Monthly cycle and its impact
Often the cause of brown discharge isaging of the endometrium - the inner mucous membrane of the uterus. For some reason (due to various changes in the body), menstruation is delayed, the cells of the uterine mucosa have time to age and leave the body in the form of brown discharge. This means that menstruation itself is just around the corner. In some cases, if there has been a strong change in hormonal levels (for example, when starting to take hormonal contraceptives), such discharge can completely replace menstruation. If they are released several cycles in a row, you should definitely visit a gynecologist, because either this contraceptive is not suitable for you, or an inflammatory process has begun in the body. If instead of menstruation, vaginal discharge with a small admixture of blood is released in a woman aged 40-45 years, this may indicate the onset of menopause. Brown discharge instead of menstruation in women of childbearing age who have not started taking hormonal contraceptives indicates the presence of certain diseases (ovarian cyst, adenomyosis, endometritis, endometriosis, STIs). Often, brown discharge can last for several days after the end of menstruation. This is absolutely normal: in this way, the uterus completes the cleansing process. As a rule, they last no more than 3 days. If you notice that the discharge lasts longer, you should consult a doctor, since this may indicate the presence of diseases (uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis). In some cases, discharge in the middle of the cycle can occur during ovulation (on the 12-14th day). Moreover, pain in the ovaries may come along with it. Did the discharge start 4-7 days later? This may be the beginning of pregnancy: when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine mucosa, a little blood may be released. Normally, there are discharges in the middle (and in any other phase of the cycle) for 3 months from the start of using hormonal contraceptives (hormonal patch, hormonal ring, birth control pills), because during this time there is an addiction. Another reason for the appearance of brown discharge can be a banal failure of the monthly cycle. It can occur from stress, excessive physical exertion.
Causes not dependent on the menstrual cycle
BecauseOften brown discharge signals the presence of various diseases that require urgent treatment, it is better not to guess why there is discharge, but to contact a qualified specialist. Especially if the discharge is accompanied by an unpleasant odor, pain during sex, during urination, or simply pain in the lower abdomen, vaginal dryness, burning, itching, rash or fever. During pregnancy Sometimes pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy on the days when they usually had their period, for 2-3 months there are minor brown discharges that do not harm the health of either the expectant mother or the child. However, it is not always possible to determine whether certain discharges are safe, especially during the period of expectation of the child. The appearance of brown discharge can also be caused by a gynecological examination of a pregnant woman. During pregnancy, the vaginal mucosa becomes quite vulnerable, and when taking smears or inserting a speculum, the smallest lesions of the mucosa may occur, which will be the cause of slight brown discharge. In a frozen pregnancy, the endometrium and fetal membranes are rejected, and brown discharge begins. In some cases, a miscarriage (threat of miscarriage) may begin. If you immediately contact a specialist, then there is a high chance of saving the pregnancy. In the second trimester of pregnancy, discharge may mean placental abruption, which can provoke profuse bleeding and become a threat to the woman's life. Before childbirth, the release of the mucous plug is often accompanied by brown discharge. But do not worry, this is within the normal range.
What if you are in menopause?When menopause occurs, hormonal changes occur in the body, and as was written above, with hormonal changes, brown discharge can be considered normal and not dangerous. However, if more than a year has passed since the onset of menopause and the end of your last menstruation, discharge may indicate some diseases or disorders. During menopause, sex hormones stop being produced and this leads to thinning of the vaginal mucosa, which entails bloody discharge with microdamage to the vagina. The cause can be sexual intercourse, masturbation, active sports. Inflammatory processes can develop in the genital tract at any age. Therefore, even during menopause, you are not insured against STIs (if you are sexually active), thrush, which can cause inflammation of the cervix or vagina, the symptoms of which will be discharge. Especially if they are accompanied by an unpleasant odor, a feeling of dryness, itching, discomfort. Cervical polyps and uterine polyps are excessive local growths of the mucous membrane that are easily damaged, causing bloody discharge. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that develop in the myometrium (the muscular layer of the uterus) with the assistance of sex hormones. They usually develop before menopause. Since the level of sex hormones is quite low during menopause, fibroids significantly decrease in size after menopause. During menopause, fibroids cause bloody discharge when taking herbal estrogens (herbal medicine) or during hormone therapy. Cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and vaginal cancer can also cause brown discharge. Cancer, like all diseases, is easier to treat in the early stages. If you have any doubts about your health, you should see a doctor. To detect various diseases and timely treatment, it is necessary to visit a gynecologist once every six months and take a smear for cytology (cytological examination) once a year. Be healthy!
