The vaginal discharge It is a viscous liquid that is secreted by the glands located inside the vagina and cervix and is very beneficial for keeping the intimate area clean and preventing possible infections. This liquid in normal conditions is clear, whitish, transparent and with a slight odor, but in no case is it unpleasant; its color and consistency may vary depending on the time of month the woman is in. However, be aware of unusual changes and significant alterations in the color and smell of it, as this can be a clear symptom of some type of vaginal infection or disease. In this OneHowTo article, we focus on those darker vaginal secretions and answer the question of why do i have the brown discharge, a condition that will make you have to be attentive to the presence of other types of symptoms.
Brown discharge before menstruation or after menstruation
It is possible that a few days after your period ends or just before the start of a period, flow is brown or darker than usual. In this case, it does not imply any health problem, but it happens because during menstruation the uterus was unable to expel all the cells and it does so with some delay. As a result, you can see brownish vaginal secretions that are part of a natural process of cleaning the uterus by expelling the remains of old blood.
However, if the brown discharge occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, it may be related to a certain hormonal imbalance, something that some women who are taking contraceptives tend to experience, such as the pill or the ring. In addition, specialists have pointed out that although the exact cause is unknown, during ovulation it is also possible that at some point the discharge becomes somewhat more brownish.
Brown discharge in pregnancy
Another common cause of brown vaginal discharge is the pregnancy, which can occur during the first trimester. This occurs because both the vagina and the cervix become congested, which in turn can erode a vessel and lead to the expulsion of a brown discharge and slight bleeding. If you are waiting for your period to arrive, but instead of observing the usual bleeding, you see that the discharge is brown, it would be advisable to take a pregnancy test, since it is possible that you are expecting a baby. Find out about what other signs you can notice by consulting the article What are the first symptoms of pregnancy.
It is important to note that in this case, the secretions are reduced, so if the flow appears abundantly, you should consult with your gynecologist as soon as possible.
Hormonal imbalances
At other times, downloading a brown flow rather than menstrual bleeding may be related to a hormonal imbalance in the body. It is advisable to be alert to this sign and see a doctor or gynecologist as soon as possible, since this alteration in hormone levels could be a consequence of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian failure or endometriosis. In addition to vaginal secretions with a darker color, there are other signs that can alert you that you could have any of these conditions, as we explain in the article What are the symptoms of polycystic ovaries and What are the symptoms of endometriosis .
On the other hand, there are also cases in which these hormonal imbalances have to do with taking, for example, contraceptive pills, and the progesterone they contain can lead to variations in cervical mucus and thus cause vaginal bleeding brown instead of menstrual flow.
Brown discharge at menopause or perimenopause
In the initial phase of menopause, some women may have a brown vaginal discharge, which indicates the end of your ovulation cycle. In addition to this, the decrease in estrogen levels causes the entire reproductive system to slow down and experience symptoms such as sweats, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, sudden mood swings, etc. If you find yourself in this situation and want to contribute to your well-being, we advise you to consult the article How to alleviate the symptoms of menopause.
If this type of vaginal secretions take place during menopause, in more advanced stages, it may be due to hormone replacement therapy, which is why you should visit your gynecologist to determine the exact cause and rule out the suffering of problems of more serious health.
Other causes of brown discharge
In addition to those mentioned so far, other possible causes of brown vaginal discharge could be those detailed below:
Cervical cancer
When cervical cancer develops, one of the first symptoms you can see is a heavier vaginal discharge, which may be brown in color, contain blood, and have a foul or very unpleasant odor. In this disease, an early diagnosis is key so that the patient can recover and be treated favorably.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
It is an infection that affects the female sexual organs and is often caused by venereal diseases, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Although there are not always clear symptoms, brown discharge and abnormal vaginal bleeding are among the main signs, in addition to abdominal pain, discomfort when urinating, pain during intercourse, fever, and nausea or vomiting.
Uterine fibroid or fibroid
These are benign tumors that develop in the womb and that depending on their size can cause symptoms such as bleeding between periods and brown secretions, pain in the pelvic region, discomfort when having sexual intercourse and a greater desire to urinate frequently. It is important to go to the gynecologist and undergo the appropriate tests to avoid possible complications and initiate the appropriate treatment depending on the state of health, age and symptoms.
This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why do I have the brown discharge, we recommend that you enter our Family Health category.