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Brick-colored discharge. Causes of brown discharge in women: normal and pathological

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Brown discharge is vaginal secretion mixed with blood. Such discharge that appears at the beginning or end of the menstrual cycle can be considered normal. Leucorrhoea that changes color between periods, after sex or increased exercise is a sign of pathology. 78-82% of women have to face this condition, regardless of their physiological and social status.

What is brown vaginal discharge?

The natural secretion consists of clear mucus, one part of which comes out of the cervical canal, and the second is produced by the glands of the vagina. The whitish tint appears due to the presence of desquamated epithelium, microflora and waste products, residues of physiological fluids and household pollution.

Brown discharge occurs when there is bleeding in various parts of the gynecological organs - the mucous membrane of the vulva, the cervical canal and cervix, the endometrial mucosa, when the integrity of the ovarian follicles or fallopian (fallopian) tubes is damaged.

If the vaginal secretion changes color periodically, you have to use pads between menstrual cycles, you need to contact a gynecologist. This condition indicates the development of pathology.

The main causes of brown discharge


A change in the color of vaginal secretions within normal limits can occur after too active coitus (“hard sex”), during recovery after childbirth, when a woman starts taking birth control pills and gets used to them, 2-3 hours after increased physical activity.

Light brown discharge may appear while the girl's body gets used to physiological changes - the formation of the menstrual cycle, and the woman - to the use of hormonal contraceptives. Sometimes spotting discharge appears at the very beginning of pregnancy or during menopausal changes.

In all these cases, the volume of secretion is small - a spot on a panty liner with a diameter of up to 5 mm. After childbirth or the menstrual cycle, there is more discharge. Such changes are not considered a pathology, but if they occur too often, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Brown discharge in the middle of the cycle can appear due to pathologies of the urinary and reproductive system with the following diseases and conditions:

  • Endometriosis. Endometrial brushes form in the muscle layer of the uterus or cervix, rejecting blood fragments during sudden movements or for a long time after the menstrual cycle. The secretion becomes viscous, the color of dark chocolate.
  • Endometritis. With this disease, the endometrium, covering the inner surface of the uterus, becomes inflamed and is periodically rejected, regardless of menstruation. The main cause of endometritis is hormonal imbalance, provoked by complications after childbirth, abortion and instrumental interventions, infectious and inflammatory processes, and unsuccessful selection of hormonal drugs.
  • Endometrial hyperplasia. This is a benign growth of the mucous membrane covering the inner layer of the uterus. In this case, your period may drag on for 2 weeks or more. The bloody, spotting secretion begins to be rejected 2-3 days before menstruation and continues further. The causes of the disease are hormonal imbalance, congenital anomalies and inflammatory processes of the reproductive system, metabolic disorders.
  • Adenomyosis. Pathological growth of the endometrium in the uterus. Brown discharge constantly appears in the middle of the menstrual cycle, accompanied by pain during coitus and an enlarged abdomen.
  • Polyps in the cervical canal or cervix. In this case, discharge may appear after sexual intercourse or after physical activity. If the integrity of the polyp wall is compromised, severe bleeding may occur.
  • Large ovarian cyst. The formation of a tumor leads to disruption of the functioning of the organ. The nature of menstruation changes, the temperature rises.
  • Detachment of the ovum at the beginning of pregnancy. May be accompanied by paroxysmal pain that occurs in the lower abdomen and radiates to the lower back.
  • Ectopic pregnancy. Almost black, dark brown discharge indicates a violation of the integrity of the fallopian tube. They can last quite a long time or be replaced by severe bleeding. Symptoms that indicate an ectopic pregnancy, except spotting: tachycardia, low blood pressure, weakness, abdominal pain on one side.
  • Cancer of the uterus and cervix, tumor in the vagina. At first, a bloody secretion with an unpleasant odor occurs after coitus, then constantly.
  • Ectopia (erosion) of the cervix. It is considered a precancerous condition. Upon examination, the gynecologist discovers ulcers on the inner surface of the mucosa. The discharge appears after mechanical stress.
  • Uterine fibroids, benign tumor. Symptoms in this case may resemble those of endometriosis and be accompanied by menstrual irregularities. The amount of discharge depends on the location of the neoplasm, structure and degree of growth.
  • Sexually transmitted diseases. Additional signs: pus in the vaginal secretion, foul odor, burning and itching, aggravated by urination and sexual intercourse.

It is dangerous to postpone a visit to the gynecologist if the amount of discharge increases, the pad quickly gets wet, the body temperature rises, an unpleasant odor appears and the menstrual cycle is disrupted.

How to get rid of brown vaginal discharge?

Treatment begins after an accurate diagnosis. Visual inspection and collection of biomaterial are usually not enough. You may need to donate blood for hormones and conduct a biochemical analysis, or undergo a colposcopy. Sometimes they give a referral for diagnostic curettage.

Restoring the condition with the help of medications


For intermenstrual bleeding, medications may be prescribed in injections or hemostatic tablets. These include:
  1. Vikasol. Coagulant, active substance - vitamin K, which increases blood clotting. Used symptomatically and for no longer than 4 days. Dosage according to condition.
  2. Etamzilat. Analogue - Dicinone with the same active ingredient. Stimulates the formation of a primary thrombus.
  3. Aminocaproic acid. Increases fibrinolytic activity of plasma and blood. Administered intravenously, infusionally. In exceptional cases, it is used in the first trimester of pregnancy.
  4. Tranexam with tranexamic acid. It is a plasminogen inhibitor. It acts in several directions: it increases blood clotting, has an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effect. The duration of treatment is 3-4 days, but the doctor may recommend increasing the dosage and duration of the treatment course to two weeks.
  5. Askorutin. Analogue - Ascorbic acid. Increases the tone of vascular walls, reduces capillary fragility, and prevents bleeding. Take 4-5 weeks. An overdose can cause massive bleeding.
Are used hemostatic agents in the form of suppositories: Gynecol with extract of yarrow and boron uterus with anti-inflammatory effect, Phytor suppositories with sea buckthorn to eliminate cervical erosion, Suporon with antibacterial and biostimulating properties.

In case of inflammatory processes caused by infectious diseases, it is impossible to get rid of spotting brown discharge or postmenstrual bleeding without eliminating the underlying cause. Antibacterial or antimicrobial agents are introduced into the therapeutic regimen.

In exceptional cases, intravenous injections of calcium gluconate or calcium chloride may be used. “Hot” injections have a contractile effect and stimulate uterine contractions.


For hormonal disorders, drugs from the group of oral contraceptives, OK, are used. The type of medicine is determined by the doctor. Preparations with progesterone, with active estrogen - ethinyl estradiol, of a mixed type can be prescribed. Hormonal drugs can be one-, two- or three-phase, low-dose, micro-dose.

You cannot refuse treatment on your own or change one medicine to another. Therapy is selected individually for each patient. The duration of the treatment course varies from 3 weeks to six months.

Folk remedies for bleeding


If blood fragments appear in vaginal secretions during pregnancy, herbal tinctures and decoctions are not used. These drugs increase the tone of the uterine muscles and increase contractility.

In all other cases, the following herbal remedies can be introduced into the therapeutic regimen:

  • Alcohol tinctures of knotweed or water pepper. An analogue is yarrow tincture. 20-40 drops of alcohol tinctures are diluted in a tablespoon of boiled water and taken 3-4 times a day. The duration of the treatment course is up to 2 months. Symptomatically, the dose can be increased to a tablespoon. You can brew these herbs yourself. Infuse 2 tablespoons per 200 ml of boiling water and take a tablespoon 5-6 times a day.
  • Nettle. Pour a tablespoon of dried plant material into a glass of boiling water for 15 minutes, boil for 10 minutes over low heat, filter. Drink a glass a day, a quarter at a time. Contraindications: neoplasms and oncological processes.
  • Shepherd's Purse. Brewed like nettles. Accepted according to the same scheme.
  • Cherry twigs or orange peels. Boil the ingredients for 20 minutes, cool, and strain. You can take no more than 1 glass per day. The shells of pine nuts have the same effect.
  • Kalina. Has a minimum number of contraindications. To increase efficiency, not only dried berries are brewed, but also flowers and plant bark. Additional effect: reduces the growth of fibroids, calms the nervous system.
When using remedies from the arsenal of traditional medicine, it is impossible to quickly eliminate brown discharge after menstruation or intermenstrual bloody discharge. Herbal medicines act cumulatively, that is, improvement will be noticeable only 3-5 days after the start of treatment.

If brown discharge constantly appears after menstruation or in the middle of the cycle, herbal remedies should be taken in advance - from 1-2 days of the cycle or 2-4 days before the expected bleeding. Pharmacy tinctures act faster, but they should also be taken for at least two weeks.

Surgery for brown discharge


Types and methods of surgical treatment depend on the diagnosis.

The following methods can be used:

  1. For cervical dysplasia and erosion, laser cauterization, radiotherapy or cryotherapy (cauterization with liquid nitrogen) is performed.
  2. For endometritis or endometriosis, laparoscopic operations are performed to remove the overgrown epithelium.
  3. If spotting appears due to neoplasms of various types, it may be necessary to remove part of the reproductive organs or perform hysteroscopy (removal of the uterus). For malignant neoplasms, chemotherapy or radiation therapy is subsequently prescribed.
  4. If prolonged secretion of brown secretion is associated with trauma to the vulvar mucosa during childbirth, medical procedures or sexual experiments, gynecologists will suture the tears, excise the tissue of the damaged structure and, after healing, perform vaginoplasty.
  5. In case of menopause or bleeding of unknown etiology, diagnostic curettage is performed before deciding on surgical treatment. In some cases, this eliminates the bleeding, and the epithelium no longer grows. When juvenile (intermenstrual) discharge appears in adolescents and women of reproductive age, the procedure is carried out if there are vital indications.
After operations, therapeutic measures are prescribed to prevent the recurrence of diseases, the symptom of which is bleeding.

How to get rid of brown vaginal discharge - watch the video:


Self-medication is unacceptable, even if the woman is sure that she knows the reason for the appearance of discharge with blood fragments. This symptom can accompany many gynecological diseases of an inflammatory nature or the degeneration of neoplasms. If there is dark discharge, it is recommended to undergo preventive examinations not once every six months, but more often, analyzing your own condition and taking into account changes in the nature of the secretion.

Many women who are serious about their health are concerned about the phenomenon of dark brown discharge. Sometimes they appear suddenly, between periods, and sometimes during or immediately after them. What do these discharges mean? Could they be a sign of a pathological process in the female body? Let's look at this in more detail.

Is dark discharge always a sign of illness?

It is probably clear that blood gives the brown color to vaginal discharge. Sometimes this occurs in completely healthy women. For example:

  • dark brown discharge is natural before menstruation, several hours or days before the onset (this is the first sign of its approach);
  • Discharge is also normal after menstruation for several days;
  • when taking hormonal-based contraceptives, they can “decorate” the middle of the menstrual cycle;
  • after violent sex, dark discharge is usually caused by injury to the vaginal mucosa;
  • the same can happen if there is insufficient lubrication during sexual intercourse;
  • at the very beginning of sexual life, spotting appears not only at the moment of deflowering, but also during several subsequent acts;
  • In teenage girls, before the onset of their first menstruation, dark discharge may also be observed for some time, which signals the girl’s transition to a new rank - “girl”.

In what cases should diseases be suspected?

But dark brown discharge can also be signs of a disease. If they are not associated with taking hormonal drugs and appear in the middle of the cycle or occur every time after sexual intercourse, this is a reason to be wary. If the discharge is accompanied by an increase in temperature, aching pain in the abdomen (its lower part), itching in the vagina, dryness and pain during emptying the bladder or sexual intercourse, and also if a woman over 45 years old has not had menstruation for a year, a woman should suspect something is wrong and contact a gynecologist. Next, we will consider pathological processes, signs of which may be the indicated discharge.

Cervical erosion

This disease is one of the most common diagnoses in gynecology. It is a defect in the mucous membrane of the cervix, which is caused by various reasons: frequent and rough sexual intercourse, sexually transmitted infections, injuries during childbirth or abortion, etc. In most cases, this pathology is asymptomatic and is discovered only during an examination by a gynecologist. But sometimes the disease is accompanied by dark brown discharge after sexual intercourse, and sometimes without obvious reasons. Often such discharge has an unpleasant odor, which, by the way, indicates the presence of inflammation. There are congenital, true erosion and ectopia (pseudo-erosion). Depending on the size of the pathology and concomitant infections, therapeutic tactics will be different, but in any case, this disease requires regular monitoring by a specialist.

Ectopic pregnancy

When dark brown discharge instead of menstruation is accompanied by severe pain and a repulsive odor, this phenomenon may signal an ectopic pregnancy. By the way, if pain of any strength appears and it is localized in the genital organs, accompanied by atypical discharge, then you should immediately consult a gynecologist! The diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy can be made only after examination by a specialist and ultrasound, and to ensure its timely termination, you need to seek medical help as early as possible.

Vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina) and cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix)

Regardless of whether a woman is sexually active or not, her genital tract can be affected by inflammatory processes. For example, candidiasis (thrush) causes an inflammatory process in women of any age, and in menopausal women, dark brown discharge also appears. In women, in this case, they are associated with thinning (atrophy) of the vaginal mucosa, due to which even minor damage can provoke discharge of varying intensity. Active sexual life with unprotected sex can lead to sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis). They are accompanied by itching, burning and dryness in the perineum, as well as brown, yellow or green discharge. These diseases can cause inflammation not only of the vagina, but also of the cervix. They definitely need to be treated!

Polyps

A pathological growth of the mucous layer lining the uterus or its cervix, which has the form of a protrusion, is defined in medicine as a polyp. The exact reasons for the appearance of this pathology are still unknown. These include infectious diseases, inflammatory processes, and hormonal disorders. As a rule, polyps are benign formations, but some of them show precancerous changes. If the appearance of the polyp is accompanied by dark brown discharge, it is large, and a biopsy and cytology tests indicate a risk of developing cancer cells, then the polyp is removed.

Endometritis

The endometrium is the mucous tissue lining the inside of the uterus. Violation of its integrity, coupled with a decrease in local immunity, leads to an inflammatory process. It is often accompanied by an increase in temperature and the appearance of nagging pain in the lower abdomen, to this are added purulent or brown discharge instead of menstruation, and all this is a serious sign of pathology, which requires immediate contact with a specialist. If acute endometritis is not diagnosed in time, it becomes chronic, which can affect a woman’s reproductive function.

What is endometrial hyperplasia?

Hyperplasia in medicine is called tissue proliferation. That is, endometrial hyperplasia is an increase in the volume of the inner layer of the uterus, which is benign in nature. This condition is caused by the increased proliferation of stromal and glandular elements of this layer. Most often, such changes occur during hormonal changes in the body (during the premenstrual period in girls and premenopausal in women). One of the main signs of hyperplasia is bloody dark brown discharge, which can appear both during the intermenstrual period and after a short delay in menstruation. As a rule, this discharge is moderate and spotting. True, with hyperplasia that occurs in adolescence, breakthrough heavy bleeding with blood clots is also possible. If they become prolonged, they can lead to anemia.

Cervical cancer

This diagnosis ranks third in the world among cancer diseases in women. What causes this pathology is unknown. Although it was recently discovered that almost 100% of patients with this diagnosis have the human papillomavirus (HPV), not all those infected with this virus develop cancer. It occurs at any age, but the highest risk group is women over forty years of age. One of the main symptoms of this pathology is bleeding. By the way, why brown discharge in such cancer patients appears after sex or in the middle of the cycle is also not yet clear. If they are also accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, then this sign is classified as symptoms of cancer that has spread to neighboring organs.

Why does brown discharge appear during menstruation?

During menstruation, brown discharge can be either a symptom of one of the gynecological diseases listed above, or a consequence of stress, acclimatization, or the result of taking hormonal contraceptives. But it often happens that such a phenomenon is a sign of a future addition to the family, since some women continue to have periods during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, although becoming very scanty and short. Be sure to take a pregnancy test and visit a gynecologist!

Is discharge dangerous during pregnancy?

During the menstrual cycle, in every woman, the level of progesterone drops to almost zero, and the endometrium begins to detach, which leads to the appearance of menstrual flow. In the expectant mother, the body sometimes does not abandon old “habits” and, despite successful fertilization, the level of progesterone, which preserves the fetus, decreases on the days when menstruation should occur. This is how brown discharge appears, which signals that the endometrium is still partially exfoliated. There is no need to panic, but this sign may also be a symptom of an existing threat of interruption of fetal development or, as mentioned above, its ectopic location. Consult a doctor!

What to do if brown discharge appears?

As you have probably already seen from the above, the appearance of discharge of an unusual color, especially accompanied by pain, weakness or fever, requires a mandatory visit to the gynecologist. You should not wait for the unpleasant phenomenon to go away on its own - it may disappear periodically, but later develop into a serious pathology! You should not try to diagnose yourself - you are not an expert! Don’t take risks, don’t be lazy and consult a doctor urgently: it is possible that your worries will be in vain, and the discharge will be only temporary, but if you detect the disease in time and begin its treatment, then there will be a risk of remaining childless or getting a serious chronic disease minimal. Be healthy!

For every woman, the appearance of any discharge from the genital tract that is unusual in color or consistency should be a reason for an emergency visit to the gynecologist. A timely examination and thorough examination will help make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment. By the way, brown discharge in the vast majority of cases indicates the onset of slight but constant bleeding from the uterus, cervix or vagina.

Causes of brown discharge

For every woman, regardless of her age, state of reproductive function, general status of the body, brown discharge means the presence of health problems. Parents of little girls and teenage girls should pay special attention to the appearance of such discharge. The age of the little patient and the absence of any sexual activity do not mean that the child cannot experience trauma to the genital organs or an inflammatory process in them. This is exactly what experts say, whose area of ​​interest is Brown discharge, especially with an unpleasant odor, which joins the symptoms of existing vulvovaginitis, indicates the development of complications that threaten infertility in the future. Endometritis in little girls does not occur as rarely as is commonly thought, and requires the most careful examination of the patient and the prescription of effective comprehensive treatment.

In girls during puberty and women who lead an active sexual life, brown discharge may indicate the development of benign and malignant neoplasms and inflammatory processes. However, the patient should be asked about the possibility of pregnancy at this time. The appearance of discharge may be the first sign of a violation of the normal development of the fetal egg or a violation of the integrity of the fetal sac in the case of an atypical location of the embryo. When this symptom appears during a normal pregnancy, the doctor has the opportunity to prescribe effective therapy to preserve it, while in case of an ectopic pregnancy, without providing timely medical assistance, the life and health of the woman is in serious danger.

Brown discharge after menstruation may be the first manifestation of endometriosis, a disease in which endometrial cells spread throughout the body. When ectopic lesions are localized in the vagina or cervix, such symptoms may appear, and the appearance is most often provoked by sexual contact or medical procedures performed in the vagina - douching, administration of medicinal substances in the form of suppositories or tablets.

The appearance of discharge - what to do

If a woman notices brown discharge, an immediate examination is necessary, which necessarily includes a general examination and an examination on a gynecological chair, which is so disliked by many representatives of the fair sex. During this procedure, the doctor has the opportunity to carefully examine the structure of the internal genital organs (the vagina and the outer part of the cervix), take smears to study the microflora and biopsy material from areas of the mucous membrane that are suspicious in appearance. This study allows us to identify the presence of erosion or pseudo-erosion of the mucous membrane of the cervix, neoplasms, and traumatic lesions.

After this, the doctor refers his patient for further examination, which necessarily includes an abdominal and hormonal profile and consultation with specialists when identifying symptoms of concomitant pathology of internal organs.

Vaginal discharge is a secretion produced by the glands of the vagina and uterus, characterized by the absence of odor, mucous consistency and lack of color (the whitish color of the secretion is also considered normal). The secretion contains mucus secreted by the cervical canal of the cervix, dead cells of the epithelium of the cervical canal and vagina, bacteria that provide an acidic environment for the vagina and the secreted secretion, which in some cases causes the sour smell of the discharge. 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 genitalia. The acquisition of discharge of an uncharacteristic color, smell, consistency and the appearance of accompanying symptoms indicates the development of pathological processes in the uterus and vagina.

The nature of brown discharge

Brown discharge is a natural secretion mixed with 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 discharge varies from bright red to dark shade, which is due to the presence of enzymes in it. Menstrual bleeding lasts from 3 to 8 days in a healthy woman. The appearance of bloody discharge (brown discharge) in any other phase of the cycle is a deviation from the norm. Brown discharge appears in 80% of women. Depending on the reasons causing 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 normal in the following cases:

  • The use of various hormonal contraceptives (oral, intrauterine devices, patches);
  • Possible injuries to the walls of the vagina or cervix (during 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 only indicates the scarcity of menstrual flow, during 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 normal variant due to hormonal changes, but the amount of discharge, its consistency, and smell should also be taken into account. If the discharge acquires a brown tint, becomes abundant, has a heterogeneous consistency, and is characterized by an unpleasant odor, then in such cases a pathological process occurs. Brown discharge that appears during the period of ovulation (usually between days 11 and 19 of the cycle) is also considered a normal variant. Discharge may appear during egg implantation, and the discharge may be accompanied by stabbing pain in the lower abdomen. Such discharge is short-term in nature and spotting. 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 the woman does not take hormonal contraceptives;
  • Brown discharge during menopause in the absence of normal menstrual bleeding for 1 year or more;
  • Regular occurrence of bleeding after sexual intercourse;
  • Discharge accompanied by pain, itching, burning, and increased body temperature.

In case of any pathological discharge, it is necessary to consult a doctor for a full examination, since brown discharge in women is a symptom of various gynecological diseases, which, if not properly treated, can result in infertility, the development of benign and malignant neoplasms.

Brown discharge: causes of appearance at different stages of the cycle

Brown discharge, which is essentially natural vaginal discharge mixed with blood, is divided by gynecologists into the following types:

  • Intermenstrual bleeding;
  • Uterine bleeding.

When diagnosing intermenstrual brown discharge, the causes may be:

  • The use of hormonal medications that affect the menstrual cycle;
  • Mental shock (emotional outbursts, shock, states of constant stress);
  • Hormonal imbalances of various etiologies;
  • Injuries to the genital organs, some types of gynecological procedures;
  • Inflammatory processes, gynecological diseases, STDs;
  • Intrauterine device.

Determining the causes of pathological discharge is necessary to prescribe effective therapy.

When diagnosing uterine brown discharge, the reasons may be:

  • Tumor processes of the uterus and appendages;
  • Pathological processes of the endometrium (endometritis, endometriosis);
  • Cervical erosion;
  • Cystic formations of the ovaries.

Brown discharge after menstruation: when to see a doctor

Brown discharge after menstruation is normal in the following cases:

  • Scanty spotting, not accompanied by itching or burning;
  • No 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, menstruation lasts no more than 8 days.

Brown discharge after menstruation is a residual phenomenon, the removal of excess blood from the uterus. The discharge acquires a brown tint due to the fact that blood clotting increases at the end of menstruation.

If brown discharge after menstruation appears a few days after menstrual bleeding has completely stopped, then the following examinations must 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 fertilized egg, when the integrity of the endometrium is disrupted for a period of 1-2 weeks. Spotting brown discharge may also appear during pregnancy in the first trimester on the days of expected menstruation. If you have any brown discharge, you should consult a doctor.

Causes of brown discharge during pregnancy:

  • Low levels of progesterone, which provokes endometrial rejection and poses a threat of miscarriage;
  • Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy;
  • Placental abruption, previa.

Any brown discharge during later pregnancy poses a risk of miscarriage.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

If women have brown discharge, they should contact a gynecologist as soon as possible. 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 this, it will be possible to determine effective treatment measures.

Causes

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

All possible reasons for this phenomenon are listed below; for clarity, you can see a photo of each manifestation characteristic of each of the reasons.

Diseases

First of all, you should pay attention to several diseases that are characterized by the appearance of atypical secretions from the vagina:

  • endometritis. The disease is characterized by the appearance of a strong focus of inflammation on the uterine mucosa. You may notice the appearance of brown discharge with an unpleasant odor shortly before or after your period. In some cases, brown mucus appears in the middle of the cycle. If a patient has chronic endometritis and plans to become pregnant, then she should initially get rid of the disease, since there is a risk of miscarriage, regardless of the stage of pregnancy;
  • 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 represents the formation of nodular, cystic seals, which over time grow and take on the appearance of stripes. You can notice an atypical secret. In some cases, their color turns light brown;
  • endometrial hyperplasia. If an atypical pathological secretion with bloody inclusions of a brown, spotting nature began after menstruation or began shortly before menstruation and continued after it, then most likely the cause is endometrial hyperplasia. The disease can be provoked by any gynecological disease, abortion or surgical intervention in the reproductive system, as well as a predisposition to this disease;
  • polyps. Due to hormonal imbalances, there is a possibility that a polyp will form in the uterine mucosa. Additionally, this phenomenon can be provoked by an inflammatory process;
  • detachment of the fertilized egg. If a woman experiences brown discharge during pregnancy, and it is spotty in nature or there are simply blood inclusions in the clear mucus, then most likely the cause is detachment of the ovum. At the same time, the woman has severe abdominal pain in the lower part. The pain may also radiate to the lower back. The nature of the pain is cramping;
  • ectopic pregnancy. If there is the appearance of clear mucus, 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 there is dizziness;
  • any disease characterized by the appearance of an inflammatory process. Such diseases include thrush, bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and others. Any disease is characterized by the appearance of brown discharge with an odor; there may also be itching and brown discharge and other manifestations. The color of the discharge varies, from dark brown to yellow-brown or very light with a slight brown tint.

If a woman starts taking contraceptives that contain hormonal substances, then in the first 3 months from the start of use, women may experience the appearance of brown, odorless discharge.

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 to select 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 spotting brown discharge occurs before menstruation, then this is a sign that menstruation will begin soon. This phenomenon is considered normal and is not a pathology.

If such discharge continues for a long time and does not stop, and also appears in the middle of the cycle during the period of ovulation, then this is a reason to consult a gynecologist.

Pregnancy

If a woman encounters an atypical secretion during pregnancy, then it is worth considering several periods:

  • in the first trimester, discharge with ichor may appear on the days when your period should have started. This is a natural process and does not cause harm to the body;
  • if the discharge appears at a later date, for example, in the second trimester, then this condition is dangerous and may indicate 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 plug that holds back amniotic fluid. After the appearance of brown discharge, contractions often begin. This phenomenon is considered normal and does not harm either the mother or the child.

Climax

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

This phenomenon does not pose a danger to the body, but it is still recommended to consult 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 that could appear due to rough sex or other reasons;
  • neglect of the rules of intimate hygiene. Due to the fact that a woman does not sufficiently monitor the cleanliness of her genitals, a change in the acid-base balance may occur. Because of this, the discharge becomes brown. You can get rid of them using sitz baths from chamomile or string infusions. 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 the unusual secretion.

You just need to refrain from intimacy and not use tampons or sex toys for masturbation until recovery.

Stop bleeding

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

To stop bleeding you can use:

  • dicinone;
  • Vitaxol;
  • transekam.

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

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

Conclusion

Brown discharge is a reason 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.