Overview
Brown discharge before the period is common in most women and typically occurs at the beginning and/or end of the menstrual cycle. This article will discuss what is meant by dark brown discharge before period, when it occurs, and when it is appropriate to consult a physician regarding abnormalities in menstrual bleeding. By understanding these variations, women can evaluate their menstrual health and determine whether and when they should seek medical intervention.
Introduction
Brown menstrual blood is a common occurrence and usually has no bearing on women's health; in fact, brown blood implies that the blood has aged and oxidised due to slower movement through the body. The shade and texture of the menstrual blood can help women gain insight into their current health status.
What are the Causes of Dark Brown Discharge Before the Period?
The following are some common reasons for brown discharge:
Menstruation: Many women will have brown discharge just before or after their menstrual cycle. It is pretty common to experience brown discharge in the days leading up to and one to two days after their menstrual cycle has ended. Since this type of blood is considered "old" blood, it may also appear brown. Therefore, a woman can experience brown discharge towards the end of her menstrual cycle.
Ovulation Discharge: This type of brown discharge is "mid-cycle" or occurs during the process of ovulation. During this stage, it is possible to experience light bleeding, which may be brown, red, or pink discharge or spotting.
Inflammation: Inflammation of the vaginal area can cause a woman to have brown discharge. In many cases, women experience vaginal irritation with associated itching. Examples of common products that can irritate the vaginal lining include soaps, shampoos, and detergents, as well as many feminine hygiene products.
Implantation Bleeding: An individual may experience implantation bleeding shortly after the implantation of a fertilised egg into the uterine wall. Implantation bleeding may be light or brown.
Birth Control: Brown discharge (or light bleeding) is a common side effect of various types of birth control. Spotting due to taking the oral contraceptive pill generally resolves within 2–3 months after starting the medication. For other contraceptive methods like hormonal implants, spotting might continue for longer periods of time.
Retained Foreign Object: Anytime there is something placed inside the vagina that is not supposed to be there, it can produce a discharge alongside its own distinct odour (for instance, forgetting a tampon in the vagina).
Perimenopause: While a woman transitions through perimenopause (the time before reaching menopause), fluctuations of hormones and menstrual cycles occur, which may change what is considered "normal" and may also be a reason for some brown discharge.
Lochia (Postpartum Bleeding): Lochia usually starts as dark red blood before transitioning to brown or cloudy discharge.
Overall, the quantity and type of vaginal discharge vary day-to-day based on factors such as menstrual cycles, sexual activity, and the impact of hormones from birth control methods. Brown discharge that occurs intermittently within a few days of your period and with no other symptoms is generally considered normal.
When to Worry About Dark Brown Discharge Before the Period?
Many conditions requiring medical attention can cause the presence of brown vaginal discharge. These include:
Infection: Certain infections, such as vaginal yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV), can cause brown vaginal discharge, along with symptoms of itching and/or irritation.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): STIs that produce vaginal discharge include trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. If left untreated, some types of STDs may eventually lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and the urine colour will change to brownish-yellowish-greenish.
Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy happens when an embryo implants itself outside the uterus (most often in a fallopian tube). This pregnancy may also be symptom-free, but it could cause a woman to experience brown vaginal discharge and/or other signs.
Miscarriage: A miscarriage during an early stage of pregnancy will manifest as brown vaginal discharge that appears old and/or discoloured. Additional signs that may indicate a miscarriage are bleeding (either without or with cramping) and tissue being expelled from within the vagina. If you notice one or more of these types of symptoms, please contact your doctor.
Ovarian cysts: Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled cavities that can emerge from the ovaries. Ovarian cysts can produce an irregular period and/or a heavy period, as well as spotting. There may be times when the discharge may be brownish in colour.
Cervical cancer: Brown vaginal discharge can indicate something far more serious than just a simple gynaecological issue. Early-stage cervical cancer has very few symptoms and may produce vaginal discharge that occurs continuously and may be pink, pale, watery, brown, bloody, or foul-smelling.
PCOS: PCOS can produce brown discharge as a by-product of infrequent periods and slower flow. In these women, the blood in the discharge may oxidise and appear brown in colour.
Uterine Fibroids: Fibroids are benign tumours within the uterus. Although they are not cancerous, fibroids may cause similar symptoms, such as brown vaginal discharge, as they can block normal menstrual flow.
When to see a healthcare professional?
When significant changes to your vaginal discharge occur, consult your health care provider if you have the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Abdominal/pelvic pain
- Heavy bleeding
- Large clots in your vaginal discharge
- In addition, if you have itching, burning during urination or sores in the genital area, you should seek medical attention.
A healthcare professional can develop a treatment plan based on the cause of the brown discharge and its associated symptoms.
Conclusion
Brown discharge can occur for many reasons, including an individual's normal monthly menstrual cycle, the beginning stages of perimenopause (before menopause occurs), and as a side effect of using hormonal forms of contraception. In addition, some conditions that cause excess brown discharge may also result in an individual getting an infection or developing an ectopic pregnancy, both of which would require a visit to a doctor. If you have concerns about brown discharge before your period, please consult with your healthcare provider. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and, if needed, provide an appropriate diagnosis of any condition related to your brown discharge.
Common Questions Asked
Is brown period blood a sign that you are pregnant?
Brown spotting (dark brown blood) is often an early indication of pregnancy through implantation bleeding. This generally happens between 10 and 14 days after fertilisation. However, if you experience any type of bleeding or discharge during pregnancy, contact your physician, as it may be indicative of something else.
What does a brown discharge mean without a period?
Hormonal fluctuations, stress, or perhaps a problem such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) could be linked with a lack of menstruation, but brown discharge or spotting.
Should I be worried about bad-smelling brown discharge?
Certain types of infections can produce foul-smelling discharge (brown), including bacterial vaginosis or a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Does stress lead to brown discharge?
When under stress, hormonal shifts can take place, leading to either mid-cycle spotting or brown discharge. If the brown discharge seems heavy and accompanied by other atypical symptoms such as fatigue, pelvic pain, or dizziness, contact your physician.
Is brown discharge after intercourse normal?
As a result of sensitive areas of the cervix, it is normal for a woman to have mild spotting after having intercourse. However, it is advisable that if you are having recurring brown discharge/spotting, you seek medical evaluation to rule out infections or lesions of the cervix.