Brown discharge in women
Vaginal discharge is a secret produced by the glands of the vagina and uterus, characterized by odorlessness, mucous consistency and lack of color (whitish color of the secret is also considered the norm). The secret contains mucus secreted by the cervical canal of the cervix, dead cells of the epithelium of the cervical canal and vagina, bacteria that provide the acidic environment of the vagina and secreted secretions, which in some cases causes an acidic smell of secretions. The amount, consistency, color and odor of vaginal discharge varies according to the phase of the cycle, due to changes in hormone levels. Vaginal discharge is a natural physiological process of the female body. Normally, vaginal discharge is not accompanied by unpleasant sensations: itching, burning, vaginal dryness and irritation of the external genital organs. The acquisition of an uncharacteristic color, odor, consistency, and the appearance of concomitant symptoms indicate the development of pathological processes in the uterus and vagina.
The nature of brown discharge
Brown discharge is a natural secret with impurities of blood, which indicates the pathological nature of the discharge. Bloody periodic discharge is the norm for a healthy woman of reproductive age. Normally, the color of menstrual flow varies from bright red to dark, due to the presence of enzymes in it. In a healthy woman, menstrual bleeding lasts from 3 to 8 days. The appearance of spotting (discharge of a brown tint) in any other phase of the cycle is a deviation from the norm. Brown discharge occurs in 80% of women. Depending on the reasons that cause uncharacteristic discharge, they speak of a physiological norm or a pathological disorder.
Brown discharge in women: norm and pathology
Brown discharge in girls in the middle of the menstrual cycle is considered the norm in the following cases:
- The use of various hormonal contraceptives (oral, intrauterine devices, patches);
- Possible injury to the walls of the vagina or cervix (with personal hygiene, aggressive sexual intercourse);
- At the first sexual intercourse;
- On the eve of menstrual bleeding (in some cases, brown discharge appears several days before the expected menstruation, which indicates only the scarcity of menstrual flow, in which the blood has time to clot);
- After the end of menstrual bleeding for several days.
Brown discharge in girls in these cases is a variant of the norm due to hormonal changes, however, the amount of discharge, its consistency, and smell should also be taken into account. If the discharge becomes brown, becomes abundant, has a heterogeneous consistency, is characterized by an unpleasant odor, then in such cases a pathological process takes place. Brown discharge that appears during ovulation (usually between the 11th and 19th days of the cycle) is also considered a variant of the norm. Discharge may appear during egg implantation, and discharge may be accompanied by stabbing pain in the lower abdomen. Such discharge is of a short-term nature, smearing. In this case, they talk about implantation bleeding.
Brown discharge in women is a sign of pathology in the following cases:
- The appearance of pathological discharge in the middle of the cycle, if a woman does not take hormonal contraceptives;
- Brown discharge in menopause in the absence of normal menstrual bleeding for 1 year or more;
- Regular bleeding after intercourse;
- Discharge accompanied by pain, itching, burning sensation, fever.
For any pathological discharge, it is necessary to consult a doctor for a complete examination, since brown discharge in women is symptoms of various gynecological diseases, which, if not properly treated, can result in infertility, the development of benign and malignant neoplasms.
Brown discharge: the reasons for the appearance at different stages of the cycle
Brown
discharge, which, in fact, is natural vaginal discharge with blood impurities, is divided by gynecologists into the following types:
- Intermenstrual bleeding;
- Uterine bleeding.
When diagnosing intermenstrual brown discharge, the causes may be:
- The use of hormone-containing medications that affect the menstrual cycle;
- Mental shock (emotional outbursts, shock, states of constant stress);
- Hormonal disorders of various etiologies;
- Genital trauma, some types of gynecological procedures;
- Inflammatory processes, gynecological diseases, STDs;
- Intrauterine device.
Determination of the causes of the appearance of pathological discharge is necessary for the appointment of effective therapy.
When diagnosing brown uterine discharge, the causes may be:
- Tumor processes of the uterus and appendages;
- Pathological processes of the endometrium (endometritis, endometriosis);
- Cervical erosion;
- Ovarian cystic formations.
Brown discharge after menstruation: when to see a doctor
Brown discharge after menstruation is a variant of the norm in the following cases:
- Scanty spotting, not accompanied by itching, burning;
- Absence of pain, symptoms of inflammation, fever;
- The amount of discharge gradually decreases;
- The duration of such discharge does not exceed 3 days, and in total with the period of menstrual bleeding, the periods last no more than 8 days.
Brown discharge after menstruation is a residual phenomenon, the removal of excess blood from the uterus. The discharge becomes brown due to the fact that blood clotting increases at the end of menstruation.
If brown discharge after menstruation appears a few days after the complete stop of menstrual bleeding, then the following examinations should be carried out:
- Pregnancy test, ultrasound to exclude ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage;
- Smear, PCR analysis for the presence of chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, gardnerella, CMV, herpes virus.
Brown discharge during pregnancy: norm and pathology
Brown discharge during pregnancy is considered a pathology. Normally, discharge may appear during implantation of the ovum, when the integrity of the endometrium is violated for a period of 1-2 weeks. Brown spotting may also appear during pregnancy in the first trimester on the days of the expected menstruation. For any brown discharge, see your doctor.
Causes of brown discharge during pregnancy:
- Low progesterone levels, which provokes endometrial rejection and threatens miscarriage;
- Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy;
- Placental abruption, presentation.
Any brown discharge during pregnancy at a later date poses a threat of miscarriage.
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