Strange brown discharge. Vaginal discharge in women: normal and a sign of disease

Brown vaginal discharge 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 menstrual fluid comes out slowly and has time to come into 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 poses 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 be caused by intrauterine interventions during the prenatal period or the process of inflammation after an abortion. Brown discharge with endometritis can occur either at the beginning, at the end or in the middle of the menstrual 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 area cause virtually no pain and are difficult to diagnose in a timely manner. An alarming symptom of the disease is brown vaginal discharge. They usually appear a few days after menstruation. They have an unpleasant odor and sometimes contain small blood clots.

A collective name for various pathological processes in the uterus. The inner mucous membrane of the uterine body is susceptible to a huge number of diseases, from delayed embryonic 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 consult a specialist.

Inflammatory diseases of the vagina

Drugs to stop bleeding

Often young (and sometimes not so young) people, having read women’s forums on the Internet, resort to independently purchasing drugs that stop bleeding in any phase of the menstrual cycle. It should be remembered that drugs such as dicynon, vitaxol or transekam should be used only as prescribed by a doctor. Some hemostatic agents, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, can cause irreparable harm to health. So for any bloody discharge, be it brown or bright red, first see a doctor - and then go to the pharmacy!

And finally...

The gynecologist often does not care what color your vaginal discharge is. The light or dark brown color of the 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 its cause. So don’t self-medicate and wish you good health!

Dmitry Belov

They may signal the presence of chronic endometritis, i.e. inflammation of the endometrium - the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity. with endometritis, they occur before and after menstruation and often have a foul odor. Often brown mucus forms in the middle of the cycle and is combined with aching pain in the lower abdomen.

Chronic endometritis is dangerous during pregnancy; it can cause miscarriages at various stages. This anomaly is characterized by the fact that the process of fixation of the fertilized egg in the uterine cavity and its subsequent formation are disrupted. Untreated acute postpartum or post-abortion endometritis can lead to chronic endometritis; various intrauterine manipulations; imbalance between the body's hormonal and immune systems; latent infections.

With endometriosis there are dark brown discharge or with splashes of blood. In this case, the woman may not feel any discomfort or pain. Endometriosis of the cervix is nodular, small cystic formations or growths in the form of stripes of red or purplish-blue color. Dark bloody discharge may occur from certain areas

Spotting, bloody dark brown discharge at the end of the cycle before the onset of menstruation or prolonged periods after menstruation may indicate endometrial hyperplasia. The causes of hyperplasia can be varied. Very often, this pathology develops as a result of disorders of hormonal balance, as well as carbohydrate, lipid and other types of metabolism. The main role may be played by genetic predisposition, the presence of uterine fibroids, oncology of the genitals and breast, high blood pressure and other diseases, the symptoms of which have a detrimental effect during the period of intrauterine development, diseases during puberty and the disturbances of menstrual and subsequent reproductive functions provoked by them. The occurrence of hyperplasia in adulthood is often facilitated by previous gynecological diseases, abortions, and genital surgeries.

may be a sign of a polyp in the uterus. The cause of a polyp may be a pathology of the uterine mucosa or cervical canal against the background of an existing chronic inflammatory process. The cause of uterine polyps can often be attributed to hormonal disorders.

Brown during pregnancy - especially spotting, bloody - is one of the first symptoms of abruption of the ovum or placenta, which happened several days or even a week ago. Very often this kind of pain is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen and lumbar region, similar to mild contractions.

There are times when dark brown discharge with the presence of ichor indicate an ectopic pregnancy. In this case, a woman may feel a decrease in blood pressure, periodic or constant pain in the lower abdomen, increased heart rate, and dizziness.

They may also appear in the first months of using hormonal contraceptives. In this case, this can be called the norm. However, if such a phenomenon lasts for the 3rd month or more, this means that this remedy is not suitable and the selection of a different method of contraception is necessary.

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

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About normal discharge

Normally, a woman's vagina should release fluid. But not all discharge is normal. “Good” discharge includes clear, not abundant (from 50 mg per day), odorless mucus. Normal discharge does not cause discomfort, it does not cause itching, burning or irritation of the vagina. If you take a smear for microflora, it should reveal a normal number of leukocytes with a predominance of lactobacilli. Mucus discharge gradually increases in quantity until the day of ovulation (approximately 14 days after menstruation). During this period, the mucus changes its properties. The feeling of moisture in the external genital area at this time is absolutely normal.

But you need to be very careful about brown discharge! A brown, brownish tint to the liquid clearly indicates bloody or bloody additions to the mucus. And this, in turn, may indicate disorders of the female genital area. Further on 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 and often has an unpleasant odor. Sometimes brown mucus appears in the middle of the cycle and is combined with aching pain in the lower abdomen. Chronic endometritis is dangerous during pregnancy; it can lead to miscarriages at different stages. This pathology is due to the fact that the process of attachment of the fertilized egg in the uterine cavity and its further development are disrupted.

Chronic endometritis can result from:

acute postpartum or post-abortion endometritis that has not been completely cured;

intrauterine interventions;

imbalance between the body's hormonal and immune systems;

hidden infections.

Endometriosis

Brown or bloody discharge are also the main symptoms of endometriosis of the cervix or uterine body. This does not necessarily cause pain. Endometriosis of the cervix is nodular, small cystic formations or growths in the form of red or purplish-blue stripes. Dark bloody and brown discharge may appear from individual lesions. Endometriosis of the uterine body is the growth of endometrial cells in the myometrium (muscle layer of the uterus). Pathological discharge decreases in size after menstruation, and its 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 different nature. Most often, this pathology develops due to hormonal imbalances, as well as carbohydrate, lipid and other types of metabolism. An important role may 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 previous gynecological diseases, abortions, and genital surgeries.

Polyp

Brown discharge may be a sign of a polyp in the uterus. The cause of a polyp may be a 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 ovum

Brown discharge during pregnancy - spotting, bloody - is the first sign of abruption of the ovum or placenta, which happened several days or even a week ago. Often such discharge is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen and lumbar region, reminiscent of “mild” 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 constant pain in the lower abdomen, increased heart rate, and 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, it means that the drug is not suitable and the selection of a new method of contraception is required.

Don't expect trouble

If any discharge that bothers you appears other than those described above, this is a reason to immediately consult a doctor. The specialist will determine the cause of the discharge, prescribe the necessary treatment and save you from further development of the disease.

Brown discharge in women, what is it, should it be regarded as menstruation or a symptom of a disease? There are quite a few reasons for the appearance of this symptom. If this happens repeatedly, you need to be examined by a gynecologist, who will not only refer you for an ultrasound, but also examine the walls of the vagina and cervix, and collect an anamnesis. In this way, the causes of brown discharge are clarified and the issue of treatment is decided.

Adenomyosis

With this disease, endometrial cells (this is the upper layer in the uterine cavity, which is renewed with each menstruation) grow deep into the uterus, into its muscular layer - the myometrium. Adenomyosis is one of the main causes of infertility. A very common disease. Causes pain in the lower abdomen, heavy menstruation, dark brown discharge in women at the end of menstruation.

This diagnosis is made preliminary using ultrasound. Adenomyosis, as well as the prevalence of the process in the uterus, can be accurately determined using hysteroscopy - examination of the uterine cavity with a special optical device.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to cure adenomyosis. Only if the uterus is removed. But this is done extremely rarely, and if adenomyosis is combined with another pathology, for example, multiple uterine fibroids, a very large node, endometrial hyperplasia, large blood losses during menstruation and intermenstrual bleeding.

Adenomyosis is a hormone-dependent disease. That is, you can wait until menopause and its symptoms will disappear. Also, brown discharge during pregnancy cannot be a consequence of adenomyosis. Pregnancy serves as a kind of treatment.
If you are far from menopause, doctors prescribe hormonal drugs according to different regimens. If the symptoms are not too pronounced, and if pregnancy is not planned in the near future, hormonal contraceptives are prescribed in the form of tablets or an intrauterine system. Brown intermenstrual discharge in women disappears. My periods come regularly and are painless. Blood loss with them is insignificant.

Chronic endometritis

This disease causes damage to the endometrium by any infectious pathogens. They can enter the uterus as a result of various gynecological procedures that require penetration into the cavity of this organ. For example, collection of material for endometrial biopsy, abortion, hysteroscopy, etc.

Symptoms of the disease are low-grade fever, irregular menstrual cycle, light brown discharge, prolonged, heavy and painful menstruation, intermenstrual bleeding. Sometimes menstruation disappears altogether. Pelvic pain appears.

The causative agents of the inflammatory process can be a variety of microorganisms, including those that provoke bacterial vaginosis. Brown discharge with an odor in women is evidence of this. However, viruses can also be to blame for chronic endometritis. For example, cytomegalovirus and herpes infections. It is necessary to undergo treatment, otherwise the inflammation will spread to the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Antibacterial agents are usually prescribed - antibiotics.

Trauma to the vagina and cervix

In case of injury received during sexual intercourse, the woman feels pain and bleeding is short-lived. Does not require treatment. Only short-term sexual abstinence and further exclusion of actions that led to injury.

In case of injury to the cervix, erosion occurs on it. It is called true. Goes away on its own within 10 days. Some women use sea buckthorn suppositories and other folk remedies to speed up healing. But they are optional.

It may bleed after gynecological manipulation - for example, taking material from the cervix for analysis.

Contraception

Taking hormonal contraceptives can cause intermenstrual bleeding. The likelihood of this side effect is especially high in the first three cycles of taking it. But this is considered normal if the discharge is light. Everything goes away without treatment. The body “gets used” to the drug.

When an intrauterine system (IUD) is installed, all women bleed for several days. But for some, intermenstrual bleeding occurs several months after the installation of the IUD. In this case, doctors recommend changing the method of contraception.

Oncological diseases of the uterus

Namely, endometrial and cervical cancer. The fact that brown discharge may be a sign is a reason not to delay the examination. And if endometrial cancer is a more “age-related” disease, then problems with the cervix also occur in young women. Especially often in those who began sexual activity early and had several sexual partners. After all, it has already been proven that the cause of cervical cancer is certain types of human papillomavirus, those that affect the genitals. The virus is transmitted sexually. That is why all women who have HPV detected in tests or during examination by gynecologists, rashes are visible on the cervix - are at risk for oncology.

And these are by no means all the reasons why women may experience bloody (brown) vaginal discharge. It is not possible to figure it out on your own, much less cure it. You need to consult a gynecologist.

Vaginal discharge plays a vital role in the functioning of the female reproductive system. Secretory fluid, which is actively produced by glands located in the vagina and cervix, cleanses the genital tract of dead cells and pathogens, helping the body protect itself from infectious diseases.

The color of natural vaginal discharge can vary during the menstrual cycle from to completely clear. Such changes are not a cause for concern and should not cause a woman discomfort. However, if the shade of vaginal discharge differs significantly from the norm, and the appearance of leucorrhoea is accompanied by severe itching and an unpleasant odor, then there is every reason to believe that serious malfunctions are occurring in the patient’s body.

One of the types of pathological vaginal discharge is brown leucorrhoea. In most cases, their appearance indicates the presence of pronounced disturbances in the functioning of the woman’s reproductive system.

Brown discharge after menstruation

Brown vaginal discharge that appears immediately after the end of menstruation is considered the generally accepted norm. In most cases, they are a residual phenomenon following menstruation. Due to increased blood clotting at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, blood clots may take on a darker hue.

Prolonged brown vaginal discharge after menstruation is one of the symptoms of the development of polyps in the uterus, endometriosis or endometrial hyperplasia. In cases where leucorrhoea appears some time after the end of menstruation, women are advised to take a pregnancy test in order to rule out threatened abortion or the development of a fertilized egg outside the uterus.

Brown discharge before menstruation

Natural brown vaginal discharge may not appear until the day before your period begins. In cases where the leucorrhoea that precedes menstruation lasts 2 days or more, we can confidently say that there are malfunctions in the reproductive system.

Most often, pathological brown vaginal discharge indicates the development of:

hormonal disorders;
genital tract infections (for example, endometritis);
hematological diseases;
adenomyosis;
endometriosis.

In addition, the appearance of brown leucorrhoea before the onset of menstruation may indicate the presence of polyps, endometrial hyperplasia and other pathological processes in the uterus.

Brown discharge mid-cycle

The appearance of brown leucorrhoea in the middle of the cycle can be due to physiological and pathological reasons. In particular, discharge detected on days 12-14 of the cycle may indicate rupture of a mature follicle and the release of an egg from the ovary. In turn, spotting leucorrhoea that appears on days 17-20 of the cycle may indicate the completion of the process of implantation of the egg into the endometrial tissue. In order to refute or, on the contrary, confirm this version, you should take an hCG test.

It is important to understand that in some cases, brown vaginal discharge in the middle of the cycle can become the main signs of certain pathological conditions. In particular, the reasons for the appearance of dark leucorrhoea can be:

uterine fibroids;
tumor lesions of the uterine body;
polycystic ovary syndrome;
adenomyosis;
progesterone deficiency.

The listed conditions can pose a risk to a woman’s health and life, and therefore require timely diagnosis and competent, effective treatment.

Brown discharge instead of menstruation

Brown leucorrhoea instead of menstruation is a relatively rare occurrence. In some cases, their appearance may indicate the development of a number of gynecological problems in a woman (for example, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, endometrial hypertrophy or cervical polyps). However, most often the causes of brown vaginal discharge during this period are:

pregnancy;
restoration of internal organs and the body as a whole after childbirth;
taking hormonal contraceptives;
the beginning of menopause;
exhaustion of the body;
surgical intervention in the genital area.

In addition, the appearance of brownish discharge instead of menstruation can be triggered by emotional stress, chronic stress, exposure to toxins on the body, or improper, sudden weight loss.

Brown discharge during pregnancy

The appearance of brown leucorrhoea is a serious cause for concern. Most often, the cause of such vaginal discharge is:

ectopic development of a fertilized egg;
pregnancy fading;
risk of miscarriage;
placental abruption.

Meanwhile, the appearance of brown leucorrhoea during gestation does not always precede termination of pregnancy. For example, such discharge can be observed in the first trimester on days usual for menstruation. In addition, the cause of the appearance of dark leucorrhoea can be microtraumas of the vaginal mucosa received during a gynecological examination.

The appearance of any vaginal discharge, which in its smell, color and consistency is noticeably different from physiological ones, is an objective reason for going to the doctor. Only an experienced specialist will be able to quickly and accurately determine the cause of the pathology and prescribe competent and effective treatment.