sign. It may even have small clots of clotted blood.

In the middle of the cycle, ovulation occurs - the rupture of the dominant follicle and the release of a mature egg from it. In this case, damage to small vessels occurs. Therefore, during ovulation and a few hours after it, a woman has droplets of blood in her secretions. In this case, the appearance of light brown viscous secretions is also normal. Such discharge is called ovulatory.

Warning: Particular attention should be paid to the appearance of bleeding during this period in a practically healthy woman. As a rule, this condition is preceded by a sharp pain in the lower abdomen, then dizziness, nausea and other painful symptoms appear. In this case, urgent medical attention may be required, since the cause of bleeding is most likely ovarian apoplexy (rupture of the follicle along with the membrane and tissues of the ovary).

Hormonal changes

If a woman takes hormonal contraceptive pills, she experiences a hormonal shift within 2-3 months, the body adjusts to the new background. Changes are reflected in the state of blood vessels, uterine contractility. As a result, in addition to menstruation, a woman has light brown or dark pink leucorrhoea. After the installation of the intrauterine device, not only the suppression of the production of sex hormones occurs, but also a mechanical effect on the mucous membrane. As a result of this, light brown discharge is also possible. If a similar phenomenon is observed for 4 months, then a woman should consult a doctor about choosing another contraceptive.

Do not be surprised to see brown discharge after sex, especially in the period leading up to the onset of menopause. The age-related decrease in the amount of estrogens in the body leads to a thinning of the vaginal mucosa and a deterioration in the condition of the vascular walls, as a result of which it becomes possible for drops of blood to enter the discharge. The occurrence of painful symptoms may indicate a disease.

Note: Do not forget that older women have an increased risk of malignant tumors of the uterus. The appearance of blood in the discharge should definitely alert, make you immediately go to the doctor.

Discharge during pregnancy, after childbirth

If a woman becomes pregnant, then the next menstruation is delayed, and after a few days, smearing light brown discharge appears instead. They are called implantation, since the appearance of blood impurities is due to minor damage to the capillaries of the endometrium at the time of the introduction of the embryo into it.

Weak brownish discharge may appear in a pregnant woman on days when menstruation usually came. For 3-4 months, she may not know she is pregnant until she feels the baby move. This phenomenon is rarely observed, but it is not considered a pathology, since the individual characteristics of the restructuring of the hormonal background during this period are to blame.

At the same time, the appearance of any bleeding during pregnancy may indicate a threat of miscarriage (with detachment of the fetal egg or placenta). Therefore, a pregnant woman should be especially attentive to such a symptom at any stage of pregnancy.

After childbirth in the first days, bleeding is possible, which passes into the lochia, first in the form of brownish discharge, and then in the form of yellowish mucus. Common signs of normal discharge are:

small amount;
no unpleasant odor;
absence of large clots, lumps, foam;
absence of pain in the abdomen, back, and other unpleasant symptoms.

Video: Causes of normal and pathological discharge

Causes of the appearance of pathological discharge

The pathology of the discharge of a light brown color is said if a woman has menstrual irregularities, diseases of the uterus and appendages, as well as the thyroid gland and other organs of the endocrine system, kidneys, liver, and mammary glands. All these pathologies are directly related to hormonal disorders in the body. Often such discharge occurs on any day between periods.

If the light brownish discharge is accompanied by an "acute abdomen" condition and looks more like bleeding, it may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy or a ruptured ovarian cyst.

You should consult a doctor if brown discharge has the following symptoms:

continue for a long time in the middle of the cycle or on any days between menstruation;
associated with fever, pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, burning or cutting in the vagina;
accompanied by urination disorder, a feeling of fullness or pressure in the abdomen;
meager light burgundy discharge occurs instead of menstruation or turns into heavy bleeding, which is not menstruation;
the discharge has an unpleasant odor, impurities of pus, foam or large dark brown clots.

The cause of the appearance of pathological light brown discharge can be inflammatory and infectious diseases of the vagina, uterus, appendages. Allocations with blood appear with erosion and other diseases associated with damage to the surface of the cervix.

Hemorrhage occurs if polyps form in the mucous membranes of the reproductive organs. Uterine fibroids, endometrial hyperplasia, endometriosis - all these pathologies are associated with damage to the vessels of the epithelial layer inside the uterus.

Brown discharge may be a sign of malignant tumors of the genital organs, which, as a rule, do not have any other manifestations in the early stages. Early detection of any pathology will help prevent complications, as well as choose the most gentle treatment methods.

Women's health is a fragile thing. It seems that you dress according to the weather and do not freeze on the street, and you follow the daily routine, and you try to control the level of stress, but for some reason the reproductive system reminds of itself. It happens that brown discharge appears in the middle of the cycle. Is such a symptom always a cause for concern for one's health, or can this manifestation be a physiological norm - let's see.

Why do brown discharge occur in the middle of the cycle

What happens in the female reproductive system is characterized by a clear periodicity. The cycle begins from the first days of menstruation, when the functional layer of the endometrium is rejected during menstruation and is excreted from the body along with the blood. Meanwhile, under the influence of estrogen hormones in the ovarian follicles, another egg is already beginning to mature. About two weeks after the start of menstruation, her ovulation occurs - the exit from the follicle, and the ovaries begin to produce the hormone progesterone.

Such a change in the hormonal background in some cases provokes intermenstrual bleeding in the middle of the cycle, and since each organism is individual, they often only reflect the normal physiological processes in a particular woman. You do not need to be immediately afraid of the brown color emitted, since hemoglobin protein (which is part of the blood) acquires this color after contact with oxygen molecules and oxidation by them. But when changing the color of vaginal discharge, you need to consult a gynecologist to prevent the development of pathology.

According to the saturation of the color, spotting is conditionally divided into:

dark brown - sometimes appear when you start taking hormonal contraceptives as a reaction to the components of the drugs;
light brown - also characteristic of taking contraceptives, often occurs with menstrual irregularities and inflammatory diseases;
bloody discharge of red-brown color - indicates that the blood has been released recently and has not yet had time to clot, often occurs after violent intercourse due to microcracks in the walls of the vagina.

What discharge is considered the norm

The fact that vaginal discharge changes throughout the cycle is normal, but with the condition that they are odorless and colorless. Immediately after the end of menstruation, the discharge should be transparent and scarce, only sometimes leaving a mark on the linen. By the middle of the cycle, when the body is preparing for ovulation, the secret released from the vagina becomes mucous, viscous, thick, resembling egg white, on such days, to maintain a feeling of cleanliness and dryness, one cannot do without the use of daily pads.

After the egg has left the follicle, the amount of secretions decreases again, they become less transparent, white in color, reminiscent of diluted milk, sometimes with clots resembling small curd lumps, with a characteristic sour-milk smell. If such discharge does not cause itching and irritation of the vulva, and after menstruation, the discharge returns to normal, then this is a normal physiological phenomenon of the female body. You should be aware that the invariance of secretions throughout the cycle is a pathology.

Causes of brown discharge in women

The appearance of brown discharge in the middle of the cycle is uncharacteristic of its normal passage, but is not always a pathology. Changes in color are often caused by physical effects, for example, microtrauma of the vagina due to insufficient lubrication during sex; such selections disappear immediately after the exclusion of the actions that caused them. To establish the reasons for the change in secretions, competent consultation is needed, because such a restructuring of the body indicates that new physiological or pathological factors have begun to act in the body.

Ovulation

During this period, the hormonal background of the body changes, the ovarian follicle ruptures, a mature egg enters the abdominal cavity and the body prepares for its possible fertilization. Bloody discharge during ovulation appears due to the rupture of the follicle, they are observed in a large percentage of women. If at this time there are light smearing marks with bloody patches on the woman's underwear, which does not last more than 3 days, such discharge is not a pathology.

Pregnancy

A small discharge of blood is often observed when the fertilization of the egg has occurred and the fetal egg is attached to the uterine cavity. This action occurs without pain, but sometimes such a bloody trail indicates the implantation of an egg. In the future, during the normal course of the period of bearing a child, there should not be any discharge of a red or brown hue, their appearance is a reason for an immediate appeal to a specialist.

Light brown discharge during pregnancy often indicates a lack of the hormone progesterone, which causes endometrial rejection, placental abruption and threatens with spontaneous miscarriage. Another reason for such discharge is an ectopic pregnancy. If the test confirms fertilization, but the fetal egg did not descend into the uterine cavity, but remained in the fallopian tube, this situation requires immediate surgical intervention, since this is a real threat to the woman's health and life.

endometriosis

Regular spotting brown discharge in the middle of the cycle, sometimes even black, is a common symptom of this insidious disease. With endometriosis, the cells of the inner surface of the uterus grow and fall outside of it. Since they respond to the cyclical hormonal background, both inside the uterus and where the endometrial cells have entered and develop, small monthly bleeding occurs, which causes inflammation of the surrounding tissues.

Since this is a very serious disease that threatens with complications and even infertility, you should immediately consult a doctor when, in addition to dark vaginal discharge, a woman observes other signs of endometriosis:

pulls the stomach, gives pain to the lower back, there is an increase in pain before menstruation;
menstruation became more abundant;
there was pain during sex;
pains are felt, giving in the lower abdomen, when emptying the intestines or bladder.

Cervical erosion

Intermenstrual bleeding, indicating this ailment, occurs not only in the middle of the cycle. Cervical erosion should be suspected when the discharge of blood, ichor appears after each sexual intercourse or gynecological examination, that is, when there was contact with the cervix. The diagnosis is confirmed during a gynecological examination using a colposcope - a special optical device that allows the doctor to examine the identified change on the cervix with a magnification of 20-25 times and take a photo for observation during the treatment process.

Education in the uterus

Brown spotting in the middle of the cycle is often one of the signs of neoplasms of the genital organs - both benign (myoma,) and malignant (uterine cancer). The formation and growth of fibroids are accompanied by intermenstrual blood-brown, profuse discharge, sometimes turning into bleeding. Such a diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasound, in the future it requires constant monitoring, sometimes, depending on the rate of tumor growth, surgical intervention.

Uterine cancer is the most dangerous disease, one of the symptoms of which is brown discharge. Oncology, which began in the reproductive system of a woman, can spread to other organs. Women over 50 are more susceptible to this disease. With malignant tumors in women during the formation of menopause, the discharge is spotty, irregular, becomes scarcer over time, and menstruation, which has almost stopped, suddenly resumes again. Timely diagnosis of the disease gives good chances for recovery and continuation of a full life.

The formation of the menstrual cycle

When a girl's menstruation is just starting, as a rule, they are unstable in terms of date, amount of discharge, and often, in addition to the usual menstrual bleeding, have the character of bloody spotting. Such intermittent menstruation is acceptable in the first 2 years of the formation of the cycle, but in this case it is necessary to periodically consult with a specialist so as not to miss possible inflammatory processes.

Scanty bleeding occurs for physiological reasons with amenorrhea - the absence of menstruation for more than 6 months. You should know that the absence of menstruation is considered the physiological norm only during pregnancy and lactation, before the establishment of a constant monthly cycle in adolescent girls and after the onset of menopause. Other cases of amenorrhea are abnormal. Since this is not an independent disease, but a condition that is a symptom of other diseases, amenorrhea requires observation by a specialist.

During the premenopausal period, when the hormonal background gradually decreases, menstruation becomes irregular, sometimes occurring as brown spotting. If a woman who is in the menopause phase and her menstruation has completely stopped, spotting suddenly appears, regardless of their quantity, color saturation, duration and frequency, you should immediately consult a doctor so as not to miss the initial stage of oncological disease.

Sexually transmitted diseases

When a woman leads an active sex life, has several sexual partners, when a blood-brown discharge appears, she needs to be checked for the presence of diseases transmitted by direct unprotected contact. If there are uncharacteristic intermenstrual discharges of different colors (gray, brown, brown), with the smell of fish or a rotten smell, and appear against the background of a deterioration in the general condition of the body, there is every reason to suspect infection of the body and go to the doctor for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment .

Inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs

When bloody discharge in the middle of the cycle is accompanied by a deterioration in general well-being, pulling pains in the lower abdomen, radiating to the back, painful sensations during intercourse, sometimes there is an increase in temperature - then it is time to suspect inflammation of the genitals, rectum or bladder. With this combination of symptoms, it is very important not to self-medicate, but to establish an accurate diagnosis by visiting a specialized medical institution.

Use of oral and vaginal contraceptives

If contraceptive hormonal preparations are selected by a doctor for contraception in order to prevent unwanted pregnancy, at the first stages of their use, spotting and even breakthrough bleeding in the middle of the cycle are allowed as a side effect. Normally, such phenomena should disappear after 3 months of admission, but if after this line they are still observed, such contraceptives must be changed. The presence of brown discharge in the middle of the cycle is typical if an intrauterine device is used as a method of contraception.

When should you visit a doctor

When you notice changes in the color of vaginal discharge and the appearance of blood in them, which was not the case before, it is always better not to self-medicate, not to torment yourself with fears and worries, but to immediately go for a gynecological examination. In order for the diagnosis to be of high quality, it is better to visit the same doctor who knows your history, body characteristics and whom you trust. Such a specialist will dispel groundless feelings and, if necessary, help to choose an adequate treatment.

Video about spotting during the menstrual cycle

The appearance on your underwear of traces of vaginal secretion with a brown color is not at all a reason to panic. From our video you will learn competent and detailed explanations of a specialist about the reasons for the appearance of such secretions, hear how the hormonal background of a woman affects the nature of intermenstrual secretions and whether it must be corrected:

Should a healthy woman have brown or bloody vaginal discharge? Is this the norm, a sign of a disease or other disorder in the body?

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About normal secretions

Normally, fluid should be released from the woman's vagina. But not all discharges are normal. "Good" secretions include clear, not abundant (from 50 mg per day) odorless mucus. Normal discharge does not cause discomfort, does not cause itching, burning and irritation of the vagina. If you take a smear for microflora, then it should show a normal number of leukocytes with a predominance of lactobacilli. Mucus secretions gradually increase in quantity until the day of ovulation (approximately 14 days after menstruation). During this period, mucus changes its properties. The feeling of moisture in the vulva at this time is absolutely normal.

But the brown discharge must be treated very carefully! The brown, brownish tint of the liquid clearly indicates bloody or bloody additions to the mucus. And this, in turn, may indicate violations of the female genital area. Further about such violations and their causes.

endometritis

Brown discharge may be a sign of chronic endometritis - inflammation of the endometrium, the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity. Brown discharge with endometritis appears before and after menstruation, often has an unpleasant odor. Sometimes brown mucus appears in the middle of the cycle and is combined with aching pains in the lower abdomen. Chronic endometritis is dangerous during pregnancy, it can lead to miscarriages at different times. This pathology is due to the fact that the process of attachment of the fetal egg in the uterine cavity and its further development are impaired.

Chronic endometritis can lead to:

not fully cured acute postpartum or post-abortion endometritis;

intrauterine interventions;

imbalance between the hormonal and immune systems of the body;

hidden infections.

endometriosis

Brown discharge or discharge mixed with blood are also the main symptoms of endometriosis of the cervix or body of the uterus. This does not necessarily cause pain. Endometriosis of the cervix is a nodular, small-cystic formation or growth in the form of red or purple-blue stripes. From individual foci, dark bloody and brown discharge may appear. Endometriosis of the body of the uterus is the growth of endometrial cells in the myometrium (the muscular layer of the uterus). Pathological secretions decrease in size after menstruation, and their color becomes lighter.

endometrial hyperplasia

Spotting, bloody, brown discharge at the end of the cycle before menstruation or for a long time after menstruation may indicate endometrial hyperplasia. The causes of hyperplasia can be of a different nature. Most often, this pathology develops due to hormonal imbalances, as well as carbohydrate, lipid and other types of metabolism. An important role can be played by hereditary predisposition, the presence of uterine fibroids, cancer of the genital organs and breast, hypertension and other diseases, manifestations of damaging effects during the prenatal period of development, diseases during puberty and the disorders of menstrual and subsequently reproductive function caused by them. The appearance of hyperplasia in adulthood is often preceded by gynecological diseases, abortions, and operations on the genitals.

Polyp

Brown discharge may be a sign of a polyp in the uterus. The cause of the polyp may be the pathology of the uterine mucosa or cervical canal against the background of a chronic inflammatory process. The cause of uterine polyps is most often hormonal disorders.

Detachment of the fetal egg

Brown discharge during pregnancy - spotting, bloody - is the first sign of detachment of the fetal egg or placenta, which happened a few days or even a week ago. Often, such discharge is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen and in the lumbar region, resembling "light" contractions.

Ectopic pregnancy

Sometimes brown discharge with ichor indicates an ectopic pregnancy. At the same time, a woman may feel a decrease in blood pressure, periodic or persistent pain in the lower abdomen, increased heart rate, dizziness.

Hormonal contraceptives

Cinnamon discharge may appear in the first months of taking hormonal contraceptives. In this case, this is the norm. But if this phenomenon continues for the 3rd month or longer, then the drug is not suitable and a new method of contraception is required.

Don't expect trouble

If there are any discharges that bother you of those described above, this is an occasion to immediately consult a doctor. The specialist will determine the cause of the discharge, prescribe the necessary treatment and save from the further development of the disease.