Brown discharge from the vagina is a normal occurrence during sure times of the calendar month, such every bit before or subsequently a period. It can be due to a pocket-sized corporeality of claret appearing in the discharge as the period starts or dry out, old blood leaving the vagina subsequently a period.

However, in some cases, dark-brown vaginal discharge may be a sign of an underlying condition.

This article discusses when people might experience chocolate-brown belch and when to see a doctor.

A woman holds a menstrual cup as she experiences brown discharge after her period. Share on Pinterest
While brown discharge may exist a normal part of the menstrual cycle, it could exist a symptom of an underlying condition.

There are several potential causes of brown discharge or spotting. While it is very common leading up to and immediately following a period, it does take other possible causes. These tin can exist benign or may require medical attention.

Before and after a menses

It is common for a person to have dark-brown vaginal discharge a few days before their flow, too as a few days afterwards it. When it occurs before, it is likely a light, early catamenia.

Post-obit a menses, brownish belch is due to leftover menstrual claret leaving the vagina.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the time leading upward to menopause. Co-ordinate to the Northward American Menopause Social club, information technology can last for four–8 years. Perimenopause symptoms can include night sweats, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists note that perimenopause can crusade irregular bleeding and spotting. People should nonetheless discuss any abnormal haemorrhage with a doctor, even so, every bit information technology could be a sign of polyps or a hormonal imbalance.

Birth control

Certain birth command methods may cause spotting or some chocolate-brown discharge. For instance, a person may experience irregular haemorrhage or spotting for about 3–vi months following the placement of an intrauterine device (IUD).

Co-ordinate to the Guild of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, birth control pills tin can cause spotting or brownish belch for the first few months of taking them. Spotting is more mutual with progestin-only pills than with those that also contain estrogen. It tin likewise occur when people take a pill belatedly.

People should run across their physician if they however take abnormal bleeding afterward 3 months of using the same birth command.

Pregnancy-related

During early pregnancy, a person may experience harmless spotting, light bleeding, or brown discharge. This may occur due to implantation bleeding, which can happen when the embryo first attaches to the uterus, or as a event of the uterus removing one-time claret.

In later pregnancy, brown discharge could be a sign of issues with the placenta or preterm labor.

Pregnancy-related bleeding may be a sign of early pregnancy loss if:

  • the bleeding is heavier
  • there is abdominal cramping
  • the discharge of fluid or tissue accompanies it

If a person notices brown belch during pregnancy, they should talk to their doctor.

Several medical conditions may cause brown belch. The post-obit are some mutual ones:

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a metabolic and hormonal condition that affects 1 in 10 females of childbearing historic period. Aside from brownish spotting, it can cause:

  • missed periods
  • thinning pilus
  • acne
  • facial hair growth
  • weight gain
  • concealment peel in certain areas of the torso

A person should talk to their physician about a handling plan that can help them manage their symptoms.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

STIs can crusade unusual vaginal belch. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, infections that could crusade a brownish belch include:

  • gonorrhea
  • chlamydia
  • pelvic inflammatory affliction, which can exist due to untreated cases of gonorrhea or chlamydia

Some people may not feel whatsoever symptoms. However, those who exercise may have:

  • smelly discharge that may exist white, yellow, chocolate-brown, or dark-green
  • pain during sex or urination
  • pain in the abdomen
  • itchiness around the genitals
  • rash or sores

Handling for STIs depends on the crusade of the infection. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics for a bacterial infection or antiviral medication for a viral infection.

A person who suspects that they take an STI should talk to a doctor to prevent potential complications.

Hormonal imbalances

Hormonal imbalances may cause spotting or bleeding between periods, which can cause brown discharge. Certain factors can modify hormone levels and cause aberrant bleeding from the uterus. These include:

  • medications that affect estrogen and progesterone
  • diabetes
  • liver or kidney disorders
  • thyroid or adrenal gland issues
  • stress
  • significant weight changes

People with abnormal bleeding between periods can come across a doctor to discuss treatment options.

Ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts are fluid filled sacs that class on the inside of the ovaries. In many cases, they exercise not cause symptoms. In other cases, a person may feel:

  • tum pain
  • weight gain
  • hurting during sex
  • trouble emptying the bladder
  • tenderness in the breasts
  • bleeding or spotting betwixt periods

Some people may not require handling for ovarian cysts, but a physician volition go along to monitor them for any changes. Cysts may go abroad by themselves afterward one or two menstrual cycles.

If a cyst is large, cancerous, or causing symptoms, people may require surgical treatment to remove it.

In some cases, brown discharge may come in place of a period.

For example, a withdrawal drain — which occurs when a person using a nascence command pill takes inactive pills or no pills for a few days a calendar month — may sometimes crusade brownish discharge rather than haemorrhage that resembles typical menstrual bleeding.

A person should talk to their doc if they feel an unexpected brown belch during their bicycle and are concerned almost what is causing it. They should too contact their dr. if other symptoms co-occur, including:

  • fever
  • hurting in the abdomen
  • pain when urinating or during sex
  • foul smelling discharge

Pregnant people should talk to a doc about unexpected changes in their discharge. These will ordinarily non be cause for business, merely they tin can sometimes be a sign of an underlying issue.

Brown discharge is common and often the result of a benign cause, especially if information technology occurs a few days earlier or after a period.

Withal, brown discharge can be a cause for concern if there are other symptoms present or the person is at take chances of an STI.

A doctor tin can examine the discharge and provide handling if there is an underlying medical status. Depending on the cause, treatment may cure or help manage the condition.

Information technology may not be possible to preclude dark-brown discharge. People tin take precautions to protect themselves against some causes, though, such as STIs. They tin can do this past:

  • using barrier methods, such as condoms, during sexual action
  • limiting the number of sexual partners
  • undergoing regular testing for STIs
  • checking that sexual partners test regularly for STIs

Using nonhormonal birth control methods may assist people avoid brown discharge in place of a period.

Chocolate-brown discharge tin be a normal part of the menstrual cycle, and it typically comes simply before and later a menstruum.

In other cases, it may be the result of an underlying medical condition. If a medical condition is causing brownish belch, a person may experience other symptoms. People can see their doctor for diagnosis and handling.