What do brown highlights mean? Brown discharge in women - causes and treatment

Ideally, there should be no bloody or brown discharge from the genital tract in women outside of menstruation. But often girls notice a daub before or after menstruation, as well as after sexual intercourse. It is necessary to pay attention to this, often serious diseases are hidden behind such minor manifestations. When should you sound the alarm and run to the doctor? In what case can brown discharge between periods be normal?

Read in this article

Allocations are normal

Discharge from the genital tract of a girl can change throughout the entire menstrual cycle. It depends on age, hormonal levels, the presence of various diseases and some other reasons.

During puberty, when puberty is just beginning, the estrogen-rich body begins to stimulate the formation of mucus in the vagina. It can be transparent, whitish in color. Most often, it is viscous in consistency, sometimes like “lumps”. All this testifies to the favorable development of puberty, the full health of the girl and the fact that her menstrual function will soon improve.

After sexual intercourse

Stormy intimate relationships, especially in a state of alcoholic or narcotic influence, often lead to genital injuries. Moreover, their nature varies from small cracks to serious breaks. In the first case, you don’t have to worry much, a slight daub will pass in a day or two. But with heavy discharge, often without surgical intervention you can not do, you should seek medical help.

At the first sexual experience, spotting may also be detected, usually a few drops or a slight daub. Their repetition is allowed up to 3 - 4 sexual contacts.

While taking oral contraceptives

In the first month of taking hormonal drugs, including for the purpose of contraception, bloody discharge from the genital tract is often observed. It can be a short-term daub, and sometimes more plentiful and long-term regulation.

Similar failures of the menstrual cycle are allowed during the first month. If symptoms persist, you should consult a doctor for examination. This may indicate an inadequate dose of the hormone in the preparation or that it is not suitable for this girl.

This pathology is more common in premenopausal women, after numerous abortions and other interventions in the uterine cavity. But there are cases of the disease in young nulliparous girls.

Most often, this causes brown discharge between periods without pain. Sometimes they can be mistaken for ovulatory ones, but the constant nature makes it necessary to look for a more serious cause.

Hyperplasia and polyps of the endometrium, in addition to intermenstrual discharge, are the cause of heavy, with clots of menstruation.

Malignant neoplasms

The oncological process also manifests with irregular spotting. Their nature can be different - from smearing to plentiful. Their appearance is often noted, including after sexual intercourse.

Bloody discharge in menopause in 30% of cases indicates endometrial cancer.

Pathology of the cervix

In the presence of erosion of the cervix, a polyp of the cervical canal, periodic spotting between menstruation of a brown color may appear. They are provoked by sexual contacts, physical activity, etc.

A characteristic feature of endometriosis is the appearance of smearing brown discharge on the eve of menstruation and after them. Usually their duration is more than 2 - 3 days. In this case, pain, discomfort, including during sexual intercourse, may appear.

Pathology of the thyroid gland and other endocrine organs

The thyroid gland, to a greater extent than other organs of internal secretion, affects the functioning of the genital organs and the regularity of the menstrual cycle. Therefore, with its pathology, violations occur more often, including intermenstrual discharge.

The presence of the Navy

The intrauterine device can cause spotting on the eve of menstruation and after them. And sometimes they last up to 3 - 5 days, which brings considerable discomfort to the woman. All this can be accompanied by and. So the body reacts to such a foreign body. Only by removing the IUD, it will be possible to get rid of the symptoms.

What color tells

Bloody discharge can have a different color. But it is impossible to say what the cause of the violations is only on this basis.

So, the following can be distinguished:

  • brown,
  • very dark, almost
  • bright scarlet, bloody.

If greenish shades are added to this, of a purulent nature, as well as with an unpleasant, putrid odor, which indicates that the infection is attached to the underlying disease. In this case, you should not hesitate to visit a doctor.

Spotting after intercourse

"Contact" spotting, which appears in a woman immediately or a few hours after sex, always alerts doctors. This is one of the most common and early signs of cervical cancer. That is why, in the event of such complaints, it is necessary to undergo a complete examination in order to identify the pathology in an unopened form.

But not only with cancer of the cervix and vagina, brown discharge appears between menstruation, the causes may be hidden in the polyp of the cervical canal or uterine cavity, erosion, inflammation, and some others. Finally, only a doctor can figure it out after the examination.

Diagnosis of the presence of pathology

What does brown discharge mean after menstruation. Dark discharge after menstruation is often the reason ... Discharge with streaks of blood after menstruation ... Brown discharge between periods: causes ...
  • Menses brown. Menstrual bleeding is one of the signs of a healthy female body, ready for childbearing. ... Brown discharge between periods: causes ...


  • 09.12.2017 at 16:31

    Hello! You describe complaints a little chaotically, at least I don’t quite understand)). So, it would be nice if you could answer the following questions:
    1. Before or after monthly discharge, or not at all dependent on them
    2. Every month?
    3. Height and weight, have you had episodes of high blood sugar?
    4. Have you ever been tested for sexually transmitted infections by PCR or culture.
    After that, you will be able to judge what is happening to you.

    regarding Metrogyl, do not worry, if you have ruled out pregnancy, the drug will not bring harm. Another question is how much it will help). If you are very worried, try to sign up, for example, in a private clinic, there is no queue. All the best!

    Elena

    I am 14 years old and have not had my period yet, but there is a discharge of light brown and dark brown colors, the last 4 days, what can this mean?

    Daria Shirochina (obstetrician-gynecologist)

    Hello! Bloody or brown discharge from the genital tract is either a sign of the onset of menstruation or other diseases. First of all, you should tell someone close to you - your mother, sister, etc. Adults who are familiar with menstruation will help figure out if it is.) Also, pregnancy should not be ruled out, but only if you are sexually active. If the discharge continues to be smearing, or you do not exclude pregnancy, you should consult a doctor. If they “pass” into normal copious spotting, then this is the beginning of the menstrual function. All the best!

    Brown discharge in women, what is it, should they be regarded as menstruation or a symptom of a disease? There are many reasons for this symptom. If this happens repeatedly, you need to be examined by a gynecologist, who will not only send you for an ultrasound scan, but also examine the walls of the vagina and cervix, and take an anamnesis. Thus, the causes of brown discharge are clarified, the issue of treatment is being resolved.

    Adenomyosis

    With this disease, endometrial cells (this is the upper layer in the uterine cavity, which is updated 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. It causes pain in the lower abdomen, heavy menstruation, dark brown discharge in women at the end of menstruation.

    On ultrasound, this diagnosis is preliminarily made. It is possible to accurately determine adenomyosis, as well as the prevalence of the process in the uterus, using hysteroscopy - examination of the uterine cavity with a special optical device.

    Unfortunately, there is no cure for 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 loss during menstruation and intermenstrual bleeding.

    Adenomyosis is a hormone-dependent disease. That is, you can wait until menopause, and his symptoms will disappear. Also, brown discharge during pregnancy cannot be the result of adenomyosis. Pregnancy is a kind of cure.
    If menopause is far away, doctors prescribe hormonal drugs according to different schemes. If 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. Intermenstrual discharge in women of brown color disappears. Periods come regularly and are painless. Their blood loss is negligible.

    Chronic endometritis

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

    Symptoms of the disease are subfebrile temperature, irregular menstrual cycle, light brown discharge, prolonged, heavy and painful menstruation, intermenstrual bleeding. Sometimes menstruation disappears altogether. There are pelvic pains.

    The causative agents of the inflammatory process can be a variety of microorganisms, including those that provoke bacterial vaginosis. Brown discharge with a smell in women is just evidence of this. However, viruses can also be to blame for chronic endometritis. For example, cytomegalovirus and herpetic infection. It is necessary to be treated, otherwise the inflammation will go to the ovaries, fallopian tubes. Antibacterial agents are usually prescribed.

    Injury to the vagina and cervix

    In the case of an injury received during sexual intercourse, a 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's called true. It resolves 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 can bleed after gynecological manipulation - for example, taking material from the cervix for analysis.

    Contraception

    Taking hormonal contraceptives can cause intermenstrual discharge. The probability of this side effect is especially high in the first three cycles of its administration. But this is considered the norm if the discharge is not abundant. Everything passes without treatment. The body "gets used" to the drug.

    When installing an intrauterine system (IUD), bleeding for several days in all women. But for some, intermenstrual discharge occurs even a few months after the installation of the IUD. In this case, doctors recommend changing the method of contraception.

    Oncological diseases of the uterus

    Namely, cancer of the endometrium and cervix. The fact that brown discharge may be their 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 had an early sexual life and had several sexual partners. After all, it has already been proven that the cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus of some types, those that affect the genitals. The virus is transmitted sexually. That is why all women who have HPV detected in tests or when examined by gynecologists, rashes are visible on the cervix - they are at risk for oncology.

    And these are by no means all the reasons why women may experience bloody (brown) discharge from the vagina. To understand independently and even more so to recover - it is not possible. You need to consult a gynecologist.

    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 an occasion to think about their cause. So do not self-medicate and good health to you!

    Dmitry Belov

    If there is a brown discharge in women, then as soon as possible you need to contact a gynecologist. There are many diseases that are characterized by the appearance of brown discharge in women.

    The first thing to do is to figure out why a woman's brown discharge began at one time or another. After that, it will be possible to decide on effective therapeutic measures.

    Causes

    Every woman knows that vaginal discharge is normal. However, brown discharge in women indicates that the leucorrhoea is present with ichor or bloody inclusions, which means that there is dysfunction in the reproductive system.

    Below are all the possible reasons for this phenomenon, for clarity, you can see the photo of each manifestation, characteristic of each of the reasons.

    Diseases

    First of all, it is worth paying attention to several diseases, which are characterized by the appearance of an atypical secret from the vagina:

    • endometritis. The disease is characterized by the appearance of a strong focus of inflammation on the uterine mucosa. You can observe the appearance of brown discharge with an unpleasant odor shortly before or after menstruation. In some cases, brown mucus appears in the middle of the cycle. If the patient has a disease with chronic endometritis, and she plans to become pregnant, then you should initially get rid of the disease, since there is a risk of miscarriage, regardless of the gestational age;
    • endometriosis. If endometriosis is localized on the cervix or body of the uterus, then one of the symptoms is dark brown discharge. At its core, the development of the disease on the cervix is ​​the formation of nodular, cystic seals, which over time grow and take the form of stripes. You can notice an atypical secret. In some cases, their color becomes light brown;
    • endometrial hyperplasia. If an atypical pathological secret with brown bloody inclusions of a smearing nature went after menstruation or began shortly before menstruation and continued after it, then most likely the cause is endometrial hyperplasia. Any gynecological disease, abortion or surgical intervention in the reproductive system, as well as a predisposition to this disease, can provoke a disease;
    • polyps. Due to hormonal disorders, it is likely that a polyp forms in the uterine mucosa. Additionally, an inflammatory process can provoke such a phenomenon;
    • detachment of the fetal egg. If a woman encountered brown secretions during pregnancy, while their nature is smearing or there are blood inclusions in the transparent mucus, then most likely the reason for this is detachment of the fetal egg. At the same time, the woman has a severe stomach ache in its lower part. Pain can also radiate to the lower back. The nature of the pain is cramping;
    • ectopic pregnancy. If the appearance of transparent mucus is observed, in which blood inclusions are clearly visible, then this is probably a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. At the same time, the patient's blood pressure decreases. Sometimes the stomach hurts, the pulse quickens and dizziness is present;
    • any disease characterized by the appearance of an inflammatory process. Such diseases include thrush, bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and others. Any and diseases are characterized by the appearance of brown discharge with a smell, there may also be itching and brown discharge and other manifestations. The discharge varies in color, from dark brown to yellow-brown or very light with a slight brown tint.

    If a woman has started taking contraceptives, which include hormonal substances, then the first 3 months from the start of taking, the appearance of brown discharge in odorless women may be observed.

    There should also be no other symptoms. If the discharge does not go away after a three-month period, then you need to contact a gynecologist for the selection of a new contraceptive, since this drug is rejected by the body.

    Menstruation cycle

    Many processes in the body depend on the menstrual cycle, and if smearing brown discharge went before menstruation, then this is a sign that menstruation will begin soon. This phenomenon is considered normal and is not a pathology.

    If such discharges go on for a long time and do not stop, and also appear in the middle of the cycle during the period of ovulation, then this is a reason to contact a gynecologist.

    Pregnancy

    If a woman encountered an atypical secret during pregnancy, then several periods should be considered:

    • in the first trimester, discharge with ichor may appear on the days when menstruation was supposed to go. This is a natural process and does not harm the body;
    • if the discharge appeared at a later date, for example, in the second trimester, then this condition is dangerous and may signal that placental abruption has occurred. In the future, this leads to bleeding and there is a risk of miscarriage;
    • in the last stages of pregnancy, brown discharge indicates the release of a cork that holds back amniotic fluid. After the appearance of brown discharge, contractions often begin. Such a phenomenon is considered normal and does not harm either the mother or the child.

    Climax

    Brown discharge can be a signal of the onset of menopause at the age of 40-45 years. Also during the period preceding the menopause. Such discharge may occur due to the restructuring of the hormonal system.

    This phenomenon does not pose a danger to the body, but it is still recommended to contact a gynecologist to exclude the possibility of developing diseases.

    Other factors

    In addition to diseases, there are some factors that can cause bleeding, they do not depend on menstruation:

    • appearance, which could appear due to rough sex or for other reasons;
    • neglect of the rules of intimate hygiene. Due to the fact that a woman does not sufficiently monitor the cleanliness of the genital organs, a change in the acid-base balance may occur. Because of this, the discharge becomes brown. You can get rid of them with the help of sitz baths of decoctions of chamomile or string. The duration of such baths should not be less than 1 week.

    If the cause of brown discharge or leucorrhoea mixed with blood is a mechanical injury to the vagina, then no special measures are required to get rid of a non-typical secret.

    You just need to refrain from intimacy, do not use tampons or sex toys for masturbation until the moment of recovery.

    Stop bleeding

    It is recommended that if brown discharge is detected, contact a gynecologist as soon as possible. When a small discharge mixed with blood or ichor has turned into severe bleeding, then you need to stop it.

    To stop bleeding, you can use:

    • dicynone;
    • vitaxol;
    • transekamom.

    However, if a woman is pregnant or is not sure about the rationality of using medications, then you need to call an ambulance.

    Self-administration of homeostatic drugs during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, can harm the health of the baby and mother, so it is recommended to take medication only after consulting a gynecologist.

    Conclusion

    Brown discharge is an occasion to pay attention to the health of the reproductive system and understand the nature of the phenomenon. It is important to do this as soon as possible, because in most cases brown discharge is a symptom of a dangerous disease. It is not recommended to postpone a visit to the gynecologist in such a situation.

    Brown discharge after menstruation is a very common complaint of women who care about personal health. Of course, there are cases when such a signal of the female body indicates the presence of any disease of the reproductive system.

    In general, vaginal discharge within 2-3 days after menstruation is the norm, when they are not accompanied by itching and burning, abdominal pain, are not characterized by a bad smell and other unpleasant symptoms.

    Otherwise, it is advisable to visit a good female doctor - a gynecologist, he will diagnose and say exactly what it means.

    Norm or pathology?

    It is known that discharge before and after menstruation is a normal condition for an absolutely healthy woman. They have the appearance of a transparent or white, odorless, mucus-like substance, which is excreted in a woman up to 50 mg per day.

    Isolation of brown mucus from the vagina in the next 2-3 days after the end of menstruation is the norm. This is due to the fact that the blood in the last days of menstruation is released slowly and by the time it leaves the vagina it already has time to clot and acquire a brown tint.

    If brown vaginal discharge occurs after a week or continues for a long time after the end of menstruation, a woman should immediately consult a doctor. Such a symptom may indicate the presence of endometriosis or endometritis - inflammatory lesions of the uterine mucosa. The unpleasant putrid smell of discharge should also alert - this may indicate the presence of an infection.

    I would also like to note that the absolutely normal cause of spotting, which can occur after menstruation, is the implantation of the embryo into the wall of the uterus. This can happen approximately one week after the day of ovulation if there was unprotected intercourse in the last month.

    In addition, spotting or brownish discharge between periods may be normal in women who take hormonal contraceptives, but only during the first few months after starting. In other cases, consultation with a gynecologist is necessary.

    Causes of brown discharge after menstruation

    The signal of the female body about the developing pathology is the discharge that appeared a couple of days after the last day of menstrual bleeding. In this case, the girl must definitely contact the gynecologist so that he establishes the cause of the discharge that has appeared and, if necessary, selects the appropriate treatment for the girl.

    What does it mean? Such separation may occur due to:

    • chronic endometritis;
    • uterine hyperplasia;
    • uterine polyps;
    • ectopic pregnancy;
    • STDs or other infections;
    • serious mucosal injury.

    Usually, in addition to brown secretions that are dangerous to health, a woman also feels other signs of “malfunctions” in the genital area. It can be pulling sudden, in the lumbar region, loss of strength, depression, unwillingness to have sexual contact, etc.

    The most reasonable thing you can do (and even necessary) is to immediately contact a gynecologist. Maybe everything will turn out to be completely harmless, but just a variant of the norm, but another outcome is also possible. And then a timely appeal for help to a qualified specialist can be not only getting rid of serious problems, but also saving a life.

    If they last more than three days and have an unpleasant odor, they are often a sign of chronic endometritis - an infectious and inflammatory disease of the uterus, which in most cases begins after a difficult birth or abortion.

    Dark brown discharge

    Discharge of this color may be signs of uterine hyperplasia or endometriosis. Often, such secretions appear with submucosal (located directly under the mucous membrane) endometrioid nodes in the wall of the uterus.

    The leading symptom of endometriosis, in addition to bleeding, is severe pain in the lower abdomen.

    Brown discharge after period after a week

    This symptom indicates a violation of the cycle or diseases of the female organs. Bloody discharge a week after menstruation may indicate:

    1. endometritis or endometriosis;
    2. Ectopic pregnancy. Allocations with blood in this period of time, together with low pressure and abdominal pain, make it possible to suspect this diagnosis.
    3. . This benign tumor gives bleeding a week after menstruation and at other times.
    4. Anovulation, that is, the lack of maturation of the egg. This can happen due to a long absence of menstruation.

    Sometimes, 7 days after menstruation, it smears with blood during a normal cycle failure caused by stress, changes in climatic living conditions, and overwork.

    endometritis

    This is a gynecological disease in which the internal tissues of the uterus become inflamed. It is possible to recognize endometritis by the strong unpleasant odor of discharge. There are times when endometritis can develop into a chronic stage.

    Endometritis can develop as a result of some intervention in the uterine cavity (abortion, curettage, etc.). If after such discharge continues for more than three days after the end of menstruation, you need to go to the doctor as soon as possible.

    endometriosis

    In endometriosis, cells of the endometrial tissue grow. The disease occurs more often in women 25–40 years of age. Brown discharge after menstruation is one of its main symptoms.

    The danger of the disease in the frequent absence of pain, so the symptoms of endometriosis are often ignored. Pathology is manifested by the presence of small cystic and nodular formations of red and bluish color. In addition to brown discharge, there are also bloody dark shades.

    endometrial hyperplasia

    This is another very serious reason. If this pathology develops in the body, then, in addition to all other signs, it can be easily seen during a special ultrasound. In some cases, such a disease is a signal from the body that some kind of oncological disease has appeared in it, in particular uterine cancer.

    That is why it is very important to contact a specialist in time and undergo an examination so that he can immediately exclude such a terrible cause.