Possible causes of dark brown discharge during menstruation

Menstruation is one of the important indicators of women's health; not only the duration of the cycle and its regularity are important, but also the quantity and nature of the discharge. The normal color of the discharge is red; brown periods can be a sign of serious illness, so you should visit a doctor and get examined.

Brown periods may indicate illness

Characteristics of the symptom

Brown discharge at the beginning or end of the regulation is considered as a variant of the norm.

In the first days of menstruation and at the final stage, a brownish tint to the discharge means that there is little blood in the secretion. When it is released from the uterus, it combines with the local environment, oxidizes, coagulates, and at the exit has this color. Such discharge can be light, dark brown, burgundy, in the form of dark clots or daubs.

Spotting Brown-pink discharge

Discharge spotting

Spotting discharge

Instead of menstruation, it occurs due to physiological changes in the body or the development of pathological processes. This symptom is most often indicated by:

• hormonal fluctuations;
• age-related changes (juvenile bleeding or menopause);
• taking hormonal medications;
• pregnancy (normal and pathological);
• recovery in the postpartum period;
• the presence of anomalies in the structure of the genital organs;
• diseases of the reproductive system;
• endocrinological diseases;
• metabolic disorders and weakening of the protective function (immunity);
• the presence of emotional stress, stress;
• following a strict diet;
• improper lifestyle;
• rehabilitation after abortion or surgery.

Find out in the article at the link about the nature of discharge after an abortion. And also follow the link to find out why pink discharge may occur instead of menstruation.

Reasons why you should not see a doctor

In any case, the appearance of such discharge should alert a woman and become a reason to consult a doctor. You should be especially concerned when they are first detected against the background of apparent general well-being. In the following situations, you can monitor your condition yourself:

• If you have light periods, the reasons for which are obvious. For example, after curettage, surgery to remove an ovarian cyst, while taking oral contraceptives, etc. Most likely, the doctor warned about them, and they will pass within a month or two, depending on the clinical situation.
• If such light brown discharge appears before or after menstruation for many years. In this case, we are most likely talking about endometriosis, which can be clarified by a doctor during a routine examination.

We recommend reading the article about spotting instead of periods. From it you will learn about the causes of pathological discharge, the likelihood of pregnancy, diagnosis and treatment.

Hormonal changes

The action of hormones determines the functioning of all human organ systems, so any change in their balance affects the health of the body, and in a woman, the reproductive mechanism and menstrual cycle are the first to be affected.

After ovulation, the hormone progesterone takes effect. It is his active work that prepares the endometrium to receive a fertilized egg. This mucous layer becomes thick and loose. When fertilization does not occur, at the beginning of a new cycle, the lining of the uterus is shed in the form of menstruation. To highlight it, female hormones - estrogens - are activated. That is, their level changes throughout the cycle, which is a normal and natural process.

Sometimes this well-functioning mechanism malfunctions, and before menstruation, progesterone is in excess or insufficient quantities, which affects the maturity of the endometrium and in both cases prevents the start of full menstruation, which appears in the form of brown discharge. Sometimes a lack of estrogen prevents the uterus from secreting endometrium, and instead a brownish spotting is observed.

Reception OK

Quite often, the prerequisite for the appearance of brown or almost black discharge during menstruation is the use of oral contraceptives. Their action is aimed at causing an artificial hormonal imbalance in order to prevent pregnancy.

Especially in the first three months of using these drugs, disruptions occur in the female cycle. Brown menstrual bleeding can be either scanty or heavy in the form of dark clots. Read more about the causes of brown discharge when taking OCs in the article at the link.

Why do my periods come in a dark color: brown, black, dark burgundy?

Each woman's menstruation is different; for some, it is not heavy and lasts quite a long time, while for others there are only three or four days of scanty periods.

It all depends on the individual characteristics of the female body. In addition, hormonal levels and general health play a big role.

In general, as doctors say, a woman’s health can be judged by the quality and quantity of her periods.

There are times when menstruation takes on an unusual consistency and color. They can become brown, burgundy or completely black. Which somehow worries a woman and gives rise to disturbing thoughts.

In fact, there is no need for panic here; you just need to understand what caused such changes and what they mean.

When is menstruation normal?

What are periods for?

Everything happens because an unfertilized egg remains inside a woman after ovulation, which enters the uterus.

Under the influence of hormones, the egg breaks down into the endometrium and leaves the woman’s body in the form of menstruation.

As a rule, critical days are accompanied by mild cramping pain, the intensity of which may change over time.

There are a number of symptoms that indicate a deviation from the norm:

• the discharge becomes intense, it turns red, clots come out from inside;
• menstrual bleeding lasts longer than 6 days;
• menstruation occurs together with severe pain attacks and spasms;
• brownish tint to menstruation;
• different cycle lengths;
• After the end of menstruation, white discharge with an unpleasant odor appears.

Normal menstruation lasts from 3 to 6 days, while no more than 100 ml of blood is released from inside the woman’s body.

There should be no clots in the menstrual discharge. The smell remains typically monotonous. The color of the blood discharge should be scarlet or burgundy.

Causes of dark brown periods

This question is easy to answer - the blood released may include particles of clotting blood.

Dark brown menstruation is considered safe and typical if it occurs in this form at the beginning and at the end of menstruation.

This phenomenon can also be accompanied by taking hormonal drugs, for example, oral contraceptives.

But sometimes a woman’s brown discharge accompanies the entire period of menstruation.

In fact, you shouldn’t give in to anxiety and panic; you don’t need to suspect any serious abnormalities or diseases.

Perhaps the woman is simply taking medications that somehow affect hormonal levels. To make sure of this, simply consult a doctor.

Only a physician can confirm for sure that dark brown discharge during menstruation is not a consequence of serious diseases, such as fibroids, cervical dysplasia, endometritis or endometriosis. If the disease still exists, you should immediately take measures as prescribed by the treating gynecologist.

Dark menstruation as a result of diseases

It happens that the cause of such black and dark brown periods can be certain diseases, for example:

1. Endometrial hyperplasia is a disease of hormonal nature, when the intrauterine epithelium grows more than normal, drawing in the deep tissues of the organ. All this leads to heterogeneity and increased thickness of endometrial tissue, which is considered a pathology. In this case, dark discharge can occur not only during menstruation, but also in the middle of the cycle. This disease can lead to oncology, polyps, benign formations, loss of reproductive function, at a time when the woman is not even aware of it. Treatment is carried out surgically, medicinally, with hormonal supplementation.
2. Genital tuberculosis is an infectious disease when, due to improper hygiene and care for cleanliness, bacteria enter the genitals. In this case, the woman feels dull pain in the lower abdomen, her periods acquire a dark tint and an atypical unpleasant odor, and the nerve endings of the pelvic organs are affected by infection. Diagnosis and treatment are time-consuming and complex.
3. Metabolic disturbances are a hormonal phenomenon, which subsequently causes cycle disruptions, the formation of fibroids, and increased endometrial growth. Metabolic disorders can be provoked by special diets that severely limit a woman’s diet, as well as by intense exercise.

Malfunctions of the hypothalamus (it is responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, the regularity of the cycle, the woman’s weight) leads to the acquisition of a brown tint to menstruation. They become scarce and occur irregularly.

A typical situation occurs in a woman with heavy weight. It is worth reviewing your diet, filling it with healthy vegetables and fruits. Necessary foods containing carbohydrates, fats, and protein.

Physical activity should be normal; lack of activity or, conversely, intense training is harmful to women’s health.

Prevention

Ideally, menstruation should be like this:

• regular and stable;
• a certain shade;
• with slight pain;
• average duration.

However, the normal menstrual cycle lasts no less than 21 days and no longer than 35 days.

If everything is not quite so, you should not immediately think about all the above diseases, worrying and giving in to panic.

Dark brown menstruation is just a signal that you should pay attention to your health and general well-being. If menstruation is regular, then a slightly changed shade is not a cause for concern.

But if the cycle is constantly going astray, menstruation does not occur as planned, earlier or with a delay, and there is an unpleasant odor and dark color, you should consult a doctor.

Perhaps unfavorable changes are occurring inside the woman, which can be prevented only by seeking qualified help in time.

Alternative reasons for dark periods in the video

Source: https://NaturDoc.ru/pochemu-mesyachnyie-temnogo-tsveta/

Intrauterine device and medications

A popular means of preventing unwanted pregnancy is the intrauterine device. This gynecological device is inserted into the uterine cavity to prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg. In the first months, the IUD can cause scanty brown-red discharge instead of menstruation, since the body, which is not yet adapted, has difficulty removing a large amount of endometrium through the created barrier.

General medications, especially antibiotics, often cause irregular periods, which appear in an unusual color.

Relationship with age

The beginning and end of the reproductive period are the most sensitive stages in a woman’s life to hormonal fluctuations. Many changes and unusual symptoms observed in the reproductive system can be associated with them.

Often, girls who have recently crossed the threshold of puberty and experienced menarche wonder why there is brown discharge during menstruation, and not the expected bright scarlet bleeding. One to two years after the first critical days, such a sign is temporary, and it can be associated with the establishment of hormonal levels.

The same reason explains the irregularity and brown tint of menstruation with the onset of menopause. This is the body's natural reaction to estrogen deficiency. But this is acceptable until the point of menopause. After it, any brownish discharge, even a slight spotting, should be a reason to consult a doctor.

Why does this happen in the middle of the cycle?

Why are periods light and start in the middle of the cycle, every two weeks? Closer to ovulation, a “change in power” occurs in a woman’s body: the concentration of estrogen gradually decreases, and the concentration of gestagens increases. The signal for such transformations comes from the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. The result is ovulation occurs.

Sometimes there may be a slight imbalance of hormones, which is reflected in the appearance of bloody brown discharge from the genital tract. They should not be abundant (daily pads and normal hygiene regimen are sufficient), and should not last more than 2-3 days. Otherwise, this is a clear pathological condition that requires further treatment.

Such ovulatory bleeding (discharge is usually called this, although the amount is small) should not be monthly. Most often they are provoked by stress, lifestyle changes, physical activity and other factors unusual for a woman. If such discharge repeats from month to month, you should definitely undergo additional examination - in 90% of examinations, pathology of the uterine cavity is detected. Cases of polyps and hyperplasia can occur even in girls who have not given birth and are not sexually active.

Secretion after medical procedures

Surgery always becomes stressful for the body. Therefore, the first cycles after operations are often different from usual. During such periods, there may be no regulation or dark brown discharge may occur during menstruation.

The appearance of brown clots indicates the removal of residual amniotic tissue after an abortion or clotted blood after surgery.

If the discharge has an unpleasant odor and is accompanied by discomfort, then everything indicates an inflammatory process and infection, which is quite common after gynecological manipulations. To avoid these, it is important to follow all the rules of the rehabilitation period.

Menstruation is normal

The duration of the cycle depends on the personal characteristics of the woman’s body, so there is no need to panic about the fact that your indicators differ from those of your friends. As for normal periods, they should:

• have a red color;
• have no foreign odors;
• volume up to 60 ml per day.

If on the first day of this process brown discharge of a spotting, jelly-like or other type was detected, this is a clear sign of a malfunction in the body.

Anomalies in the structure of the genital organs

Female organs may have a congenital pathological structure. These are vaginal atresia and aplasia, unicornus, bicornus, saddleback, septum and uterine hypoplasia. With these deviations, the excreted endometrium is simply retained in the pathological parts of the organ and cannot be excreted normally due to the existing obstruction. The disorder causes menstruation to appear as brown spots or dark clots.

Problems of this nature can only be treated surgically.

Discharge during pregnancy

The moment of conception in some representatives of the fairer sex is indicated by a brown spot, which indicates the implantation of the fertilized egg into the walls of the uterus. During other periods of an interesting situation, such a symptom is unacceptable.

It happens that in the first month of pregnancy the described symptom is indicated. When the time of regulation approaches according to plan, but conception has occurred, the woman may observe brown discharge. During this period, the threat of miscarriage is highest, so you should pay maximum attention to your health and avoid physical activity.

Find out what discharge is like during a miscarriage by following the link.

Sometimes the reason for the presence of brown discharge during menstruation is a pathological pregnancy, namely, an ectopic pregnancy. In this case, not only discharge of an unusual color is observed, but also bursting pain in the lower abdomen and malaise. In such a case, it is necessary to urgently contact a gynecologist to prevent ovarian rupture. Such a violation threatens the woman’s life.

When the pregnancy test is negative, but there is a delay with brown discharge, most often we are talking about pathology, so if there is the slightest change in the menstrual cycle and the nature of your periods, you should consult a doctor to establish a diagnosis.

Remember that the absence of pain, unpleasant odors and discomfort does not exclude pathology.

When brown periods do not indicate a disorder

Normally, menstruation is red, scarlet or burgundy. When brown periods appear, the question arises about the presence of pathology or disease of the reproductive organs. The changed color of what is rejected during regulation does not always mean trouble. Let's consider the normal variants and signs of diseases.

What should a normal period be like?

During the menstrual cycle, an egg matures in one of the ovaries. After 1-2 weeks, the reproductive cell leaves the follicles and moves along the fallopian tube, waiting to meet the sperm. If they meet, fertilization occurs. Otherwise, the egg dies and leaves the female body.

Together with the reproductive cell, the woman’s body also leaves the endometrium - a layer of loose tissue that thickens during the menstrual cycle. The endometrium creates favorable conditions for fertilization and the life of the zygote.

Your period signals the start of a new menstrual cycle.

There are no deviations from the norm if:

• menstruation lasts from three to seven days;
• 50 to 100 ml of blood is released;
• the stomach hurts only for the first 2-3 days;
• small clots come out along with the blood;
• menstruation is cherry color, or any shade of red;
• you change the pad up to 5 times a day.

At the very beginning, your period will be dark in color and with clots. This is the endometrium with the egg coming out.

There is no need to panic if you notice burgundy blood during your period. The blood clots and oxidizes, and then leaves the vagina when you change the position.

Reasons for color change

The appearance of brown discharge during menstruation and the menstrual cycle is explained by the following factors:

1. Blood clots. If you are in one position for a long time - lying or sitting, the blood begins to clot. Girls especially often notice brown clots after sleep.
2. You are violating the rules of personal hygiene.
3. Are you taking oral contraceptives? In this case, light brown discharge appears on or after your period. If a woman has been using OCs for more than a year, then the body gets used to small portions of sex hormones. The endometrium hardly thickens during the menstrual cycle. Representatives of the fair sex note that menstruation becomes brown and extremely scanty. When you stop taking contraceptives, the body will return to normal: the discharge will turn red and become abundant.
4. Incorrectly selected OK.
5. Just starting to be sexually active.
6. The day before we had active sex, during which the vaginal walls were damaged.
7. You often feel stressed.
8. You push yourself too hard physically at work or in the gym.
9. There was a hormonal imbalance.
10. You have an intrauterine device.
11. You are on a strict diet.
12. You have low body weight. To produce hormones, you need adipose tissue, and a skinny girl has almost none. Menstruation may even disappear, leading to infertility.

To determine the cause of brown periods, consult your doctor.

Discharge during pregnancy

In the first trimester, brown discharge sometimes appears. They come on the days of the expected menstruation, since the body has not yet adjusted to the new hormonal background - there is not enough progesterone. This hormone stops the growth of follicles so that the embryo develops under normal conditions. Once the placenta is formed, the brown spot will no longer bother you.

If the discharge is heavy and lasts more than two days, consult a doctor: brown spotting indicates a threat of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

Below are two dangerous phenomena signaled by brown discharge on the days of expected menstruation:

Ectopic pregnancy

During a normal pregnancy, the egg is located in the uterine cavity. If ectopic - in the ovary, cervix, fallopian tube or abdominal cavity.

The causes of ectopic pregnancy are infections in the vagina, scars resulting from operations or inflammatory processes. Some girls have an abnormal structure of the fallopian tubes, which interferes with the movement of the fertilized egg.

Symptoms:

1. Pain in the abdomen and lower back suddenly appears and disappears abruptly.
2. There is heavy brown discharge on the days of the expected menstruation.
3. There is pain when urinating and defecating.
4. I feel weak and dizzy.

Frozen pregnancy

Frozen pregnancy is a process in which the fetus stops growing and dies in the womb. In the best case, the body itself rejects the fetus and after 2-2.5 weeks a miscarriage occurs. But this does not always happen. Cleaning the uterus is required more often.

Frozen pregnancy occurs due to hormonal imbalance, poor nutrition, stress, as a result of artificial insemination and when the Rh factor of the child and mother does not match.

Symptoms:

1. Purulent brown discharge comes out. They indicate the beginning of decomposition of the fetus.
2. There is no toxicosis.
3. The stomach hurts - the uterus is contracting.
4. Body temperature rises.

The main sign of a frozen pregnancy in the second trimester is the absence of embryo movement. But the belly continues to grow.

Diseases and brown menstruation

The cause of dark brown periods is diseases.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium grows and becomes established not only in the uterus, but also in the fallopian tubes, ovaries and other organs. The provocateur of the disease is hormonal imbalance, which is caused by various factors: frequent stress, constant physical strain, taking oral contraceptives. The disease can also be inherited from your mother or grandmother.

Along with menstruation, which is smeared brown, the following symptoms are observed:

• pain when urinating and defecating;
• discomfort during sexual intercourse;
• severe abdominal pain, especially during menstruation.

If left untreated, endometriosis can cause infertility.

Endometritis

Endometritis is inflammation of the endometrium. The disease appears after cesarean section and curettage, if parts of the placenta remain. They rot and spread infection throughout the body.

As a result, the endometrium is affected, then the uterus, then the pelvic organs.

Sometimes endometritis develops in a woman after natural childbirth, because during pregnancy the body is very weak and cannot fight diseases due to low immunity.

Brown discharge is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• abdominal pain, including during sexual intercourse;
• temperature increase;
• During menstruation there is brown discharge along with pus.

Anemia

Iron is involved in the process of respiration and metabolism.

Breath. The element is part of hemoglobin - this is the protein that makes up red blood cells. Iron captures oxygen, which red blood cells carry throughout organs and tissues. On the way back from the body, red blood cells “pick up” carbon dioxide with the help of iron. It is removed when you exhale.

Metabolism. Iron is found in enzymes and proteins that break down toxins and convert calories into energy.

Along with dark menstruation, the following symptoms appear:

• nails break;
• hair splits;
• the skin turns pale;
• Cracks appear on the hands and feet.

To eliminate iron deficiency anemia, eat foods rich in iron:

• nuts;
• meat;
• fish;
• liver;
• cottage cheese;
• cheese;
• eggs.

Plant foods also contain a lot of iron. But if 15% of iron is absorbed from animal foods, then only 5% is absorbed from plant foods.

Vaginitis

Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vaginal mucosa.

The disease occurs against the background of various factors: STDs, hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders, active sex life, allergies to shower gel, and poor personal hygiene.

Vaginitis is accompanied by white-green discharge with an unpleasant odor, the genitals itch or a burning sensation occurs. And during menstruation, brown discharge with a specific odor is observed.

Endometrial hyperplasia

This is a thickening of the inner lining of the uterus. The cause of the disease is a hormonal imbalance, in which the hormone estrogen begins to produce excess endometrium.

Symptoms of hyperplasia:

• menstruation more often than once a month;
• menstruation with heavy brown discharge;
• stomach ache;
• bleeding during menopause.

Be careful: sometimes the disease does not manifest itself.

Cystitis

Cystitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bladder. Women have a wider and shorter urethra, so it is easier for them to catch the disease than for men. Bacteria enter the bladder and begin to destroy the lining of the organ. The causes of the disease are frequent changes of sexual partners, E. coli, weak immunity.

Along with brown discharge, the following symptoms are observed:

• lower back and stomach pain;
• body temperature rises;
• frequent urination begins;
• foreign impurities appear in the urine;
• urine becomes dark in color.

If for some reason you do not move much, then the cause of cystitis is infrequent urination and an incompletely emptied bladder.

Polyps

Neoplasms in the form of balls on a stalk inside the uterus are polyps. They occur against the background of hormonal imbalance. The disease rarely manifests itself. The disease causes infertility and miscarriage.

Cervical cancer

Dangerous malignant formation. Do not delay going to the doctor if you notice the following symptoms:

• vaginal discharge with blood;
• brown discharge with pus on menstruation days;
• painful sexual intercourse;
• prolonged menstruation.

Additional symptoms: feeling weak, dizzy, loss of appetite. If there is an overgrown formation, in an advanced stage, surgical intervention is required.

What to do

All diseases need proper treatment. Get examined by a gynecologist, get tests, smears and ultrasounds. The doctor will prescribe the necessary medications. If you have brown blood during your period, pay attention to its quantity. Pay attention to purulent discharge - they clearly signal pathology.

Sometimes, if you notice brown blood during your period, there is no need to worry. There is no need to panic under the following conditions:

1. Menstruation lasts three days. With short periods, brown discharge at the end is normal.
2. A day has passed since my period. These are the remains of blood from which the uterus is released.
3. A teenager's first menstruation. For the first two years, brown blood will appear at the beginning of menstruation and during it - this is a feature of the girl’s body.
4. You gave birth to a child. In the first 6 weeks after birth, a discharge called lochia appears. They are deep red or burgundy, but can sometimes be brown.

It is worth seeing a doctor when you have had brown discharge for several days after your period ends. With brown spotting, the following symptoms may occur:

• the temperature has risen;
• I have a stomachache;
• vomiting and nausea appear;
• dizzy;
• lower back pain;
• go to the restroom often;
• urination causes discomfort;
• The pad fills in an hour, but it’s already the fourth day of your period;
• sexual intercourse is painful;
• genitals itch;
• a burning sensation appears in the genital area;
• menstruation comes a week or two later and lasts more than seven days;
• a lot of black clots come out with the blood.

If the discharge continues for more than two days, run to the doctor to avoid serious problems.