home Audience 1 During menstruation, blood is brown: why? Causes and treatment of dark brown periods, what to watch out for

During menstruation, blood is brown: why? Causes and treatment of dark brown periods, what to watch out for

Every woman of reproductive age experiences menstruation every month. Their nature, volume and duration should normally remain unchanged. Naturally, suddenly appearing brown periods cause concern. However, such changes are not always a sign of pathology. There are many reasons for the appearance of uncharacteristic discharge.

It has a red or burgundy color. If there is a slight darkening of menstrual blood, it means that it has temporarily lingered in the vagina or uterus and has oxidized.

The explanation for why periods are brown is the small amount of discharge. Therefore, at the beginning of critical days and closer to their end, similar changes are observed. During this period, very little blood comes out.

In some cases, they occur in completely healthy women and adolescents. If blood loss during one menstruation is less than 30 ml, then serious pathologies can be suspected. The discharge may be brown or black.

They may indicate hormonal imbalance, diseases of the genitourinary system, underweight and pregnancy.

Regardless of the reason that led to such changes, you need to seek help from a gynecologist. Pathologies developing in the body often have a hidden clinical picture. In an advanced stage, they are difficult to treat and can lead to serious complications.

When is this the norm?

Sometimes, when menstruation is normal, the discharge becomes darker than usual. Such changes are not considered a sign of pathology in the following cases:

a day or two before the critical days. Usually menstruation begins with a brown spot. Its insignificant volume is a harbinger of regulation;
a day after menstruation. This is due to the release of the uterus from blood residues;
while taking oral contraceptives. During the first three cycles, dark brown periods are observed. Their appearance is provoked by hormonal changes in the body;
when critical days last no more than three days. For short periods, brown discharge is considered normal.;
after . Over the course of two years, similar periods may appear;
at the beginning of sexual activity. As a result of deflowering and after several subsequent sexual acts, slight bleeding may occur.

Causes of pathologically scanty periods

The reasons for brown periods do not always lie in the natural processes occurring in the body. Often, serious health problems lead to changes in the nature of discharge, including:

In the case of the presence of these diseases, the appearance of brown discharge is noted during menstruation, which may indicate a neglected situation. If an uncharacteristic secretion is detected, it is strongly recommended not to postpone a visit to the gynecologist. The sooner a pathology is diagnosed, the easier it is to eliminate it.

The reason for dark brown discharge often lies in the use of contraceptives such as birth control pills and intrauterine devices. In this case, such changes cannot be ignored either.

Only through diagnostics will it be possible to exclude other factors that can lead to the appearance of menstruation of an uncharacteristic color and avoid unwanted complications.

The following signs of pathology should cause concern:

discharge that is excessively thick or;
constant increase in the volume of blood lost;
pronounced pain in the abdomen and lower back;
severe headaches, up to;
heavy menstruation (the pad gets completely wet within a couple of hours);
frequent and painful urination;
intimacy accompanied by pain;
nausea and vomiting;
causeless increase in body temperature;
menstruation with an unpleasant odor;
burning and itching in the genital area;
long delays;
a large number of clots in the discharge.

Often, with the development of pathologies of the genitourinary system, the appearance of brown periods is noted. In this case, the symptoms of the disease may be mild. Such changes are mistakenly attributed to less dangerous causes, including stress, strict diet and excessive exercise. If you discover uncharacteristic discharge, you should immediately contact a gynecologist.

Only a doctor is able to identify the pathology and prescribe adequate treatment.

Brown discharge and pregnancy

During the first trimester of pregnancy, on the dates when your period is due, dark brown periods sometimes appear. These are scanty secretions that can be misleading. The absence of delayed menstruation and toxicosis does not allow early detection of pregnancy. Being in an interesting position, a woman may not suspect it for a long time.

Brown spotting is caused by the peculiarities of the process of hormonal changes occurring in the body during this period, and by an insufficient amount of progesterone in the blood. The hormone is designed to stop the growth of follicles that prevent the normal development of the embryo in the uterine cavity. In this case, the condition will return to normal as soon as the placenta, which produces progesterone, is formed. Immediately after this, the bleeding will stop.

The appearance of brown menstruation during pregnancy can be serious. A significant lack of progesterone, provoked by a pathological condition of the corpus luteum, can lead to spontaneous miscarriage. To maintain pregnancy, it is extremely important to begin therapy as quickly as possible.

Such discharge often indicates the fixation of the fertilized egg not in the reproductive organ, but in the cervix or tubes. Also, pain occurs against the background of an ectopic pregnancy. In this case, urgent surgical intervention is needed.

A woman’s life depends on how quickly she receives medical care.

The appearance of brown menstruation can be caused by both natural and pathological reasons. Such changes do not always pose a serious threat. They are often considered a normal condition and do not cause concern. Despite this, medical consultation in this case is necessary. It is not possible to identify the reason that led to the change in the nature of the discharge at home.

Dark brown menstruation should not cause concern only in some situations related to the age-related physiological characteristics of the female body.

The influence of external factors remains important:

Here are situations in which dark discharge is normal:

In adolescence, girls aged 12–14 years old develop quickly. When a cycle is established, menstruation may be irregular and of an unusual color.
There is no need to worry if the general condition is positive, pain does not occur against the background of a stable mental state. When generating reproductive organs, the layer of the inner lining of the uterus is different from that existing in adult women, and therefore the color is different.
As menopause approaches, the female body undergoes hormonal changes. Reproductive function weakens, menstruation becomes irregular. There is a possibility of brown discharge of varying intensity.
The postpartum period requires restoration of the menstrual cycle; it increases during breastfeeding.

The hormone prolactin inhibits the stabilization of the cycle. Scanty brown periods are caused by sluggish development of the endometrium. Artificial feeding of a child will not protect against such an ointment; the body undergoes recovery within six cycles. Menstruation may occur earlier, but the shade may be different.

When to go to the gynecologist

Beware: if there is a deviation in color, odor and density, dark brown discharge is pathological. Bleeding with a purulent mixture and a pungent odor indicates the occurrence of tumors in the genitourinary system.

The presence of bloody discharge after menstruation or sexual intercourse indicates cervical erosion. The advanced course of the disease can lead to cancer. Infectious diseases manifest themselves through brown ointments with a pungent odor and whitish streaks. These ointments are also signs of ectopic pregnancy.

Light periods are discharge of less than 50 milliliters. They resemble daub in thickness and shape of a dark, rich brown hue. May be related to

Pathology of pregnancy
Diseases in the field of gynecology
Endocrine disorders
Infections

To identify the nature of the disease, it is necessary to use the services of an antenatal clinic.

All reasons

During pregnancy

At the beginning of the term, this may be considered the norm. Carrying a child for each woman occurs with peculiar changes. Often cause disturbances due to the resulting brownish ointments. The hormone progesterone provokes such discharge. Doctors claim that ointments during pregnancy are both normal and pathological. Immediate contact with specialists is required to identify the cause.

Odorless ointments characteristic of the norm, after conception, 2 - 3 months. The egg attaches to the walls of the uterus. The process is sometimes accompanied by discharge from light to dark shades. If dark shades occur, visit a doctor immediately. If the hormonal background is disturbed, the discharge continues for several months.

The last months of pregnancy are sometimes accompanied by brownish ointments that are released when the mucus plug is rejected. The warning signs last from several hours to a couple of weeks.

The threat of miscarriage can be the main cause of deviations in the color of the discharge. Intense pain in the lower abdomen, vomiting, dizziness, and general malaise occur. In order to maintain pregnancy, the doctor prescribes treatment within the walls of the hospital.

Pathological development of the fetus outside the walls of the uterus is the second reason. Egg rejection is accompanied by a bloody, dark brown ointment. Associated signals: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, abdominal pain. Immediate response is required.

The chance of a new pregnancy depends on the first minutes of contacting specialists. An ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed by ultrasound, after which surgical intervention is prescribed.

Another reason is placental abruption. In the last trimester of pregnancy, the placenta is located quite close to the uterus, causing placental abruption. Dark, brown ointments stand out against the pain in the lower abdomen. The reasons are different: fall of the uterus, abdominal injuries.

Dark discharge with clots

Menstruation with clots represents particles of the endometrium being shed. An increase in the volume of clots and a gray-brown color indicate dysfunction in the body.
Possible factors:

It is necessary to be examined to identify an accurate diagnosis. Diagnostics are quite extensive. Basal temperature is determined, lymph is examined, hCG is determined, and
Ultrasound of the genital organs, kidneys, thyroid examination.

Depression and stress

It is not dangerous if accompanied by stress or depression, which are pathological factors. There is an impact on the insufficient development of the endometrium.

There is nothing more to write here, you will feel the stress yourself.

Treatment is carried out after contacting a gynecologist. Initially, the causes of stress and depression are eliminated. Based on the general clinical picture of the severity of the disease, treatment is carried out by: therapists, psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, neurologists.

Consequences of hormonal drugs

Hormonal disorders of the female body occur due to improper functioning of internal organs or the use of hormonal contraception. Ovarian dysfunction, thyroid disease and diabetes mellitus contribute to the appearance of dark brown discharge. The ratio of progesterone and estrogen is disrupted.

When taking contraception, the first few months are considered normal. In case of long-term pathology, it is necessary to abandon this method. The wrong choice of contraceptives can lead to infertility.

Elevated prolactin causes strange discharge, as well as female infertility. Brown discharge after 2 days of menstruation may indicate:

Brain cysts
Receiving a high dose of radiation (rare)
Tuberculosis
Cirrhosis of the liver
Hyperprolactinemia

Elevated prolactin is also caused by less dangerous reasons:

Diets
Stress and depression
Physical activity
Tight underwear

Large uterus size

Sometimes a woman's uterus increases in size. The main reasons for this:

Adenomyosis is the growth of the endometrium in the muscles of the uterus, occurs in adulthood after 30 years
Full or partial molar pregnancy – growth of abnormal fetal tissue
Malignant tumors of the uterus - occurs in the mucous membranes
Ovarian cyst - pathological formation
Uterine fibroids are a benign tumor that occurs in the muscle layer

The following can cause an enlarged uterus:

abdominal pain, flatulence
hormonal imbalance
overweight
heavy menstruation

Treatment occurs after the disease is identified after examination. It is necessary to undergo a uterine biopsy, blood test, and x-ray examination of the uterine cavity.

During ovulation

During ovulation, the discharge is stronger than usual. The mucous consistency is green-yellow, pink in color. Bloody or dark brown discharge may occur. The normal amount for brown discharge is a small amount. Ovulation does not imply uterine bleeding. You should contact the antenatal clinic if:

Pronounced discharge
With a strong unpleasant odor
Similar to bleeding
Bloody discharge
Long lasting

Gynecologists consider normal discharge during ovulation:

When a follicle ruptures
High concentration of the hormone estrogen

Pathological causes of discharge:

Infectious diseases of the vagina and uterus
Incorrect contraception
Thyroid gland

The specialist prescribes the process of curing the initial disease after identifying the diagnosis. The diagnosis process consists of an examination using mirrors and a laboratory test in the form of a smear. In some cases, additional tests are required.

Brown periods are a cause for concern. Menstruation is a process that occurs in a woman’s body from the moment of puberty. Monitoring your cycle and regularly visiting a gynecologist is the responsibility of any girl.

The time when menstruation begins is completely different for everyone. Most often this happens from 11 to 15 years. But sometimes a girl’s body matures earlier, this is not a violation. Menstruation may also begin later.

Norm and deviation

If maturation does not begin before the age of 18, this may be a sign of abnormalities in the girl’s body.
Irregularity of menstruation or menstruation is also a signal of problems that have arisen. The normal duration of the menstrual cycle is up to 21 days. There are cases when the duration is up to 35 days, but no more than this time.

After the start of the first menstruation, the body can adapt within 2-3 years, when the woman begins to form a regular cycle.

Possible deviations can be judged if certain features appear that have not previously arisen during the cycle. Brown menstruation may indicate disorders of the female body.

Brown period

You should not ignore the situation when the following violations are observed:

constant failures in cycle time;
frequent occurrence of blood clots;
pungent, unpleasant odor.

Disorders can be divided into 2 types: brown spotting and instead of menstruation.

Daub

In 1 day, a woman should secrete up to 50 ml of menstrual fluid. When violations occur, a smudge appears and the proper amount is not released.

It is worth paying attention to the symptoms that arise:

headache;
sharp pain in the genital area;
heaviness in the chest;
back pain;
nausea.

Serious abnormalities in the female body are sometimes associated with these symptoms:

The occurrence of pregnancy, as well as ectopic pregnancy.
Improper functioning of the ovaries and pituitary gland.
Improper functioning of the endometrium. Often associated with the consequences of abortion, the development of the inflammatory process. Sometimes occurs with tuberculosis of the genital organs.
Incorrectly selected oral contraceptives.
In case of injuries to the female genital organs, as well as during surgical intervention.
Depression, frequent nervous breakdowns, depressed state, throughout the entire cycle.
Sudden weight changes, up or down.
Heavy physical activity, overexertion during sports.
Hormonal imbalance due to endocrine system disorders.

The appearance of these symptoms is the answer to the question of why periods are brown.

If there is scanty discharge

Hypomenorrhea - is divided into primary and secondary forms:

In the primary form, scanty discharge occurs from the very beginning of menstruation. This is associated with underdeveloped genital organs and congenital disorders in the reproductive system.
In the secondary form, menstruation is brown, not abundant, and begins at a certain moment. This was not observed before the violations occurred.

This may be the cause of deviations:

genetic predisposition: when relatives had similar disorders;
infectious processes occurring in the genital organs: with the appearance of uterine fibroids, cervical cancer, etc.;
hormonal imbalance in the body.

Sometimes these disorders occur in patients with anemia, when moving to another country with different climatic conditions, as well as due to vitamin deficiency.

On the first day of the cycle

Some girls wonder: why are periods brown at the beginning of the cycle, what does this mean? On the first day of the cycle, brown discharge is allowed to appear, but if everything does not return to normal over the following days, it is necessary to identify the cause of the deviations.

With or without scent

Menstrual discharge has a red color and a sour smell. usually appear in the last days before the end of menstruation, and the amount of fluid released also decreases. Therefore, the appearance of a brown smear is quite possible, but lasting no more than 1-2 days.

If an unpleasant, pungent odor appears, you should urgently seek advice from a gynecologist.

Main causes of violation

A woman may experience disturbances due to which the menstrual cycle cannot normalize. This may be due to both congenital pathologies and acquired, various sexually transmitted infections, and taking medications.

Hormonal disorders

Disturbances are observed during endometrial rejection. Due to abnormalities, the menstrual fluid coagulates and clots begin to appear.

Hormonal imbalances also occur due to improper metabolism. Women who constantly follow various types of diets often encounter this problem.

Pregnancy

Brown discharge during pregnancy can cause miscarriage due to placental abruption. Bloody, scarlet-colored discharge is a sign.

In some cases, there are brown colored periods after a scanty period. This drug is used both during pregnancy planning and in the early stages when there is a threat of miscarriage.

Taking contraceptives

Sometimes women experience menstrual irregularities due to the use of oral and vaginal contraceptives. This happens especially often after taking fast-acting contraceptives.

If deviations occur while taking the medications, you must stop taking them and choose another method of contraception.

Inflammatory processes

Inflammatory processes, as a result of which dark brown periods appear, occur when infected with sexually transmitted diseases. After treatment of the infection, the inflammatory process begins to decrease.

Seeing a doctor

If obvious abnormalities in the functioning of the reproductive system occur, when brown periods suddenly begin, you should immediately seek help from a gynecologist. At an early stage, you can successfully carry out a course of treatment and get rid of infectious diseases.

Diagnostics

It is necessary to take a blood test and take a smear for analysis. After which an additional examination is carried out:

Ultrasound of the genital organs;
exclude diseases of the thyroid gland;
Tomography will help identify the presence of tumors at various stages.

After diagnosis, the doctor prescribes further treatment.

Treatment

After conducting an examination, the doctor prescribes appropriate treatment. If the cause of brown discharge is a disease of the endocrine system, the patient is referred to an endocrinologist. If there are a number of psychological problems, they are sent to a psychotherapist.

In case of hormonal abnormalities, a course of medications is prescribed. During the treatment period, the woman is prescribed a certain diet that must be followed.

Prevention measures

For preventive measures, every woman should regularly visit a gynecologist. Even if the condition is not suspicious, some inflammatory processes can occur unnoticed.

The appearance of brown discharge on the first day of menstruation is not necessarily a pathological symptom. However, a mandatory examination by a gynecologist is necessary to exclude diseases.

Causes of brown discharge on the first day of menstruation

One of the fairly common complaints when visiting a gynecologist is that a woman sometimes experiences brown discharge on the first day of her period. There are many reasons for this. In some cases, this condition is completely normal, in others it is a symptom of serious diseases.

To find out what causes a disruption in the menstrual cycle, it is important to know its physiological course. When a woman’s monthly cycle has completely established itself and become constant, menstruation should begin painlessly and last an average of 3-5 days. Normally, the interval between bleeding is from three weeks to 35 days, and the volume of bleeding is from 50 and not more than 150 ml. In this case, the discharge should not have a strong odor and be accompanied by itching, pain and burning.

When the cycle is fully formed, a woman needs to monitor its regularity and mark the necessary days on the calendar. It is advisable to record all its deviations from the usual in order to know whether it is episodic or permanent, since this is the key to a woman’s general and reproductive health.

Physiological causes of brown discharge

The appearance of such discharge is quite normal during the period of the first menstruation, when a teenage girl’s period is not yet fully established.

The reproductive system is still immature, the balance of hormones has not been formed and their concentration is still insufficient. Therefore, menstruation is not yet regular, scanty (hypomenorrhea), manifested by weak brownish discharge.

The period of reaching or becoming menopause is manifested by such brown discharge. It's all about the gradual decline of the normal function of the ovaries and the female reproductive system as a whole.

It is quite acceptable when, before the onset of menstruation or within 1-2 days after their cessation, there is scanty discharge that has a brownish tint.

This phenomenon is not considered pathological, provided that the duration of the discharge lasts no more than 3-4 days and is not accompanied by pain, burning, or itching. The general condition should remain satisfactory, and the discharge should not have an unpleasant odor.

When a woman uses oral contraceptives or a hormonal IUD to prevent pregnancy, she gets the so-called menstruation instead of menstruation. It looks like scanty, stained brown discharge that appears in the first days of expected menstruation.

If a sexually active woman notices the appearance of brown discharge on the first day of her period, then pregnancy may be the reason for this. Sometimes its onset occurs unnoticed and manifests itself only as a delay. Otherwise, such discharge indicates attachment of the embryo to the wall of the uterus.

Polycystic ovary syndrome can manifest itself in the fact that a woman had normal menstruation, and then suddenly had dark brown periods for several cycles in a row.

Treatment

If a woman has it, the doctor will prescribe corrective hormonal treatment.

Hormonal imbalances due to medication are corrected by replacing the drug or changing its dose. If the failure is caused by an endocrine pathology, then the underlying disease is treated.

Stress as the cause of brown discharge requires the use of sedatives. You may need to consult a neurologist, psychologist and psychotherapist.

For inflammatory diseases of the uterus, antimicrobial drugs and antihistamines are prescribed.

Polyps and ectopic pregnancy require surgical treatment. There are modern laparoscopic surgeries that are much less traumatic than classic ones and allow you to quickly return to your normal lifestyle.

Conclusion

Deviations of the normal menstrual cycle can be both symptoms of various gynecological diseases and may have completely physiological causes. Brown discharge that appears during menstruation is one such example. There is no need to panic, but it is better to immediately seek help from a specialist and undergo a full examination.

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Many girls are interested in whether it is normal for their periods to be brown with clots. When hemoglobin in the blood is destroyed, the discharge becomes darker. Let us consider the causes and consequences of this phenomenon in more detail.

A healthy woman's menstrual discharge is bright red - this is the inner part of the uterine mucosa coming out along with an egg that has not been fertilized. This process is accompanied by the rupture of small vessels from which blood pours out.

Why do clots appear?

If your periods are bright scarlet in color, this is a sign of heavy blood loss, which often indicates uterine fibroids or endometriosis. If the discharge is darkened, then there is less blood in it than normal, it takes a long time to move from the uterus to the vagina, and hemoglobin is destroyed during this time.

Small clots during menstruation should not frighten a woman; they are just part of the endometrium that normally leaves the uterus. If there are too many clots or they are large, the cause may be a dangerous condition - endometriosis. It is especially dangerous if the process is accompanied by pain in the ovarian area. You should immediately consult a doctor, because endometriosis is considered by many specialists to be a precancerous condition.

Brown discharge

Brownish menstruation with clots occurs at different periods of the monthly cycle:

During what periods is brownish discharge normal, and when should you consult a doctor?

Before menstruation

Most women have noticed that brownish discharge with clots appears the day before menstruation. This situation is recognized by doctors as a variant of the norm. After a day or two, the discharge turns red.

Brown blood for no more than three days, if the discharge is scanty, does not require visiting a doctor.

In case of severe bleeding, severe pain, or a long duration of this phenomenon, you should contact a gynecologist as soon as possible, without waiting for the end of your critical days.

Instead of menstruation

Unexplained discharge during normal menstrual days occurs due to:

weak immunity;
reduced weight;
lack of hemoglobin in the blood (anemia).

A decrease in immunity is observed after viral infections and inflammatory diseases. Additional blood loss for such weakened patients is a serious blow to health. There is likely a secondary infection, which is much more difficult to get rid of, and you will have to take potent drugs that have serious side effects.

In such a situation, menstruation and ovulation usually disappear - the body saves its resources in this way to normalize health. For this reason, after taking some antibiotics, menstruation is absent for several months.

Excessive thinness and deficiency of adipose tissue are perceived by the body as stress, so the monthly cycle often goes wrong in thin girls who abuse diets.

The body of such patients cannot allow full ovulation, so it occurs crumpled, followed by brown menstruation. With anorexia, menstruation is completely absent.

Anemia usually occurs when there is a deficiency of iron and red blood cells in the blood. With anemia, normal menstruation would worsen the condition of the body, therefore, to prevent oxygen starvation of all organs, intense menstruation is replaced by a scanty brown smear. This condition cannot be considered normal; the risk of all kinds of formations in the uterus or ovaries increases, and the woman becomes unable to conceive and bear a healthy child.

Reasonable weight gain, proper rest, combined with proper treatment with iron-containing drugs, will help normalize the condition.

Mid cycle

The average length of a woman's menstrual cycle is 28 days. A deviation of a week in one direction or the other is considered normal. Around the 16th day, a woman ovulates. 6 days after ovulation, menstruation begins. If brownish blood flows in the middle part of the cycle, then the reason for this may be hidden in the following cases:

Birth control pills affect hormonal balance, causing the timing of menstruation to change. Hormonal contraceptives should not be self-prescribed. This will lead to pathological consequences: failure, premature onset of menstruation and shorter cycles.

Tumors are a complex problem, sometimes causing periods that are brown with clots or bright red blood during different phases of the cycle. The patient may have a stomach ache or everything may be completely painless. Tumors can be both benign and malignant; only a gynecologist can determine the nature of the formation as a result of a diagnostic study.

If necessary, the patient is referred for consultation to an oncologist. In order to promptly detect a tumor and take the necessary preventive and therapeutic measures, you need to regularly undergo gynecological examinations with a gynecologist.

Pregnancy

After fertilization, the egg rushes to attach to the uterus, so menstruation usually does not occur during pregnancy. A pregnant woman needs to closely monitor the nature of vaginal discharge. If they are transparent or white and do not have an unpleasant odor, then pregnancy is proceeding normally.

If spotting appears, you need to consult a doctor at the antenatal clinic; on non-working days, you need to call an ambulance - spotting indicates placental abruption and the threat of miscarriage.

Other factors

Unexpected weight loss, severe stress or excessive physical activity disrupt the imbalance of hormones in the body. The patient develops stress, characterized by increased production of the hormone cortisol.

In a stressful situation, the body makes sure that the woman does not ovulate - under stress, the fetus develops multiple malformations. All this explains the scant blood loss during menstruation with an unhealthy brown color.

Brown periods with clots occur for many reasons; you won’t be able to figure them out on your own. Such discharge is very dangerous in pregnant women, underweight, in the middle of the cycle. A similar situation that occurs instead of menstruation is less dangerous, but to find out the reasons, you will need to consult a gynecologist.