Brown discharge before a menses is normally harmless, and there are many possible reasons for information technology. Sometimes, information technology tin can bespeak pregnancy or perimenopause. Less commonly, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition.

Brown discharge before a period is typically a vaginal belch that contains claret. Brown discharge that occurs when a menstruum is not due may crusade worry. However, chocolate-brown discharge before a period is non typically a cause for business organisation.

This article explores the diverse causes of brownish discharge before a period. It discusses what this may mean if a person is pregnant, not meaning, or approaching menopause.

The article likewise looks at other more serious causes of brown discharge, and when to come across a doc.

Vaginal discharge often occurs on an almost daily basis. Typically, vaginal discharge is thin and clear or white. Sometimes, it may exist other colors. When vaginal discharge is brown, it probable contains small amounts of old blood. Former blood that has taken longer to come out of the uterus may be dark-brown.

Brownish discharge tin can occur for a variety of reasons, including.

When not pregnant

Woman experiencing brown discharge looking thoughtful.
A doc should be consulted if brown discharge causes concern.

When there is no pregnancy, brown belch may be caused past:

  • former claret leaving the uterus a few days afterward the finish of a period
  • a menstruum just start to start, where the flow is very light
  • ovulation spotting, which may be pink-brownish
  • a reaction to a Pap smear test or vaginal exam
  • a reaction to having sexual activity, particularly if vigorous

During pregnancy

Pinkish or brown discharge or spotting before a menstruum may exist an early on sign of pregnancy. Not every pregnant person will experience this symptom, simply some exercise.

This discharge is caused by implantation bleeding that can happen when the fertilized egg burrows into the uterus lining. Implantation bleeding can occur 1 to 2 weeks after the egg has been fertilized.

Anyone who experiences implantation bleeding following unprotected sex should take a pregnancy exam.

Anyone who is pregnant and experiences dark dark-brown belch should speak to a doc. However, brown discharge during pregnancy is not commonly a crusade for concern. In rare cases, information technology may indicate an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.

Approaching menopause

For those people in their 40s or 50s, brown discharge before a period may be a sign of perimenopause.

Perimenopause is the transition period before menopause when periods stop. Other symptoms may include:

  • mood swings
  • hot flushes
  • night sweats
  • trouble sleeping
  • vaginal dryness

There are another more serious causes of chocolate-brown discharge. These may occur at any age regardless of whether in that location is a pregnancy. They are likely to be accompanied by other symptoms.

More serious causes include:

Pelvic inflammatory disease

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PID affects the cervix and uterus.

Pelvic inflammatory affliction (PID) is an infection of the cervix and uterus that can cause brown discharge. Other symptoms may include:

  • hurting in the pelvis and lower belly
  • pain during sexual activity
  • fever
  • smelly vaginal discharge
  • burning sensation when urinating

Anyone who thinks they might have PID should speak to their doctor. If the medico diagnoses PID, they may prescribe antibiotics to treat information technology.

Sexually transmitted disease

Brown discharge before a period may point a sexually transmitted affliction (STD), such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Other symptoms may include:

  • called-for sensation when urinating
  • smelly discharge
  • pain during sexual activity

Not all people with STDs experience symptoms, which is why information technology is essential for all sexually-active people to be tested regularly for STDs.

Most STDs are easy to treat, although some are more serious and crave more than involved treatment. Treatment may include a course of antibiotics.

Retained foreign trunk

Bad-smelling brown discharge can occur if a strange object gets left in the vagina accidentally. Objects that tin can cause this might include:

  • tampons
  • condoms
  • vaginal contraceptive sponges, diaphragms, or cervical caps
  • contraceptive rings

Anyone who notices a brown discharge with an odor should see their doctor, as they may take a retained object or vaginal infection.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal imbalance. It may cause a chocolate-brown discharge from irregular, low-cal bleeding. Other symptoms can include:

  • irregular periods
  • no longer having periods
  • very heavy periods
  • backlog pilus on the face or body
  • acne or oily skin
  • pelvic pain
  • difficulty getting pregnant
  • patches of night, discolored skin

PCOS is non uncommon. Co-ordinate to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), betwixt 8 and 20 percent of reproductive-age women worldwide accept PCOS.

Those who suspect that they may have PCOS should speak to their doctor. There is a range of treatments available.

To determine the well-nigh suitable treatment, the dr. may ask a person nigh:

  • their symptoms
  • other health issues
  • whether they want to get meaning

Some treatments for PCOS may brand it harder to get pregnant. A doctor can advise on the nearly suitable treatment for those who do want to get pregnant.

Cervical cancer

Brownish belch may be a symptom of cervical cancer, just this is extremely rare.

According to the National Cancer Institute, cervical cancer only affects effectually 0.6 percent of women during their lifetime.

In the unlikely effect that the crusade of chocolate-brown belch is cervical cancer, other symptoms may include:

  • pain during sexual activity
  • bleeding afterwards sex
  • heavier or longer periods
  • bleeding in between periods

Anyone who suspects that they may have cervical cancer should speak to a medico.

The first exam a physician will deport out for cervical cancer is a Pap examination. This can detect abnormal cells in the neck.

If a doctor detects abnormal cells, they might examine the neck using a magnifying instrument. They may so take a tissue sample for testing in a laboratory.

For those who do take cervical cancer, a md will conduct out some imaging tests to determine its stage. Handling options include surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.

Brown discharge is unlikely to be a cause for concern and usually does not require a trip to the md.

However, a person should speak to their doctor if they have brown belch that:

  • continues for several weeks
  • frequently happens after sex
  • smells bad
  • is accompanied by pain or cramping
  • is accompanied by vaginal itching

Sometimes, chocolate-brown discharge may betoken a more serious condition. If this is the case, it may be accompanied by other symptoms, as explored higher up. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should see their doctor.

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