The nature of vaginal discharge depends on several factors - the menstrual cycle and the presence of gynecological diseases in the woman. Ideally, they should be transparent and odorless, but in some cases, vaginal secretion begins to change its character and acquire different shades. The most dangerous are black discharge that persists for several days or weeks, since in 90% of cases they indicate the development of serious diseases, which require specific therapy. But there are times when dark discharge is absolutely normal and does not require any treatment. And when, if they occur, you should consult a doctor, and when not, you will now find out.
Variant of the norm
Menstruation does not stop suddenly: 1–2 days before the end of bleeding, the amount gradually decreases.
On the last day, too little blood and mucus may be released so that it can quickly pass through the cervical and vaginal canal. As a result, the secretion manages to stagnate, red blood cells begin to disintegrate on the way to the exit - this provokes black discharge on the underwear of women after menstruation.
This condition does not require medical treatment, and there is no need to worry, but only if there are no additional symptoms.
Features of the menstrual cycle
Before you begin to figure out when black discharge is the norm, and in which case it is a deviation, you should remember what the menstrual cycle is.
Each female body is individual, and therefore everyone experiences their periods differently. But the general parameters apply to everyone:
- The normal cycle is 28 days. However, this indicator is typical for only 60% of women. For the rest, the duration ranges from 21 to 35 days.
- Menstruation has several phases: under the influence of estrogen, an egg is formed in the ovary (proliferative period), lasts from 1 to 17 days, the corpus luteum begins to function, due to which the hormone progesterone is formed (secretory phase), lasts around 13-15 days, in between the bleeding phase itself, which is called menstruation.
From this we can conclude that menstruation is a cyclical process that occurs if the egg is not fertilized.
Normal menstruation has the following indicators:
- Bloody discharge in women lasts for 2-7 days.
- On the first day, a woman loses more blood than on subsequent days. From the beginning of menstruation to the last day, the amount of discharge decreases.
- During the entire period of menstruation, blood loss averages 50 ml.
- Spotting is considered normal if it has a red or scarlet tint, without the presence of a specific odor. At this time, there should be no itching or burning in the intimate area.
- Blood during menstruation should not have impurities or foreign shades.
Note! Black or brown discharge is considered a deviation from the norm.
Physiological causes of black discharge
Atypical menstruation can occur under the following conditions:
- Congenital anomaly of the anatomical structure of the reproductive organs. The most common are saddle-shaped, one-horned and two-horned forms of the uterus. The shape contributes to stagnation of the secreted menstrual blood; it comes out much later than it should due to improper bends.
- Use of hormonal drugs. Oral contraceptives are selected individually. During the period of adaptation to them, a woman may experience dark discharge outside the menstrual cycle - this is the norm. If brown spotting continues continuously for more than two months, consult a doctor; dosage discontinuation or adjustment may be necessary.
- Weak muscle tone of the uterus after childbirth. During breastfeeding, some mothers experience menstrual periods. But the uterus has not yet fully recovered and milk hormones suppress the maturation of new eggs. Full periods are not yet possible. It is at the moment of such a contradictory state that black discharge is observed.
- Improper genital hygiene. Lack of washing is a favorable condition for pathogenic microorganisms. They actively multiply and cause an inflammatory process, accompanied by unpleasant leucorrhoea.
- Forced or rough sexual intercourse. Injuries to the cervix and vaginal canal also provoke bleeding; they are not related to the cycle and appear several hours or days after aggressive sex.
- Rupture of the hymen. At the time of defloration, blood is released, it comes out for several days and is usually bright red in color. The first sexual intercourse releases a large amount of hormones into the blood, which cause menstruation much earlier than usual.
- First year of menstruation. At puberty, girls' menstrual cycle normalizes. Hormonal levels are unstable during this period, which causes menarche - black vaginal discharge.
Treatment options
For effective treatment, a cause of the pathological condition is needed. Therefore, the gynecologist prescribes a series of tests and examinations. A smear will help rule out sexually transmitted diseases. A separate analysis is taken on the state of the vaginal microflora. The presence of pathogenic bacteria can lead to various types of disorders.
An ultrasound is required. With its help, various types of tumors, polyps and other growths of the endometrium are detected. Treatment methods depend on the gynecologist. If endometriosis is confirmed, a woman is prescribed hormonal medications.
For inflammation of the uterine mucosa, antibiotics are prescribed. Their admission is accompanied by physiotherapy. After completing the course, it is useful to take probiotics and vitamins .
At the initial stage, polyps and fibroids are tried to be treated without surgery. Correcting hormonal levels with medications often helps get rid of tumors. They dissolve on their own. During treatment, an ultrasound scan is required - this allows you to monitor the situation.
If dark discharge appears, you should consult a gynecologist. Only he will be able to determine the cause of this condition and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.
What pathologies are accompanied by black daub
There are many gynecological diseases in which black discharge is present. However, they are usually supplemented by several symptoms, or generally have a hidden course. Women need to monitor their health extremely closely and consult doctors in a timely manner, because they are the ones who can establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.
Ectopic pregnancy
The fertilized egg, for unknown reasons, is implanted in the fallopian tubes and begins to grow and develop there. The fallopian tubes are not designed for this process. The integrity of their walls is broken and blood begins to be released. Due to the remote location, the blood passing through the uterus and vaginal canal takes on a very dark color. During an ectopic pregnancy, the tube where the embryo is located can rupture and cause heavy bleeding and even peritonitis. If pregnancy is confirmed (hCG test) and dark vaginal discharge, go to the hospital immediately.
Endometritis
Inflammation in the mucous layer of the uterine cavity. This condition is caused by fungi, bacteria, previous abortions, and childbirth.
Symptoms:
- Menstrual irregularities: scanty periods of a dark color, or, conversely, very heavy periods with huge blood clots similar to the liver.
- Black discharge: spotting after menstruation, without an unpleasant odor.
- Intoxication syndrome: tachycardia, chills, general weakness, high body temperature.
- Pain in the lower abdomen, radiating into the abdominal cavity and lumbar region.
Endometriosis
This is the proliferation of endometrioid cells outside the body of the uterus: the fallopian tubes, abdominal cavity and even the lungs. Such foci of growth are the reason why dark brown discharge occurs after menstruation, including from unusual organs (anus). Quite often, unusual leucorrhoea is the only symptom of this dangerous disease.
Hyperplasia
Hyperplasia is an atypical growth of the endometrial layer along the entire perimeter, the walls sharply thicken. When the endometrium grows diffusely, polyps form. This disease occurs due to changes in hormonal levels in the body.
Signs:
- Heavy bleeding during menstruation.
- Bloody discharge in the middle of the cycle.
- Intense pain during critical days, up to loss of consciousness.
- Irregular menstruation.
Based on the comments of doctors, diffuse lesions are a precancerous condition. Polyps can develop into a malignant tumor at any time. Women are recommended to visit a gynecologist regularly every 6–8 months. If strange regulations appear, you need to make an appointment with a doctor on the same day.
Cervical erosion
Erosive lesions of the cervix occur if there are chronic infections and hormonal imbalance. It also often occurs due to injury during sex. The affected areas “expose” the blood capillaries, so they constantly secrete blood, which can turn black and brown. However, more often the secretion has a red-pink hue and a creamy consistency. Other symptoms are sometimes absent.
Erosions are also considered a precancerous condition. The wound does not heal for a long time and at one point the cells around it acquire a malignant form.
Uterine fibroids
Fibroids are benign tumors of the cervix or uterus, or both. The disease is hidden for a long time until the size of the tumors begins to disrupt the functions of nearby pelvic organs - the bladder and intestines. For a final diagnosis, a biopsy of tissue material is taken.
The patient has the following symptoms:
- Heavy periods that do not end for 6–8 days.
- Nagging pain in the lower abdomen.
- Weakness, dizziness, anemia.
- Spotting, bloody black discharge with clots a week after menstruation.
- Disorders of stool and urination.
- Enlargement of the abdomen, as during pregnancy up to 12 weeks.
Multiple fibroids require timely removal, since the disease can also degenerate into a malignant form. The insidiousness of such a defeat lies in the weakness of manifestations. For a long time, the patient simply does not notice anything unusual, and the disease is discovered by chance during a routine examination.
Sexual infections
Sexually transmitted diseases lead to a wide variety of leucorrhoea, including black leucorrhoea. These include: chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis. Such bacteria can parasitize epithelial cells, interfering with their normal metabolism and disrupting their functions.
Often infections have a hidden course, so they penetrate up the genital tract, affecting the uterus, tubes and ovaries. This is why dark earthy, black secretions appear that smell unpleasant. Usually, sexually transmitted infections can be recognized immediately and treated in time.
In case of infection, it is important to follow the prescribed therapy and not interrupt the use of antibiotics, since bacteria develop drug resistance over time.
Cervical erosion
Erosion is called ulceration of the mucous membrane of the cervix. The affected tissues are easily damaged, so after examination by a gynecologist, brown or black discharge may appear after sexual intercourse. The cause may also be the addition of an infection, accompanied by inflammation. In such cases, a dark secretion appears a few days before the start of menstruation and has an unpleasant odor.
After treatment of cervical erosion using laser therapy, black discharge is considered normal; gradually it acquires a light yellow tint and disappears as the epithelium heals. The rehabilitation period can last 1 month.
If erosion is present in a pregnant woman, then a black bloody secretion appears as the uterus enlarges, the ulcerated epithelium stretches and begins to bleed. Treatment of the pathology is postponed until the postpartum period, but while carrying a child, the woman should be under constant medical supervision.
Untimely treatment of cervical erosion can lead to the development of inflammation, tissue infection and the formation of a malignant tumor.
httpss://youtu.be/sp6QVGmJ6l8?t=19s
Alarming symptoms
- Prolonged periods, spotting for 5–10 days.
- Unusual secretion, increased volume.
- Unpleasant smell of discharge.
- Severe pain in the abdominal area.
- The presence of itching, burning, swelling, redness of the vulva and labia.
- Brown discharge regardless of the phase of the cycle.
- Fever, weakness and vomiting and others.
The presence of one of the points is a reason for concern and a visit to a specialist.
Black discharge before and after menstruation may indicate a physiological condition. However, one such symptom may indicate the development of a dangerous disease. Therefore, girls need to carefully monitor their intimate health and promptly seek help from a doctor. Early diagnosis guarantees success in treating even the most dangerous diseases.
Could I be ovulating?
2 weeks before your period, small amounts of dark discharge may indicate the onset of ovulation. Additionally, the following signs are present:
- increased mood;
- improved libido;
- improving the condition of the skin and hair;
- increase in vaginal secretion.
In this video you will find information about the features of discharge before menstruation:
When a woman ovulates, she is fertile. Unprotected sexual intercourse can result in pregnancy. In the middle of the cycle, the follicle ruptures and the mature egg moves towards the seminal fluid.
It is the rupture of the follicle that leads to the appearance of a small amount of blood. The condition is not a deviation. This is a physiological process that does not require treatment.
Is an ectopic pregnancy possible?
Do not exclude the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. At first, the violation does not make itself felt. The girl's condition is satisfactory. Signs indicating successful fertilization will gradually appear:
- nausea;
- weakness;
- drowsiness;
- feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen;
- change in appetite;
- increased breast sensitivity.
A dark bloody spot will appear. This discharge is not menstruation. This is the result of injury to the area where the fertilized egg is attached. If left untreated, vaginal bleeding will begin. The patient should call an ambulance. The woman is hospitalized and sent for surgery.
What can trigger the phenomenon?
Brown spots may be caused by:
- respiratory diseases;
- infections;
- emotional turmoil;
- fatigue;
- lifting heavy objects;
- intimate relationships before menstruation.
Additionally, if your period has ended, excessive physical activity and taking certain medications contribute to the appearance of an unpleasant color of the spots. Gradually, the light shade of the discharge changes to dark.
