Author: Dr. Teji Dawane, Motherhood Hospital, Whitefield, Bangalore.

How to Treat and Prevent Brown Discharge?

What is brown discharge?

Females experience vaginal discharge and brown discharge can have many reasons. Brown discharge after intercourse and with no periods is a sign of concern. However, white vaginal discharge is normal. Brown discharge seen in the underwear is the blood mixed with vaginal fluid. Many factors cause brown discharge or spotting. Sexually transmitted diseases or PCOS can also have brown spotting.

This article will answer all your doubts about the reasons for brown discharge, whether it occurs before or after your period. For more details, call us at 96203-96203 or book an appointment.

Brown Discharge Before The Period

Some women face brown bleeding before the period, this is normal. This does not require any medical emergency. During menstruation, there is heavy bleeding for the first 3-4 days. Gradually, the bleeding decreases. After 3-4 days, the bleeding is brown in colour. So, this is common after periods as blood flow is lesser at the end of periods and it gets mixed up with vaginal fluids giving it a brown discharge.

Brown Discharge With No Periods

There is no need to worry about if brown discharge appears with no periods for the following Reasons:

1. Early pregnancy

We can notice brown discharge with no periods in early stages of pregnancy. This spotting suggests implantation. A fertilized egg is embedded in the uterine lining. Sometimes, after 2 weeks of fertilized egg implantation, brown spotting is seen. This can happen after 1- 2 weeks of unprotected intercourse. You can check with a pregnancy kit at home or consult our gynecologists for an assessment of your pregnancy.

2. Perimenopause

It is a natural process at the end of the menstrual cycle for a woman. It occurs between 40 to 50 years. There will be irregular periods with heavy bleeding. The end of menstruation also causes brown spotting. 

Perimenopause symptoms are:

1. Mood swings
2. Pain after intercourse
3. Itchy vagina
4. Cramps in the stomach
5. Pain in the back
6. Night sweats

Confirm the perimenopause symptoms with hormonal blood tests. Menopause is confirmed with the hormonal blood test and 12 consecutive months without periods. To know more about menopause, book an appointment with our top gynecologists.

3. Ovulation

Brown discharge during no period can be due to ovulation. Ovulation is the middle of the menstruation cycle i.e. 14 days after the menstrual cycle. The ovary releases an egg during this time which causes hormonal changes. The discharge is usually white and thick along with brown spotting. 

Other signs of ovulation are:

• Increased vaginal discharge

• Cramping

• Increased sexual desire

If the bleeding lasts for more than 2 days with pain, then you need to book an appointment (or) call 96203-96203.

4. Brown Discharge After Pregnancy

You can see bleeding after childbirth. This brown bleeding can be seen for more than a week. It tapers and changes colour from brown to yellowish. This is related to postpartum recovery.

5. After Gynecological Examination

You can see brown spotting after the pap test after your gynaecologist appointment. This is also of no concern.

Sign Of Danger For Brown Discharge

You need to contact your gynaecologist if brown discharge appears with no periods for the

following reasons:

1. Brown discharge during pregnancy

If there is brown discharge during pregnancy, it can be a miscarriage. There will be red discharge followed by brown spotting. Consult your healthcare provider as you need dilation and curettage (D&C).

2. Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) will have a bad vaginal fishy odour and itchy in the perinea! area with brown discharge. Causes of bacterial vaginosis are multiple sexual partners, vaginal infection or smoking.

This can be cured by antibiotics and creams that your gynecologist will prescribe.

1. Inflammatory disease or cancer
2. Inflammatory disease in the pelvis causes inflammation of female organs. There will be
3. Swelling in the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. You will feel pain while peeing or
4. after sex.
5. Cervical or endometrial polyps or uterine fibroids usually cause irregular bleeding and brown discharge.
6. Cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HR-HPV). HPV vaccination is recommended for the prevention of cervical cancer.
7. Early signs of cancer are brown spotting, foul smell and periods after menopause.

 3. Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is when an egg is not implanted in the uterus lining, but is placed outside in the fallopian tube. If there is a pain in the pelvis or shoulder with brown spotting, contact your clinician. Treatment includes medical and surgical management.

4. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

There will be cysts formation in the ovary in PCOS patients. These cysts may cause brown discharge. Your gynaecologist will prescribe some medication to reduce spotting. Diet and exercise can maintain the hormonal imbalance in PCOS women.

Symptoms of PCOS are:

• Pelvic pain

• Infertility

• Irregular periods

• Weight gain

• Stuck foreign bodies

If foreign bodies like condoms, vaginal rings, or tampons are stuck for a long time, it can cause brown spotting. It is essential to get it removed by your physician to prevent infections and pain.

5. Sexually transmitted infection (STD):

Sexually transmitted diseases like; chlamydia, and gonorrhoea can cause brown discharge between the periods. It can cause pain after sex, burning, foul smell, and pelvic pain. This needs to be addressed by your healthcare provider.

Managing and treating brown discharge:

Managing the brown discharge depends on the factors affecting it.

1. Temporary brown discharge
2. A few brown spots are temporary. It cannot be stopped if it is caused after the period or early pregnancy. This is due to hormonal changes.
3. To prevent from spoiling your clothes, you can wear panty liners.
4. Diseased brown discharged
5. Polyp and fibroid need to be operated on.
6. Antibiotics are used to treat STDs.
7. To treat cancer, chemotherapy, and surgery are required. But it depends on the cancer stage and the overall health of the woman.

FAQs:

1. What does normal discharge appear like?

The normal discharge is clear and white. Hormonal changes during early pregnancy and after periods show brown discharge. That is normal and not to worry about.

2. Does brown discharge be an early sign of pregnancy?

Yes, brown discharge can be a sign of early pregnancy. But you can confirm with a home pregnancy kit. If the home pregnancy kit shows positive, consult your gynecologist. She will further confirm the pregnancy with a blood test and ultrasound scan.

3. When should you see a doctor for brown discharge?

If you have burning while urinating, bleeding after sex, fever, muscle pain, a blister on the vaginal area, swelling, and redness in the vaginal area, painful and foul discharge along with brown discharge, you should book an appointment with your doctor.

Conclusion

Brown discharge needs to be addressed if it occurs with no periods and there is pain for more than 2 days. Your gynecologist will suggest tests and diagnostics based on your signs and symptoms.

Your doctor will help you figure out the causes and treatment plan. Being aware of potential causes can help address any underlying disease.

Motherhood Hospital is one of the most trusted hospitals in 11 cities with 24 hospitals and clinics offering the best treatment for women at all stages of their health journey. Our top gynecologists provide personalized treatment. To book an appointment, call us at 080 67238900 or book an appointment.

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