Brown discharge in women: dark and light, profuse and spotting. What does dark brown discharge mean?

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. Cervical endometriosis 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, genital and breast cancer, 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.

Vaginal discharge is the norm for any woman, usually they are not abundant, whitish in color and do not have a strong pronounced odor, these characteristics can vary quite a bit depending on the day of the menstrual cycle, food, immune status and under the influence of various medications. Brown discharge in women can sometimes be really scary, what can they talk about when they are the norm?

Normally, female secretions contain transudate, the secret of glands located on the mucous organs of the reproductive system, particles of the epithelium that lines the vagina. The whitish color and sour, but not unpleasant odor is due to the activity of the vaginal microflora, namely lactic acid bacteria. Due to disturbances in the microflora and various diseases, the color and smell of the secretions may change, according to the changes, one can roughly judge an infection or disease.

Mucous brown discharge can be a sign of a serious illness, however, depending on the phase of the cycle and the intake of various drugs, especially hormonal ones, they can be considered the norm. This nature of the secret must be alert against the background of the following signs:

the occurrence of brown discharge or a secret mixed with blood between menstruation, while the woman does not take hormonal drugs;
there is pain in the lower abdomen or in the lumbar region, in the area of the external genital organs and the vagina there is dryness and burning, pain that is aggravated by urination and sexual intercourse, there are rashes on the mucous membrane;
discharge occurs during menopause, while the last menstruation was quite a long time ago, a year or more has passed from it, their occurrence during menopause may indicate the development of a serious pathology;
bloody and brownish discharge occurs after sexual contact.

In general, the brownish color of the discharge usually indicates the presence of blood in them, therefore, at certain phases of the menstrual cycle, their appearance can be called the norm. However, if other symptoms of various gynecological diseases are present, you should consult a doctor.

Important! If the appearance of brownish discharge occurs with an increase in the overall body temperature, you need to urgently consult a doctor, this may indicate the presence of an inflammatory process.

Why does a woman have brown discharge

There are many reasons for brown discharge, first of all, it is worth considering in which case the presence of a brown secret is considered normal:

The occurrence of such impurities in secret before the onset of menstruation - a day or a few hours. In this case, this is a natural state with a gradual onset of menstruation.
The appearance of such a secret immediately after menstruation is the gradual end of menstruation.
Dark brown discharge between periods while taking hormonal drugs. In this case, they are a side effect of taking medications, but it is advisable to consult a doctor, it may be better to choose another remedy.
Red-brown secret after active sex. In this case, they occur due to minor microtrauma of the mucosa, this phenomenon is also common after the first contact in life or over a long period of time. Next time, you just have to be more careful, microtraumas are not dangerous, but their occurrence is in any case undesirable.

Brown discharge instead of menstruation can also be normal for women taking hormonal contraceptives. Due to some remedies, in some women, menstruation completely disappears, instead of them there may be spotting.

In some cases, it is extremely important to understand whether brownish discharge appears along with urine when urinating. Brown discharge and frequent urination indicate the occurrence of urethritis or cystitis - inflammatory diseases of the urethra and bladder. In this case, when urinating, there is a burning sensation, there is pain in the lower abdomen or lumbar region.

With these diseases, the temperature may rise, usually the symptoms develop with a cold or against the background of hypothermia. If these symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Brown discharge with cystitis usually comes from the urethra along with urine, so you can notice them after urinating on toilet paper or underwear.

Brown discharge in the middle of the cycle

A brownish secret between periods is a rather alarming symptom if a woman is not taking any hormonal drugs. The most common causes of this symptomatology are the following conditions:

Uterine bleeding. It is usually caused by extremely serious diseases: endometritis, cervical erosion, various neoplasms, including malignant ones. You should be especially wary if the discharge occurs every time after intercourse, even a rather mild one.
Intermenstrual bleeding. These bleedings are usually caused by less serious factors, most often these are various injuries of the genital organs, stress, metabolic disorders, and exposure to certain medications.

Important! If brown and bloody inclusions occur in the secret, it is imperative to do an ultrasound of the pelvic organs and a smear.

Yellowish-brown discharge with an unpleasant odor may indicate an infection, usually sexually transmitted. In this case, itching and burning in the genital area usually appears, pain and discomfort occur during sexual contact.

During pregnancy, the occurrence of a brownish secretion is an extremely alarming symptom, as this may indicate a possible miscarriage. If blood occurs during pregnancy, especially in the later stages of gestation, you should urgently consult your doctor. If time does not intervene, it is possible to terminate the pregnancy.

In older women, a bloody and brownish secret is an extremely alarming sign, especially if enough time has already passed since the onset of menopause. This may indicate the development of oncology, so you should immediately contact a gynecologist.

Treatment of diseases that cause such symptoms depends on the exact establishment of the cause. Various remedies can be used from local ointments and suppositories to surgical intervention. If brown discharge occurs against the background of hormonal drugs, it is recommended to try changing the remedy.

In general, do not delay when this symptom occurs. Self-treatment is highly undesirable, it can lead to a worsening of the condition, regardless of the disease.

Vaginal discharge is a physiological process that is considered normal if it is colorless and has no strong odor. In the event that brown discharge appears, there may be a threat to the woman's health. You should find out as soon as possible why brown discharge appeared: otherwise, there is a risk of missing the moment, and a latent disease will lead to unpleasant consequences.

The nature of dark secretions

In women who do not have health problems, the discharge is a transudate of the glands located on the wall of the vagina. Under normal conditions, mucus is colorless and odorless. If it turns white and acquires a sour smell, this may indicate a problem with the microflora of the vagina.

If the bacterial balance is disturbed and against the background of various diseases, the color of the transudate may change. By the color of the discharge, doctors can roughly guess the disease that caused such changes.

Brown discharge in women very often indicates the presence of a serious pathology. However, there are conditions under which the transudate will turn brown, but this will be considered normal. We are talking about the phases of the cycle and taking certain medications.

The appearance of dark brown discharge should alert if Together with them, the following signs are revealed:

Brown discharge appears between periods.
Dark transudate appears between menstruation, and at the same time the woman does not take medications containing hormonal components.
The appearance of brown whites is accompanied by the appearance of pain in the lower abdomen, lower back and sacrum.
Leucorrhea accompanied by burning in the vagina.
Sexual intercourse becomes painful.
Rashes appear on the vaginal mucosa.
Discharge appears during menopause.
Discharge appears after sex.

Usually brown color indicates the presence of blood cells in the transudate. If bloody impurities come out outside certain phases of the cycle, then the woman should immediately contact a specialist to determine the cause of the brown discharge.

Causes of brown transudate

Dark discharge can appear due to normal physiological processes and various pathological conditions. For this reason, doctors divide the factors that affect the appearance of a brown transudate into 2 groups: normal and pathological.

Normal Factors

Brown discharge often appears the day before the onset of menstruation. They always indicate that rejection of endometrial cells has begun in the uterus. This is the norm, but only if spotting leucorrhoea disappears within 2 days. If this does not happen, then you should consult a gynecologist.

Brown discharge can completely replace menstruation. This usually happens in the first month of pregnancy. In this case, the appearance of dark whites is explained by the implantation of the embryo into the endometrium of the uterus, which provokes harmless bleeding in the middle of the cycle.

Dark transudate can also be released after menstruation. The reason for this is the rapid clotting of blood. At the end of the cycle, the volume of bleeding decreases and they move more slowly. The blood in them has time to clot, which gives the secretions a specific shade.

Finally, dark leucorrhoea can provoke such a contraceptive as an intrauterine device. As a rule, after its removal, pathological signs disappear.

Pathological causes

When dark whites persist after menstruation for a long time, then they can be considered pathological. To establish their causes, you need to go to the gynecologist and undergo a full examination.

The brown hue of the discharge indicates the presence of impurities in coagulated blood. This may indicate both vaginal dysbacteriosis and more serious diseases and pathological conditions:

Brownish and sometimes almost black discharge in women can also be triggered by stress, lack of sleep, hormone deficiency, poor diet and bad habits.

By the way, a passion for strict diets can also cause smearing whites on a girl's underpants.

Establishing diagnosis

External signs and results of the anamnesis are not enough to make an accurate diagnosis. Before deciding on treatment, the doctor prescribes the following types of research to the patient:

If necessary, doctors of other specialties can be involved in the examination. In the future, they take part in the preparation of treatment tactics.

Medical tactics

All drugs for the treatment of brown discharge should be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication is very dangerous. Moreover, the greatest danger is the uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs.

The treatment regimen is determined by the results of the studies.

If bacterial vaginosis is detected, a woman may be prescribed Clindamycin and Metronidazole.

If spotting whites provoked by urogenital candidiasis, then the patient receives Fluconazole or Clotrimazole.

With trichomoniasis, a woman is prescribed drugs such as Tieidazole, Nimorazole, Ornidazole.

Detection of neoplasms in the uterus complicates the treatment somewhat. For their treatment, hysteroscopy or surgical treatment can be used. With endometriosis, doctors today often resort to laparoscopy.

For the treatment of fibroids at the initial stages, hormonal contraceptives are prescribed: Janine, Dufaston, Regulon.

Erythromycin, Roxithromycin, Acyclovir, Panavir are often used to treat various infections.

Medical and surgical treatment is always supplemented with the intake of immunomodulators and vitamin complexes.

It is allowed to use alternative methods of treatment, but before that you need to get permission from the treating specialist.

With the appearance of spotting whites, traditional medicine recommends use the following tools:

Drink at least 100 ml of barberry juice daily.
Chew locust flowers throughout the day, but do not swallow them.
Eat fresh juniper berries at least 3 times a day.
Douche the vagina with a decoction of immortelle flowers.
Drink 3 cups of St. John's wort daily.

Many traditional healers recommend being treated with a decoction of the womb uterus. This is a fairly effective remedy, but it can only be used if the doctor has not prescribed hormonal drugs for the woman. In addition, the hog uterus should be discarded if the patient has low blood clotting.

Preventive measures

Every woman can, if not prevent, then reduce the risk of brownish discharge from the genitals. To do this, follow the following recommendations:

You should not think that you can get rid of spotting with the help of pads and tampons. They indicate the presence of a pathological process in the body. You must immediately make an appointment with a specialist. Only a doctor can identify and cure the disease.

Vaginal secretion is able to indicate natural and signal pathological processes in a woman's body, so attention is drawn to it first of all. It is possible to assume what brown discharge can mean, based on the time of their occurrence, the duration of the course, and the presence of additional symptoms.

When the symptom is within the normal range

Under certain conditions, the causes of brown discharge in women are not associated with pathology. To provoke a brownish vaginal fluid with mucus can:

inaccurate or prolonged sexual intercourse;
rupture of the follicular sac during ovulation;
conception;
the beginning of pregnancy;
postpartum recovery;
adaptation to birth control pills;
intense physical activity or sports;
stabilization of the monthly cycle in a girl;
preparing the body for menstruation;
the release of the remaining endometrium after menstruation;
premenopause and menopause.

If the phenomenon occurs in the middle of the cycle

During the fertile period or ovulation, blood may appear in the abundant mucous fluid of the cervical canal. At first, but after the rupture of the follicle in which the egg matures, the mucus may darken due to the ingress of coagulated blood, turning brown. Normally, the liquid should have the following characteristics:

Minor volume.
Smearing character.
(see photo).
Duration up to two days.
No foul odor, pain, or feeling of tension around the ovaries.

It is imperative to go to the hospital if a similar situation is noted constantly, the general condition worsens, and, without interruption, turning into menstruation.

Before menstruation

A few days before monthly bleeding, a girl can observe traces on linen or daily from minor brown mucous secretions. This phenomenon is unique. The fibrous structure of the secret should not be frightening, since this is how the body signals the beginning of the process of rejection of the mucous layer of the uterus.

Prolonged discharge of a smearing nature of a brownish or maroon hue a week before menstruation can be caused by:

stress
wrong diet;
strict diets;
overweight;
wrong way of life;
lack of sleep;
smoking, drugs and alcohol;
constant physical overstrain;
severe hormone deficiency.

Brown discharge between periods in most cases indicates a violation of the menstrual cycle or the presence of pathology. A particularly dangerous symptom is the unpleasant odor of the secreted fluid and constant pain in the abdomen and lower back.

After menstruation

There should not be much brown mucus from the genital tract, since implantation damages a small number of blood vessels. Some women have no such early sign at all, so secretion with blood does not always mean pregnancy.

Brown discharge in women after ovulation after 6-12 days can indicate fertilization. The time interval depends on the individual characteristics of the organism.

Additional symptoms:

swelling and soreness of the mammary glands;
frequent urge to go to the toilet;
increased drowsiness;
sudden mood swings;
dizziness and fatigue.

Hormonal fluctuations

At the beginning of the use of oral contraceptives or an intrauterine device, the body gradually adjusts to the contraceptive. The adaptation period can last about three months, accompanied by minor.

In this situation, it is necessary to pay attention to the discomfort, as well as the specific period of the cycle when this or that vaginal secretion occurs. A woman can cause dark vaginal discharge:

skipping a pill;
violation of instructions;
taking a large dose of the drug;
wrong type OK.

When discharge indicates a pathology

Without serious knowledge of gynecology, it is difficult to independently establish why brown discharge occurs, and there is significant discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen. But a woman can pay attention to the following signs, which should be the reason for an immediate visit to the gynecologist:

The bloody secretion is too thick or watery.
The amount of fluid that comes out is getting bigger every time.
The pad gets wet in less than an hour.
Blood is noted in the mucus systematically.
Sexual contact is accompanied by pain.
There is a high body temperature for no reason.
There is an unpleasant smell.
Feeling itchy and burning.
Missing periods for a long time.
There are a large number of clots during pseudomenstruation.

Often the pathological condition of the reproductive system manifests itself in the release of a large amount of secretion with blood. However, gynecological pathologies do not always make themselves felt with vivid symptoms, so they can be mistakenly correlated with the consequences of stress, starvation, inaccurate intercourse and other relatively non-dangerous provocateurs. Therefore, if brownish discharge of any intensity is detected, you should visit a gynecologist. Consider the most common pathologies accompanied by the described symptom.

If the discharge goes instead of menstruation

This secret can be noted instead of menstruation. This is a meager smearing secretion (up to 50 ml), which is accompanied by the following symptoms:

lower back pain;
feeling of tightness or pain in the chest;
shade the lower abdomen or suprapubic area;
dizziness;
nausea.

The symptom can be caused by the following reasons:

Hormonal disbalance.
Pituitary dysfunction.
Endometrial trauma.
Consequence of an abortion.
protracted inflammatory process.
Improper functioning of the endocrine system.
Strong physical activity.
Exhausting sports.
Start of pregnancy.

Why do highlights change color?

The brownish color of the fluid from the vagina varies depending on the factor of occurrence: light brown, brown, or even black. Vaginal secretion may darken due to:

taking antibiotics;
hormonal imbalance;
aggravation of the disease;
development of diabetes;
malfunction of the endocrine system;
hormone treatment.

Remember that the normal secretion, after getting on the linen after some time under the influence of oxygen, darkens slightly, acquiring a light yellow-brown hue.

Gynecological diseases and pathologies of pregnancy

The appearance of copious dark brown discharge cannot be associated with the normal processes in the body. This sign indicates:

inflammatory processes;
genital infections;
ectopic (ectopic pregnancy);
the threat of miscarriage (from the first to the third trimester);
endometritis;
cystitis;
endometriosis;
erosion of the cervix;
polyps;
endometrial hyperplasia;
benign neoplasms;

Diseases may not be diagnosed for a long time because the symptoms do not appear immediately. A woman may be unaware of the pathology, and not observe any obvious signs. The appearance of dark brown discharge often indicates an already advanced case, which will be much more difficult to treat. It is for this reason that without a good reason, you should visit a gynecologist every six months, and if there are unnatural symptoms, immediately.

Problems with pregnancy and malignant tumors are considered especially dangerous, because in these situations there is a threat to the life of the patient without timely treatment or surgery.

Cystitis

With inflammation of the urethra or the bladder itself, blood is released, which is not related to diseases of the reproductive system. After frequent urination, a woman not only notes, but also pain in the lower abdomen or lower back. Additional symptoms of urethritis resemble the common cold. The following symptoms and characteristics of the secreted fluid should alert:

the appearance of blood in the urine;
frequent urge to urinate;
cloudy urine;
high body temperature;
vomiting and nausea.

Infectious diseases

Infection of the genital organs of a woman in the absence of timely treatment causes protracted inflammatory processes. Such violations affect the amount and shade of vaginal secretions. To prevent complications, women need to know the nature of the dangerous brown discharge and what infections they occur with.

chlamydia;
gonorrhea;
trichomoniasis;
candidiasis (thrush);
genital herpes;
mycoplasmosis;
ureaplasmosis;
bacterial vaginosis;
gardnerellosis.

The occurrence of these diseases can occur asymptomatically until the infection provokes inflammation. Each type of pathology has its own signs, but in any condition, brown vaginal discharge is a serious reason to visit a doctor and take a smear for microscopic examination.

Dark discharge can be considered normal or indicate the development of a pathological process in the body. In case of any ailments, it is necessary to consult a specialist and in no case self-medicate. Only on the basis of the results of the examination and tests, the doctor will prescribe an effective treatment.

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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