First day of menstruation dark discharge. Causes of brown menstruation. Diagnostic measures and treatment
![First day of menstruation dark discharge. Causes of brown menstruation. Diagnostic measures and treatment](https://i2.wp.com/syl.ru/misc/i/ai/144045/424413.jpg)
Many women who are serious about their health are concerned about the phenomenon of dark brown discharge. Sometimes they appear suddenly, between periods, and sometimes during or immediately after them. What do these highlights mean? Could they be a sign of a pathological process in the female body? Let's look into this in more detail.
Is dark discharge always a sign of a disease?
It is probably understandable that the brown color of the vaginal discharge gives the blood. Sometimes this occurs in perfectly healthy women. For example:
- natural dark brown discharge before menstruation, a few hours or days before the start (this is the first sign of their approach);
- normal discharge and after menstruation for several days;
- when taking hormonal contraceptives, they can “decorate” the middle of the menstrual cycle;
- after violent sex, dark discharge is usually caused by injury to the vaginal mucosa;
- the same can happen with insufficient lubrication during sexual intercourse;
- at the very beginning of sexual life, spotting appears not only at the moment of deprivation of virginity, but also during several subsequent acts;
- in adolescent girls, before the start of the first menstruation, dark discharge may also be observed for some time, which signal the girl's transition to a new rank - "girl".
When should diseases be suspected?
But discharge of a dark brown color can also be signs of a disease. If they are not associated with taking hormonal drugs and appear in the middle of the cycle or occur every time after sexual contact, this is a reason to be wary. If the discharge is accompanied by fever, aching pain in the abdomen (its lower part), itching in the vagina, dryness and pain during bladder emptying or sexual intercourse, and if a lady over 45 years old has not had a period for a year before, a woman should suspect something was wrong and contact a gynecologist. Next, we will consider pathological processes, the signs of which can serve as these discharges.
Cervical erosion
The named disease is one of the most common diagnoses in gynecology. It is a defect in the mucous membrane of the cervix, which is caused by various reasons: frequent and rough sexual intercourse, sexual infections, trauma during childbirth or abortion, etc. In most cases, this pathology is asymptomatic, it is detected only during an examination by a gynecologist. But sometimes the disease is accompanied by dark brown discharge after sexual contact, and sometimes for no apparent reason. Often such discharges have an unpleasant odor, which, by the way, indicates the presence of inflammation. There are congenital, true erosion and ectopia (pseudo-erosion). Depending on the size of the pathology and concomitant infections, the therapeutic tactics will be different, but in any case, this disease requires regular monitoring by a specialist.
Ectopic pregnancy
When dark brown discharge instead of menstruation is accompanied by severe pain and a repulsive odor, a similar phenomenon may signal an ectopic pregnancy. By the way, if pain of any strength appears and it is localized in the genitals, accompanied by atypical discharge, then you should immediately consult a gynecologist! The diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy can only be made after examination by a specialist and ultrasound, and in order to ensure its timely interruption, you need to seek medical help as soon as possible.
Vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina) and cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix)
Regardless of whether a woman is sexually active or not, her genital tract can be affected by inflammation. For example, candidiasis (thrush) causes an inflammatory process in women of any age, and women in menopause also have dark brown discharge. In women, in this case, they are associated with thinning (atrophy) of the vaginal mucosa, due to which even small injuries can provoke discharge of varying intensity. An active sexual life with unprotected sex can lead to sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis). They are accompanied by itching, burning and dryness in the perineum, as well as brown, yellow or green discharge. These diseases can cause inflammation not only of the vagina, but also of the cervix. They must be treated!
polyps
The pathological growth of the mucous layer lining the uterus or its neck, which has the form of a protrusion, is defined in medicine as a polyp. The exact causes of the appearance of such a pathology are still unknown. These include infectious diseases, inflammatory processes, and hormonal disorders. As a rule, polyps are benign formations, but precancerous changes are found in some of them. If the appearance of a polyp is accompanied by dark brown discharge, it is large, and biopsy and cytology tests indicate a risk of developing cancer cells, then the polyp is removed.
endometritis
The endometrium is the mucous tissue that lines the inside of the uterus. Violation of its integrity, coupled with a decrease in local immunity, leads to an inflammatory process. It is often accompanied by an increase in temperature and the appearance of pulling pains in the lower abdomen, purulent or brown discharge instead of menstruation is added to this, and all this is already a serious sign of pathology that requires immediate treatment to a specialist. Undiagnosed in time, acute endometritis becomes chronic, which can affect the reproductive function of a woman.
What is endometrial hyperplasia?
Hyperplasia in medicine is called tissue growth. That is, endometrial hyperplasia is an increase in the volume of the inner layer of the uterus, which has a benign character. Enhanced reproduction of stromal and glandular elements of this layer leads to this state. Most often, such changes occur during hormonal changes in the body (during the premenstrual period in girls and premenopausal in women). One of the main signs of hyperplasia is bloody dark brown discharge, which can appear both in the intermenstrual period and after a short delay in menstruation. As a rule, these discharges are moderate and smearing. True, with hyperplasia that occurs in adolescence, breakthrough heavy bleeding with blood clots is also possible. If they become prolonged, they can lead to anemia.
Cervical cancer
The named diagnosis is in third place in the world among oncological diseases in women. What causes this pathology is unknown. Although it has recently been found that almost 100% of patients with this diagnosis have the human papillomavirus (HPV) in their bodies, not everyone infected with this virus develops cancer. It occurs at any age, but women over 40 are at the highest risk. One of the main symptoms of this pathology is spotting. By the way, why brown discharge in such cancer patients appears after sex or in the middle of the cycle is also not yet clear. If they are joined by pain in the lower abdomen, then this sign is attributed to the symptoms of cancer that has managed to spread to neighboring organs.
Why do brown discharge appear during menstruation?
During menstruation, brown discharge can be either a symptom of one of the gynecological diseases listed above, or a consequence of stress, acclimatization, or the result of taking hormonal contraceptives. But it often happens that such a phenomenon is a sign of a future addition to the family, since some women continue to have periods during pregnancy, especially in its first trimester, however, becoming very scarce and short. Be sure to take a pregnancy test and visit a gynecologist!
Is discharge dangerous during pregnancy?
During the menstrual cycle in every woman, the level of progesterone drops to almost zero, and the endometrium begins to detach, which leads to the appearance of menstrual flow. In a future mother, the body sometimes does not leave old “habits” and, despite the successful fertilization that has occurred, the level of progesterone that preserves the fetus, on the days when menstruation should be, decreases. This is how brown discharge appears, which signal that the endometrium is still partially exfoliating. Do not panic, but this sign may also be a symptom of an existing threat of interruption in the development of the fetus or, as mentioned above, its ectopic location. Consult a doctor!
What to do if brown discharge appears?
As you have probably seen from the above, the appearance of discharge of an unusual color, especially accompanied by pain, weakness or fever, requires a mandatory visit to the gynecologist. You should not wait for the unpleasant phenomenon to pass by itself - it may disappear from time to time, but later develop into a serious pathology! Do not try to diagnose yourself - you are not an expert! Do not take risks, do not be lazy and urgently consult a doctor: it is possible that your worries will turn out to be in vain, and the discharge will be only temporary, but if you detect the disease in time and start its treatment, then the risk of remaining childless or getting a serious chronic disease will be minimal. Be healthy!
If the first day of menstruation began with brown discharge, this can be both an indicator of the norm and a sign of serious violations in the woman's reproductive system. A regular menstrual cycle is a very important indicator of health, which, however, can be influenced by various external factors.
It is very important to find out the reasons for the dark discharge on the first day of menstruation, otherwise even the most competent and experienced gynecologist will not be able to help the patient solve her problem.
Physiological causes
So why is there brown discharge on the first day of menstruation, and is it dangerous for a woman's health? Before panicking, a woman should remember that conditionally the causes of such a phenomenon can be divided into 2 groups: physiological and pathological. In parallel, certain external factors can also have a negative impact on the functioning of the reproductive system.
Therefore, if dark brown discharge has gone on the first day of menstruation, this may not be related to the presence of pathological processes. Often such a “frightening” phenomenon has purely physiological reasons.
At the beginning of menstruation, the uterine endometrium is strongly affected by sex hormones. Under their influence, it is actively rejected, and the uterus secretes a rather large amount of menstrual blood, which contains dark, brown clots.
These secretions are nothing more than her internal mucous layer, so a woman should not be frightened or worried - her internal genital organs are working normally and are completely healthy.
If the menstrual flow is brown on its own and there are no blood clots, this may indicate that there is too little blood and it oxidizes and coagulates before the vagina has time to secrete it. But such a phenomenon is considered normal on the last, and not on the first day of menstruation. And although it does not always speak of pathologies of the organs of the reproductive system, nevertheless, it should not be ignored. Consultation of a qualified gynecologist will never be superfluous!
The most common factors
If brown discharge appeared on the first day of the onset of menstruation, this may be due to:
- experienced stress or nervous shocks;
- excessively intense physical activity;
- recent diseases (moreover, they may not be related to the organs of the reproductive system);
- uncontrolled use of medications;
- age-related changes;
- "colored" pregnancy;
- postpartum period;
- hormonal disorders;
- anomalies in the structure of the uterus.
In this case, a woman can immediately identify several reasons why dark discharge could go on the first day of the onset of menstruation. Often, special treatment is not required - it is necessary to understand why the failure occurred and eliminate the factor that provoked it.
COC as a cause of brown menstrual flow
If on the first day of menstruation brown discharge occurs for several months, and at the same time the woman takes oral hormonal contraceptives, the reason is clear: it was the birth control pills that caused the occurrence of such an anomaly.
In addition, the menstrual cycle may fail, which is also due to the effect of hormones contained in tablet preparations aimed at preventing unwanted pregnancy.
But we should not forget that the occurrence of brown discharge during menstruation, due to COCs, is permissible only during the first 3 months from the start of their use. If the anomaly has become a constant companion, it cannot be ignored - you need to consult a doctor.
Brown menstrual flow may also appear after the installation of an intrauterine device. It has the property of retaining menstrual blood inside the uterus, which leads to its darkening and thickening.
Age changes
Brown discharge on the first day of menstruation is often observed in young girls who have just begun menarche. Moreover, this phenomenon does not last 2-3 months - it can continue for 1-2 years. And this is absolutely normal, because the girl's body is growing up, and the hormonal background is gradually getting better. Consequently, there are fluctuations in the levels of estrogen and progesterone - the main female sex hormones.
The eve of menopause also cannot but affect the work of the organs of the reproductive system. This also applies to the nature of menstrual flow. With a decrease in the hormone-producing function of the ovaries, when the level of estrogen is constantly falling, on the first day of the onset of menstruation, a woman may have brown blood. Sometimes it may not stand out at all.
The onset of pregnancy
If a woman has brown discharge, this may be a sign of pregnancy. However, their presence is permissible only at the beginning of this period, when the fetal egg is attached to the wall of the uterus. In this case, the day of the onset of menstruation does not play a role. But if brown discharge appeared exactly when menstruation should have come (according to the schedule), besides, they are quite intense (during pregnancy they are spotty and scarce), this should be the reason for an immediate appeal to the gynecologist. Such an anomaly threatens miscarriage.
Brown discharge, reminiscent of menstruation, can also appear during an ectopic pregnancy. This is an extremely dangerous condition that requires mandatory medical intervention, otherwise the consequences can be extremely serious.
Brown periods in the postpartum period
If after childbirth on the first day of menstruation brown discharge appears, you should not worry - the body gradually returns to the full performance of its functions, which were previously in a "sleepy" state. First of all, it concerns the work of the reproductive system.
Intensive changes in the hormonal balance begin, in addition, the prolonged absence of menstruation also has a significant effect on the color and intensity of the discharge.
Anomalies in the structure of the reproductive organ
Brown discharge at the beginning of menstruation is a fairly common occurrence in the presence of deviations in the structure of the uterus. It may occur with:
- hypoplasia;
- saddle-shaped uterus;
- unicornuate or bicornuate uterus.
So, violations of the normal structure of the reproductive organ lead to the fact that the blood and endometrial areas cannot fully reach the vagina and remain in the uterine cavity. This explains not only the appearance of dark-colored secretions on the first day of menstruation, but also their scarcity. Sometimes menstrual blood can even acquire a black tint, and this should seriously alert a woman. Anomalies in the structure of the uterus can not only cause darkening of the discharge during menstruation, but also lead to more serious and dangerous consequences.
Excessive weight loss
In women who are overly fond of diets, brown discharge in the first days of menstruation is a common thing.
This phenomenon also occurs in girls who deplete their body with unbearable physical exertion aimed at reducing body weight.
Sudden weight loss turns on the body's defense reaction, since too intense bleeding during menstruation can cause serious harm to a woman. Under such conditions, the periods will be brown, spotting, scanty, and sometimes they may not come at all.
Dark discharge in gynecological diseases
Often, brown discharge at the beginning of the menstrual cycle appears due to the development of various gynecological diseases. If the matter is really in the presence of pathological processes, one should not hesitate: many of them can lead to extremely serious consequences (cancer, infertility, damage to neighboring organs, etc.).
The most common diseases associated with the reproductive system that can cause brown discharge on the first day of menstruation include:
- Endometritis. This pathology is characterized by the development of an inflammatory process in the epithelial tissues lining the mucous layer of the uterus (endometrium). As a result, dark menstrual discharge occurs, which has an unpleasant odor.
- Endometriosis. This pathology is characterized by the growth of the mucous layer of the uterus - the endometrium. As a rule, brown vaginal discharge appears not only on the first, but also on any other day of the menstrual cycle.
- Uterine polyposis can also cause dark vaginal discharge.
- Inflammatory processes in the genitals can also lead to a change in the nature of menstruation.
Dark discharge during critical days may be the result of the formation of tumors in the uterus or ovaries. But to determine the causes of the anomaly on your own is not something that is difficult - it is practically unrealistic, since, as you can see, there are quite a lot of them.
To understand why dark discharge appeared on the first day of menstruation, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist and go through all the necessary procedures to make a correct diagnosis. Only a comprehensive diagnosis is the key to prescribing the right treatment and, as a result, preventing consequences that are dangerous to a woman’s health, because the menstrual cycle is a delicate system that cannot be trifled with under any circumstances!
For the female body, discharge is a healthy and normal phenomenon. Thanks to them, the body removes bacteria, dead cells, protects the vagina from infections.
Progesterone and estrogen, the hormones responsible for a woman's fertility, affect the female body the most. It is they who change the color and amount of discharge in the menstrual cycle.
When pregnancy occurs, menstruation stops, but the discharge does not always disappear. Having correctly determined the patient's diagnosis, having analyzed the color, consistency and amount of fluid released, one can not only assess the state of the woman's health, but also notice a dangerous disease in time.
Pregnancy manifests itself and proceeds always in different ways. However, brown discharge is most often a sign of early pregnancy. They are one of the very first responses to changes in the hormonal background of a woman. However, you should look closely at the secretions in any situation.
If your period is delayed and brown discharge appears instead, you are pregnant. At the beginning of pregnancy, they talk about the attachment of a fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus. Usually, the discharge begins on the seventh day after fertilization and lasts 3-4 days, and their color varies from pink to dark brown.
Small bleeding may also appear - this is the blood that was in the womb before fertilization. Bleeding may be accompanied by small cramps in the lower abdomen - these are muscle cramps of the uterus. Gynecologists note that too much bleeding and very severe pain can be a signal of a possible miscarriage.
If you had only colored discharge instead of menstruation, and a full menstruation began a few days later, this is a sign of hormonal disorders. In this case, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist to normalize hormonal levels.
How to distinguish regular periods from discharge
It is necessary to distinguish between menstrual bleeding with the release of chronic endometrium and discharge. In the first case, old blood or old tissues left in the uterus during previous periods come out (which is why they turned brown). Allocations can also be called "daub": they are smaller in number, the consistency of the discharges is more viscous.
Everything here is as individual as with pregnancy. In some women, brown discharge can come out as profusely as blood during menstruation. Moreover, they can coincide with the cycle, thereby confusing the woman completely.
If you're not sure if it's pregnancy, answer two simple questions:
- Have you had unprotected sex?
- Were there errors in taking oral contraceptives?
If you are unsure about any of these points, be sure to take a pregnancy test.
Coitus interruptus (sex without any contraceptives, but with the removal of the penis from the vagina just before ejaculation) is equated with unprotected sex.
There are no periods during pregnancy. The body of a pregnant woman goes into another mode, in which the egg ceases to be produced in the ovary - which means that the need to remove an unfertilized egg disappears (this is the main function of menstruation).
If a pregnant woman observes bleeding from the vagina, this is not menstruation, but spotting. In early pregnancy, 25 percent of women experience such discharge.
You can identify false periods by several signs:
- Menstruation is not as profuse as usual;
- Menstruation came earlier than usual;
- Menstruation ended earlier than usual;
- Unusual color of discharge (from pink to black).
If you are sexually active, any change in your cycle could be a sign of early pregnancy. Remember that there are no contraceptives that can 100 percent protect a woman from fertilization.
"Monthly" during pregnancy does not override the results of a pregnancy test or a positive hCG test. If your blood or urine shows you are pregnant, you are bleeding and not having a full period.
At the very beginning of pregnancy, spotting indicates the attachment of the embryo to the wall of the uterus. Allocations may appear at a later date: this is due to the greatest sensitivity of the vagina and cervix. Blood flows much more abundantly, and any damage to the mucosa responds with discomfort.
The most common mechanical injuries include sex and gynecological examination.
Sex
During pregnancy, sex is safe, and classic sex is even good for the health of a pregnant woman. However, brown discharge is a common "side effect" of sexual intercourse.
Increased blood flow makes the mucosa as sensitive as possible to any irritants, including the penis. Small injuries appear - they are not dangerous, but it is still necessary to contact a gynecologist.
If the gynecologist does not find complications or abnormalities, you can resume sexual activity. Keep in mind that you can’t have sex from the moment the discharge appears until you go to the gynecologist. If the discharge appeared during intercourse, it must be stopped immediately.
Use spacers so you can control the color and amount of discharge. The gynecologist will definitely ask about this at the next examination.
Pregnant women, especially in the early stages, take all possible tests, including smears. Pap smears and any other medical penetration into the vagina easily provoke spotting. They are not dangerous.
You will have to give up sex for a while and use personal hygiene products (daily "daily" will do if spotting is not very plentiful). Discharge from mechanical damage lasts no longer than two days.
Danger to pregnancy
By themselves, the discharge is safe and even beneficial. Healthy secretions do not have an unpleasant odor, appear uniform in consistency and are not accompanied by pain.
An unpleasant odor is the first sign of inflammation. Make a mucosal analysis (smear) and consult a gynecologist. Any inflammation threatens the health and development of the embryo.
Other hazards include lumpy discharge, pieces of tissue coming out, a bright scarlet color. Dizziness, fainting, severe pain, vomiting. In these cases, immediately call an ambulance.
These symptoms indicate serious complications: ectopic pregnancy (the fertilized egg did not reach the uterus), cystic drift (the embryo does not develop correctly), missed pregnancy (the embryo has stopped developing), miscarriage.
Allocations as a threat of miscarriage
After confirming pregnancy, do not stop monitoring your menstrual cycle.
With a confirmed pregnancy (positive test and analysis for hCG), discharge instead of menstruation acquires a shade of danger. This means that the woman's body cannot cope with the production of enough hormones to carry the embryo.
The period of menstruation is most dangerous for the fetus in the early stages. When the body has not yet had time to switch to the "mode" of pregnancy, the concentration of progesterone is greatly reduced, and the uterus can remove the supposedly unfertilized cell. There is a high risk of miscarriage.
Diseases manifested by brown discharge
Brown discharge is usually harmless, but it can also be a sign of serious illness. Please note if you have satellites such as:
- severe itching;
- Unpleasant odor from discharge;
- tingling;
- Swelling or pain in the vagina;
- Pain during sex.
You should immediately contact a gynecologist. These can be sexually transmitted diseases, which are usually treated with antibiotics; uterine polyps - they can be stopped with hormonal drugs (or in case of complications - an operation to remove the uterus); cervical cancer.
In addition, brown discharge instead of menstruation can be a signal of menopause or atrophic vaginitis (hormone deficiency that accompanies menopause). Menopause cannot be cured, but the symptoms of age-related changes in the body can be stopped.
When brown discharge appears instead of menstruation, it is recommended:
- Change pads regularly throughout the cycle;
- Do not use tampons during pregnancy;
- Wear cotton underwear of a suitable size;
- Do not rinse your vagina! This will disrupt the natural flora and cause infection.
To correctly determine the cause of the discharge, it is first necessary to find out the fact of the patient's pregnancy - the choice of treatment depends on this.
During pregnancy, any deviation from the norm should be taken seriously. Here, not only the health of the expectant mother, but also her child can suffer.
Even though pregnancy and menopause are common causes of brown vaginal discharge, don't neglect your health. Contact your gynecologist as soon as you feel unusual sensations.
Video - brown discharge instead of menstruation is a sign of pregnancy
Many women are interested in why, instead of normal menstruation, scanty brown discharge suddenly appears. If this is a sign of a disease, then how dangerous is it. The nature of menstruation is an indicator of a woman's reproductive health. But these symptoms are not only due to illness. Even stress is the cause. If there are doubts about the state of health, there are signs of diseases of the uterus or appendages, you should visit a doctor and undergo an examination.
Content:
What periods are considered normal
Normally, menstruation should be repeated regularly and last from 3 to 5 days. The color of normal secretions is burgundy-red, their total volume for all days of menstruation is about 80 ml. For some, they come after 21 days, for others - after 35, but the main thing is that the interval is approximately constant. The color is due to the presence of coagulated blood from the vessels damaged during the detachment of the endometrium. The consistency is explained by the presence in the secretions of dead epithelium and mucus produced by the glands of the cervix.
There may be various deviations in the nature of menstruation, including volume, duration and color. The reasons are varied: from individual characteristics of the body to serious diseases.
When the patient complains of hypomenorrhea (brown daub instead of menstruation), the doctor determines the cause, taking into account the woman's age, general health, and sexual activity. It is important to know whether a woman gave birth or not, whether there were abortions and other operations on the uterus and appendages.
Natural Causes of Hypomenorrhea
In some cases, the appearance of brown discharge instead of menstruation is not a pathology:
- In the first 1.5-2 years after the appearance of the first menstruation in girls, the cycle is most often unsteady, they are either plentiful, or smearing, brown. This is due to fluctuations in the ratio of sex hormones produced by immature ovaries. Pathology is the existence of such deviations in the future, after 2 years.
- Smearing brown discharge sometimes appears at the beginning of pregnancy at the time of attachment of the embryo to the wall of the uterus. This damages small blood vessels in the endometrium. Oxidized blood, released in a small amount, gives ordinary mucus a brown tint. A woman, not yet knowing about her pregnancy, may think that the discharge appeared instead of menstruation. If the pregnancy test is positive, but the scanty brown periods continue to appear, this indicates insufficient production of progesterone, which is necessary to maintain pregnancy. In this case, the discharge is a warning about the threat of miscarriage. It is necessary to pass the analysis on hormones and to carry out treatment.
- With menopause 2-3 years before the last menstruation, the cycle is also disturbed, ovulation does not occur every month. Therefore, the intensity of secretions and the time of their onset can vary greatly. The closer to menopause, the menstruation becomes more scarce, gradually becoming a faint brown tint, and then disappear altogether.
- After childbirth and during lactation, as well as after the cessation of lactation, menstruation is not restored immediately. They may be brownish at first.
Video: Causes of brown discharge instead of menstruation
Causes of abnormal periods
The causes of menstrual disorders that are not associated with natural physiological processes are, as a rule, diseases of various organs, abnormal changes in hormonal levels. There are factors that contribute to the occurrence of amenorrhea.
Ectopic pregnancy. If the test showed the presence of pregnancy, but scanty brownish discharge continues to appear at the time when menstruation is due, this may indicate that the embryo is not fixed in the uterus, but in the tubes. In this case, a partial exfoliation of the endometrium occurs, weak pinkish-brown discharge appears. Such a dangerous condition must be diagnosed as early as possible.
Sudden changes in body weight. Menstruation turns brown if a woman loses weight dramatically through fasting or increased exercise. A similar deviation occurs with beriberi, lack of iron in the body. A sharp increase in body weight is also fraught with a violation of the menstrual cycle and the appearance of spotting instead of menstruation.
Metabolic disease as a result of diseases of the liver, intestines, pancreas and thyroid glands.
Body poisoning food or industrial toxins, alcohol, nicotine.
stressful situations, neuropsychiatric diseases. They affect the production of hormones and lead to changes in the nature of menstruation. Stress can be the result of injury, illness, poor lifestyle choices.
Surgical operations(abortion, caesarean section, partial removal of the uterus). Such operations lead to disruption of the hormonal processes in the body. Therefore, after them, the first menstruation may be scarce, and their color may be brownish-brown. If there are no complications, then after some time the nature of menstruation is restored.
Note: Brown discharge instead of menstruation and deviations in the cycle may be the result of improper development of the genital organs in a woman or their damage during childbirth.
Infectious diseases and inflammatory processes in the organs of the genitourinary system. The defeat of latent infections (Trichomonas, gonococci, gardnerella, genital herpes viruses and others), as well as inflammation of the organs as a result of the reproduction of the fungus, streptococci, staphylococci lead to disruption of the ovaries. This affects the course of cyclic processes associated with the appearance of menstruation.
Hormonal disorders. As a result of taking hormonal drugs, the use of birth control pills, the intrauterine device, the ratio of sex hormones is disturbed. If the level of estrogen drops significantly, then menstruation is delayed, and their intensity decreases until the appearance of smearing brown discharge. The causes of hormonal disorders are diseases of the endocrine system, emotional overload, lack of sexual life, violation of the breastfeeding regime, abortion.
Addition: Brown periods may occur due to the use of certain drugs, such as antidepressants, which cause bleeding disorders.
Video: Discharge in early pregnancy
When to See a Doctor
You should not postpone a visit to the gynecologist in the following cases:
- When brownish discharge appears not only on the days of menstruation, but also continues during the next week. This can be a sign of serious diseases: cervical erosion, ovarian cysts, endometritis (endometrial growth), endometriosis (inflammation of the uterine epithelium), fibroids or cancer.
- Brown discharge has a greenish tint, smells unpleasant. At the same time, there are pains in the lower abdomen, itching in the vagina, pain when urinating. Such symptoms are typical for sexually transmitted diseases.
- Brown discharge appears with a possible pregnancy and indicates the threat of its interruption.
You should urgently call a doctor if during menstruation with brown discharge the body temperature rises, there are pulling pains in the ovaries and in the lower back. This condition indicates the presence of an inflammatory disease of the ovaries (oophoritis).
What to do if brown discharge appears instead of menstruation
First of all, a woman needs to take a pregnancy test. The doctor recommends taking a blood test for coagulability, hemoglobin content, and hormones. When using hormonal contraceptives, you will need to choose a more suitable remedy with the help of a gynecologist. During the examination, a swab is taken from the vagina to determine the type of infectious agents. Ultrasound is done to detect inflammation or tumors. If such discharge appears in a woman after 40 years, then she is recommended to take hormone replacement therapy drugs.
Every woman. taking care of her health, she should monitor the discharge on “critical days”. Such observations will help her respond in a timely manner to the onset of the disease in the reproductive organs and start treatment in a timely manner.
Usually, the cleansing of the uterus from the fruitful layer for the adoption and development of the fetus is accompanied by the same bleeding as any other injury to the skin of the body. But if the color of menstruation is brown, then you should contact the antenatal clinic for an examination.
Perhaps, during such an examination, an onset disease will be detected, which can lead to negative consequences. About what ailments can be identified in this case, we will talk in this article.
Maternal body of a woman
Every woman on our planet is originally meant to give birth to children. Nature endowed the fair sex with special organs for carrying the fetus for 9 months after the fertilization of the egg.
If conception did not occur, then the uterus gets rid of the layer that specifically lines its internal cavity to create favorable conditions for the development of the child.
During such a restructuring of the body, spotting and part of the epithelium are released in the form of clots from the vagina. As a rule, they have a scarlet or dark red color.
Many women experience the following symptoms on “critical” days:
- aching pain in the lower abdomen
- weakness throughout the body
- nausea
- pain can be felt in the lumbar region, head
- increased sensitivity to touch
- increased reaction of the organs of smell, vision to irritating factors
All this is caused by hormonal changes throughout the body during the completion of the menstrual cycle.
On such days, you can watch your body, which can signal the onset of the disease. One of these signs may indicate an illness, if, for example, a woman has a brown menstruation and an unpleasant odor has been added to this.
Is it worth going to the doctor
You should definitely be wary in such cases if:
- became meager discharge
- the color of the discharge does not look like the usual shades of fresh blood or its clots
- there was an unpleasant odor
- unbearable pain in the lower abdomen and lower back
- irregularities in the menstrual cycle
It is especially worth paying attention if there is a color of menstruation brown on the first day.
Women of childbearing age should be aware that the above symptoms may indicate such ailments:
- malfunction of the ovaries or pituitary gland
- defective endometrium due to abortion
- inflammation of tissues in the urinary tract
- tuberculosis in the uterine system
- hormonal imbalance due to disruption of the endocrine system
However, there are other reasons that can lead to a change in the color of the discharge. These include:
- poorly chosen birth control pills
- pelvic organ surgery
- injuries of the female genitourinary system
- psycho-emotional stress - frequent stress, depression, irritability
- metabolic disturbances
- sudden weight loss or vice versa
- hard physical work
- during complications in the early stages of pregnancy
The main reason for the appearance of brown discharge can be established by the doctor during the examination of the female body.
What will the examination by a specialist reveal?
Perhaps everything is not as bad as you imagine, and these are just individual properties of the body. But the appeal of a woman with complaints to a gynecologist will force him to look for the main cause of this kind of discharge.
He will appoint her an examination and then come to the conclusion what factors influenced the appearance of brown shades in menstruation.
Sometimes the color of menstruation is brown with erosion of the cervix. In addition to menstrual cycles, discharge may appear between them. For example, after intercourse or visiting a gynecologist. Brown spotting sometimes appears in women of childbearing age shortly before menopause or during menopause.
In rare cases, such circumstances may indicate the norm. but this is quite rare. But do not postpone the appeal to the gynecologist and undergo an examination of the cervix for the presence of precancerous pathologies. Although for young women, they may indicate precisely the presence of erosion on the cervix.
It is imperative to pay a visit to the antenatal clinic doctor if brown discharge appeared after such recent events:
- birth of a child
- postponed abortion
- treated for cervical inflammation
- hormonal disorders have been identified
Please note that in the presence of cervical erosion, its mucosa becomes thinner and becomes a fragile, non-healing wound. During intercourse, she is injured, the blood capillaries in this place burst. All this leads to the appearance of smearing brown discharge.
Prevention of the occurrence of pathologies in the cervix
To avoid cervical cancer. caused by viral bacteria, a woman needs to have a permanent man. Otherwise, be sure to take care of safe sex with male or female type condoms. Doctors also have an opinion that it is possible to prevent neoplasms if girls from 17 to 20 years old are vaccinated against human papillomavirus.
In other cases, preventive measures are reduced to contacting doctors in cases where:
- during critical days any discomfort is felt
- recently had a birth
- surgery was performed
To avoid the appearance of erosion on the cervix will help proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, the absence of bad habits, avoiding creation and calmness in stressful situations.
Other diseases
It should be mentioned that brown periods can also indicate other serious illnesses. These include:
- endometriosis
- endometritis
- endometrial hyperplasia
- genital tuberculosis
endometriosis
This disease is quite common among women of childbearing age. It is caused by the growth of the inner layer of the uterine wall outside it. In case of non-fertilization of the egg, the upper, internal tissues are rejected and exit the uterine cavity along with the blood.
It also happens that the process of reflux of menstrual blood occurs through the tubes from the ovary into the abdominal cavity. Under such circumstances, endometrial cells tend to implant in tissues and they begin to grow.
At the same time, the woman experiences pain in the pelvic area, and the bleeding itself intensifies. Severe discomfort is possible during bowel movements and emptying of the bladder. Painful sensations during intercourse make her avoid or even refuse them.
The feeling of such symptoms of the disease should alert the woman and speed up the trip to the doctor. In the early stages, treatment is possible with medication. But if the disease is running, then laparoscopic surgery is unlikely to be avoided.
endometritis
This disease is also accompanied by brown discharge during the "critical" days. It is characterized by the fact that the inflammatory process begins in the upper tissues of the inner lining of the uterus.
The cause of the disease is an infection that got inside the genitals during an abortion, childbirth, sexual intercourse, during treatment by a gynecologist, etc.
The main symptoms of acute endometritis are:
- temperature increase
- prolonged pain in the pelvic organs
- finding pus inside the uterus (often in older women)
It should be noted that the disease can also be chronic. With it, fever does not appear, and pain may be completely absent or not felt. Because of this course, the diagnosis of the disease is very difficult.
If a woman is diagnosed with endometritis, then the doctor uses broad-spectrum antibiotics to treat the disease.
endometrial hyperplasia
With this ailment, the color of the discharge during menstruation can also be very different from normal. It is caused by a benign growth of the mucous membrane inside the uterus, which acquires a large volume. Stromal and glandular elements of the endometrium can provoke cell growth.
Such a disease is detected in girls during puberty and is caused by the action of hormones. But in women during menopause, this disease is also detected quite often. However, all women are susceptible to this disease, regardless of their age.
important symptoms of the disease. which should immediately speed up the appeal to doctors are the following:
- lack of normal menstruation
- color of menstruation brown, black, etc.
- secretions are expelled in clots
This disease is secretive without the manifestation of pain, but its main danger threatens infertility. To be treated with hysteroscopy with curettage and further use of hormonal drugs.
genital tuberculosis
A very unpleasant disease and also infectious. Harmful microorganisms that cause illness can be introduced into the pelvic organs from the primary affected organ: lung, intestines, etc. first, the focus arises there and then from them the bacteria make their way into the reproductive organs.
The disease is detected most often in women 20-30 years old, sometimes in elderly women. Manifestations are irregular periods and infertility. Pulling painful sensations may occur, since hypoxia of internal tissues occurs, damage to nerve endings, etc.
The doctor sends the patient for examination for tuberculin test. When the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment is carried out in specialized clinics in a complex manner.
How is the examination
To identify the cause of the appearance of brown menstruation, you need to come for an examination to a gynecologist. When examined on a gynecological chair with the help of special mirrors and an instrument, the doctor examines the protruding part of the cervix and vaginal fornix.
If necessary, swabs are taken from the surface of the cervix and cervical canal.
In cases where the examination reveals a lesion of deep tissues, colposcopy is used, according to the results of which the specialist will find the cause of the disease. Material for a biopsy is taken from the affected areas when such factors are detected during the examination of the female genital organs:
- iodine-negative zones
- acetowhite epithelium
- erosion
- dysplasia
- mosaics
- for suspected cancer
Any deviation from the norm will need laboratory tests to make a correct diagnosis. Based on their results, the doctor will try to prescribe the most effective treatment method.
Where to look for answers to your questions
You can find many questions on the women's forums about the reasons for your brown discharge. The most typical of these are the following queries:
- During the last "critical" days, I had painless, scanty discharge, brown? Than it can be caused?
- Why did the last time menstruation go much earlier than last time and in the form of clots of a very dark color?
On the forum, you can expect to get a very different answer. But the likelihood that it will be correct is very low. It is best to address these questions to an experienced specialist and start treatment in a timely manner. if the matter is serious enough.
It would be nice if you write down all your feelings in a diary and keep a pad with a small amount of discharge that has a brown tint to show them to the specialist at the reception.
Please note that the reasons for the appearance of menstruation are brown, which are not a gynecological disease. there may also be:
- long break from sex life
- influence of age
- hormonal disruptions in diseases of the endocrine system
- metabolic disease
- frequent diets
- nervous breakdowns, stress
- adverse changes in ecology and climate in the area of residence
- poisoning
But even if the impact of these factors is too obvious, you should not avoid visiting a gynecologist so that in case of inflammatory processes in the pelvic area, you can start treatment in a timely manner.
Women who have questions about the causes of brown periods should contact an experienced specialist so as not to miss valuable time for the prevention and treatment of diseases in the early stages.
They must understand that only high personal responsibility can preserve their full health and avoid infertility. Don't be afraid to see a gynecologist if you want to experience the full joy of motherhood.
About identifying the causes of infertility - on the video:
brown periods
Interesting off topic video:
Why are periods brown?
The norm for a woman who is of reproductive age is the presence of menstruation every month. Menstrual discharge, bloody in nature, with a specific odor, red in color, possibly the presence of blood clots - are the norm. In the uterus, the process of detachment of the endometrium - the mucous membrane occurs. The duration of menstruation can be from 3 to 7 days, respectively, with a repetition every 21-35th day.
It happens that sometimes or it happens constantly, a woman may observe a brown discharge instead of normal menstrual blood. What is the reason for this color change? There are many such factors, but some are quite harmless to health, while others can adversely affect women's health.
If the period is brown, what does it mean?
In the second half of the menstrual cycle, the hormonal background of a woman changes in favor of progesterone. Immediately after ovulation, you can notice how the vaginal discharge changes. They become thick, white or yellowish in color. Every woman notices their abundant number. Along with this, the state of the inner layer of the uterus changes. It thickens significantly, the structure becomes loose. The body is preparing for the implantation of a fertilized egg, even if there was no conception. But after a week, the body understands that there will be no pregnancy, it begins to prepare for menstruation. A few days before her, a woman observes pain in the lower abdomen. The uterus uses inactive muscles to shed the unused layer of the endometrium. Along with this, little by little blood is released. Brown periods are the harbinger of menstruation. After 1-2 days, a full-fledged discharge of blood begins.
If this does not happen, brown daub is present for more than 4 days, which means that a hormonal failure has occurred in the body. Several variations:
- Progesterone remains high, preventing normal menstruation.
- Progesterone was low in the second phase of the cycle. Menses cannot start. The endometrial layer could not form fully. There is simply nothing to dislike.
Brown periods always means hormonal failure. Minor changes cause menstruation with initial daub, significant - the absence of a full menstruation or a dysfunctional pregnancy.
What indicates a violation of menstruation?
When a woman begins to observe the following changes in herself, she should go to see a gynecologist:
- instead of normal menstruation, brown discharge;
- violations in the cycle (long or too short periods);
- menstruation begins, but they are brown with clots;
- brown daub;
- bad smell.
Also, towards the end of menstruation, you may experience:
- secretions are reduced;
- darker shade.
If you observe dark brown discharge instead of menstruation, this is a deviation from the norm. Consult a doctor!
Also, such allocations are divided into two groups:
- Instead of menstruation - a small amount of dark-colored discharge.
- Instead of menstruation - discharge with the presence of clots.
Signs that may accompany brown discharge
- tormented by a headache;
- an unpleasant feeling of nausea;
- drawing pain in the lower back;
- pain that is localized in the lower abdomen.
The main causes of brown discharge
- Pregnancy.
When a girl wants to get pregnant, while she naturally does not protect herself, and there is a delay in menstruation, but after a couple of days she observes brown discharge, after a few more days, menstruation occurs, normal - this indicates a hormonal failure. It happens during pregnancy, when the embryo begins implantation in the walls of the uterus, a spotting discharge may occur instead of normal menstruation. In this case, you should take a pregnancy test.
When the test result turned out to be positive, while spotting occurs, remember, this is not the norm. It can be assumed that there are very few hormones in the body that support pregnancy. The days when a woman supposedly had to have a period are dangerous for the baby, the threat of losing a child is high.
An ectopic pregnancy is another factor that provokes brown discharge instead of menstruation. - Endometriosis.
This disease is characterized by changes in the growth of the endometrium, namely, it grows beyond the walls of the uterus. - Endometritis.
Inflammation that occurs in the uterus. Often, endometritis can cause infections that have entered the uterus. In addition to brown discharge, the disease is accompanied by fever, pain in the lower abdomen, aching in nature. - The use of contraceptives by a woman (hormonal).
When contraceptives (tablet form) are chosen incorrectly, this can cause brown discharge instead of menstruation. When such discharge is observed for 3-4 months, consult a doctor and he will help you choose the right ones for you. Among other things, the slightest disruption in the hormonal background of a woman can be accompanied by a change in menstrual irregularities. - hyperplasia of the endometrium.
Growth of the endometrium, which is benign. - Inflammatory diseases.
- When a woman was exposed to low temperatures. she became cold, and she had a brown daub instead of menstruation - evidence of inflammation of the genital organs.
- Infections that are transmitted through sexual intercourse.
Perhaps the woman had sexual contact, and he was unprotected, and besides this, in addition to the discharge, she is worried: painful urination, itching - maybe she has an infection that was transmitted during sexual intercourse. - Unstable emotional state (stress).
- Injury to the genitals.
- A sharp weight loss, or vice versa, an increase.
- Physical exercise.
- Operational interventions.
- Tuberculosis (genital).
Often occurs after the entry of mycobacteria from the external environment to the genitals, and, accordingly, further. Usually accompanying symptoms are failures in the cycle, infertility.
Brown discharge in a woman after childbirth
At this time, various changes take place in the body of the woman in labor. After pregnancy, everything returns to normal, including menstruation. Remember, not all women begin to menstruate regularly. The nature of menstruation does not remain unchanged. If a woman's periods were profuse, then after childbirth, instead of menstruation, there may be brown discharge, which is considered the norm. But do not neglect the advice of a gynecologist, this, in turn, will exclude the possible onset of another disease.
How does age affect the color of menstruation?
Girls who are just starting their period, and the cycle is not constant, brown discharge is possible instead of menstruation. This can happen for 2 years after the start, and is considered the norm. If it continues for longer, you need to see a doctor.
When a woman is in the premenopausal period, changes in the color of menstruation are also possible. This is due to a decrease in female hormones in the body, as well as the ovaries cease to perform their reproductive function.
Diagnostic methods
With such a deviation from the norm, there are many methods. The main ones are:
- ultrasound.
It is necessary to examine the female reproductive system, as well as the kidneys. To exclude possible pathologies. - To exclude possible neoplasms in the pituitary gland or ovaries, an MRI is performed.
- Diagnostic curettage of the uterine cavity.
- Thyroid examination.
After Duphaston, scanty brown periods
In most cases, the delay in menstruation is associated with an insufficient amount of progesterone in the second phase. Then doctors prescribe a synthetic substitute for it. Such a drug is Duphaston. Tablets are drunk every day, the duration of treatment is determined by the doctor. The hormonal background of a woman changes gradually. Against this background, brown discharge appears. They may be present for the entire period of treatment, appear at the end of therapy, after the completion of taking the pills. In the first case, brown discharge means an unstable hormonal background, in the second and third, they are harbingers of menstruation.
Dark brown period on the first day
The situation is quite natural. Blood cannot rush out all at once. Allocations appear gradually. The endometrial layer is also partially rejected. The dark color of the discharge is coagulated blood. A small amount of it, under the influence of oxygen and the microflora of the vagina, quickly folds. Takes on a brown tint. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. A woman can prepare properly for critical days. Buy hygiene products, plan your time, adjust your plans for the near future. Especially if the menstrual cycle is unstable. Discharge of the same color appears at the end of menstruation.
Brown menses with clots
Clots in the menstrual flow are nothing more than particles of the endometrium, which are gradually shed. In blood secretions, they are always noticeable, but the woman does not particularly pay attention to them. If the menstrual flow itself has changed color, the situation is alarming.
Brown discharge is always scanty. The cause of menstrual irregularities is hormonal imbalance. The situation can unfold in two directions.
- In the second phase, there is not enough progesterone, the uterus cannot form a full layer of the endometrium. As a result, it turns out thin. When the time of critical days comes, there are few blood secretions, they quickly coagulate, but the endometrium is still rejected. Then brown discharge with clots appears.
- There is too much progesterone in the second phase. The endometrial layer is so thick. That the sexual organ cannot get rid of it. There is a brown daub with particles of the endometrium. In such cases, after a few days of meager discharge, profuse bleeding appears.
In the presence of brown discharge with clots, it is necessary to make sure that there is no pregnancy, since pregnancy can become the cause of a hormonal imbalance.
Method for treating brown discharge
The main thing in therapy aimed at treatment is the determination of the reasons why this deviation occurs. They also need to be eliminated in order to avoid further consequences. Women who suffer from menstrual irregularities should eat well. The diet should include protein foods, a wide variety of vegetables, fruits. Do not deny yourself a good rest and healthy sleep.
If diseases are identified for which brown menstruation is one of the symptoms, it is advisable to consult related specialists (endocrinologist, nutritionist, and others).
The appointment of hormone therapy, a method of treatment for hormonal failures. If the problem is with psychological health - antidepressants.
There are a lot of folk tips, they are called to help restore the normal nature of menstruation. But they are all aimed at ensuring that the right amount of useful substances, as well as vitamins, enters the woman's body.
Do not exclude seafood, fish, meat, vegetables, greens from your diet. Walking in the fresh air, playing sports will also be useful. Of course, this should not be overdone. Avoid possible stress, more positive emotions, pleasant moments.
It is worth remembering that brown discharge instead of normal menstruation is still a deviation from the norm, you need to urgently consult a doctor.
It is not worth it to study the causes on your own. Also, you should not resort to self-medication, because this can lead to disastrous consequences for a woman who plans children in the future, takes care of her health. The only way she can help herself is to take full care of her body, not to miss scheduled examinations by a gynecologist. A woman must follow these rules, regardless of age.
Brown menstruation makes women pay attention to their health. But sometimes not everything is as bad as it might seem at first.
Remember, your health depends only on you, and timely diagnosed and treated failures in the menstrual cycle will make it possible to enjoy the happiness of motherhood.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE FIBROUS, CYST, INFERTILITY OR OTHER DISEASE?
- You suffer from sudden pains in your abdomen.
- And long, chaotic and painful periods are already pretty tired.
- You don't have enough endometrium to get pregnant.
- Brown, green, or yellow discharge.
- And the recommended medicines for some reason are not effective in your case.
- In addition, constant weakness and ailments have already firmly entered your life.
An effective remedy for the treatment of endometriosis, cysts, fibroids, unstable menstrual cycles and other gynecological diseases exists. Follow the link and find out what the chief gynecologist of Russia recommends to you
(function (w, d, o, t)
What does the appearance of brown discharge during menstruation mean?
It is important to know! There is an effective remedy for the treatment of GYNECOLOGICAL problems! .
Often, women and girls may experience brown discharge during menstruation. The girl becomes a little older and moves on to a new life stage when her first menstruation begins. When the cycle is fully established, this phenomenon will wait for the girl every month, hence the name. What discharge is considered normal? They should be red in color, with a slight odor, possibly the release of blood clots.
Menstruation lasts differently for each girl, but in general, the cycle ranges from 3 to 6 days. It happens that along with menstrual blood, brown discharge is also noticed, just dark discharge, and not only young girls, but also adult women are worried about this. They begin to think and look for what is wrong with them. Some may even begin to panic about this and become seriously worried. To avoid this, you need to clearly know in which case such a phenomenon is considered normal, and in which it is worth alerting.
Why does blood turn brown during menstruation? This phenomenon must be considered individually in each case. This takes into account the woman's age, her participation or non-participation in sexual intercourse, their regularity; the presence of any chronic or hereditary diseases; whether there were facts of surgical intervention in her body, sexually transmitted diseases; whether a woman gave birth at least once in her life, whether she breast-fed a child.
1 External triggers
Some external factors can affect the flow of menstruation and cause dark discharge.. It is rare for a woman to have an organism that works like a clock and there are no disruptions in the menstrual cycle, the blood is always bright red and is not at all bothered by extraneous discharge.
If climatic conditions and time zones change too often, then in most cases this causes disruptions in the menstrual cycle and the appearance of brown discharge. Therefore, if a woman is forced to make frequent long-distance business trips or simply travels a lot, then she should keep in mind that this can happen to her and know a reasonable explanation for this phenomenon.
Strong physical activity affects menstruation. This applies not only to lifting weights, but also to sports training in any kind of sport - for example, volleyball or even ballroom dancing. A lot of professional athletes say that they observe problems with the cycle during the competition, when they have to do a lot and intensively. Of course, a healthy lifestyle and exercise is incredibly positive for any person. Therefore, if a woman goes in for sports and she has such problems, then in no case should you give up such activities.
If such a condition is associated only with this factor, there is nothing to worry about, the body will eventually get used to and adapt. But, if delays in menstruation and discharge are accompanied by pain or are otherwise disturbing, you should consult a doctor. Perhaps he will give advice not to do such intense training, or to change this sport to some other one that is more suitable for the female body and does not require so much effort.
Taking medications also affects menstruation. First of all, this applies to contraceptive pills based on hormones. Only a doctor should prescribe them, based on the individual characteristics of each woman, but not the woman herself. However, even if there are some problems with the cycle, then this is a temporary phenomenon. If after a few months the cycle has not returned to normal, you need to go back to the doctor and tell him the complaints again about the brown discharge.
The state of nervous stress and experiencing too vivid emotions can adversely affect the course of the menstrual cycle in a woman. This happens even when a woman or girl experiences too much joyful emotions, for example, when she gets married or when she graduates from school or university. If this happens once, then there is nothing wrong with that, but if emotions interfere with the normal course of the menstrual cycle, it is delayed for several days, then they need to be regulated in some way.
If the perineum or genital area has been damaged, you should immediately consult a doctor, as this can lead to disruptions in the menstrual cycle. This is especially true for girls, since some of them start their periods quite early, and they still remain active in their games.
In order for menstruation to pass normally, you need to eat right and balanced. This will have a positive effect on the entire body, without even taking into account women's health. You should also try to avoid all kinds of poisoning.
2 Possible pregnancy
For the treatment and prevention of problems with the menstrual cycle (amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, Opsomenorrhea, etc.) and vaginal dysbacteriosis, our readers successfully use the simple advice of the chief gynecologist Leila Adamova. Having carefully studied this method, we decided to offer it to your attention.
If a woman is sexually active, then brown discharge from the vagina after the first day of menstruation may indicate that she has a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or just pregnancy.
If a girl who plans to become pregnant and give birth to a child has a delay in the menstrual cycle, and after that brown discharge begins, this may indicate that there are some hormonal disruptions in her body. If after such discharge menstruation does not occur, then you need to think about a possible pregnancy. In order to confirm or exclude it, you need to purchase a special pregnancy test at a pharmacy and do it. Of course, the test is far from the ultimate truth, since it may well turn out to be defective. Pregnancy tests are now of high quality, but where is the guarantee that this can be said about absolutely all manufacturers of these products?
Therefore, in order to avoid any doubts, you need to go to the doctor and get tested for a special hormone that will accurately determine whether there is a pregnancy, or this condition is caused by some other factors. If pregnancy is confirmed, and before that there was brown discharge, then this indicates that the woman has a low level of the hormone progesterone. This is very dangerous for the fetus, because a miscarriage can occur during the detachment of the uterine mucosa. In this regard, you should definitely consult with your doctor.
3 Other reasons
How can the age of a woman affect the color of the discharge during menstruation? Brown discharge is often observed in teenage girls, as their cycle is just being established, and the same can be said about the hormonal background. This is especially true on the first day of menstruation and on the second. Such discharge should not cause concern, since ovulation is not possible at this age. But this should end in the first year of the formation of the menstrual cycle. If enough time has passed, and the discharge is still brown, instead of normal red, then you should consult a gynecologist.
This is also considered normal in women who are over the age of 40, at which time the function of the ovaries, and indeed the sexual function, is slowly fading away. But you don’t need to think that menopause occurs in every woman after 40. In each case, this is very individual. However, we can say with full confidence that brown discharge during menstruation in this situation should not be frightening.
4 The influence of diseases on the color of menstrual blood
If a woman is overcooled, then discharge of a very dark color may begin. almost black on the first day of menstruation. This suggests that the uterus or its appendages were damaged. At the same time, you can feel just discomfort, itching and burning in the vagina. There may be pulling pains in the lower abdomen, problems and discomfort when trying to go to the toilet in a small way. With menstruation, brown discharge will appear later.
This condition can also speak of a sexually transmitted disease.
Therefore, if the fidelity of a partner is questioned, or a woman herself often changes sexual partners, then the use of a condom is strictly necessary, since only it can prevent infection from entering the vagina. It is necessary, if possible, to exclude from your life all unprotected sexual intercourse, and ideally - to find a permanent partner, in whose fidelity you can be sure.
If something like this nevertheless penetrated into life, dark discharge appeared on the days of menstruation, then you should immediately seek help from a doctor, because then it may be too late!
And some secrets.
Have you ever experienced problems with menstrual cycle. Judging by the fact that you are reading this article, the victory was not on your side. And of course, you know firsthand what it is:
- copious or scanty discharge with clots
- chest and lower back pain
- pain during sex
- bad smell
- discomfort when urinating
Now answer the question: does it suit you? Can problems be tolerated? And how much money have you already “leaked” for ineffective treatment? That's right - it's time to end this! Do you agree? That is why we decided to publish an interview with the chief gynecologist of Russia, Leyla Adamova. in which she revealed a simple secret to the normalization of the menstrual cycle. Read article…
brown periods
What do brown periods mean?
Is brown periods normal or something to worry about? Let's figure it out. Scarlet blood is fresh. If a woman notices copious scarlet discharge in herself, this almost always means a lot of blood loss. And if these discharges began earlier than the expected days of menstruation, then almost always we are talking about breakthrough bleeding and the need for urgent medical attention.
The color of menstruation is normal - red, maroon. The blood darkens a little as it oxidizes. The fact that the blood is not scarlet indicates that the discharge lingers for some time in the uterus, vagina, that is, there is time for oxidation.
But what do brown periods say. The fact that the selection is scarce. This may be a variant of the norm if a woman has the 1-2nd day of menstruation or, conversely, the last 1-2 days. Rarely observed monthly brown with clots, they are usually small. At the same time, this can happen when taking hormonal contraceptives. For some women, scanty periods are normal. They are healthy, get pregnant and give birth without any problems. It is worth worrying if the total amount of blood loss for menstruation is less than 30 grams, then you should do an ultrasound of the pelvic organs and take tests for hormones. But only if it is observed outside of taking contraceptives.
Brown periods after a delay or, conversely, very heavy discharge are often observed in adolescent girls while the menstrual cycle is established. And it lasts up to two years after menarche (first menstruation).
You can also consider brown discharge instead of menstruation as a sign of a possible pregnancy. Naturally, those women who had unprotected intercourse. But without fanaticism. If the test showed a negative result, then for sure there is no pregnancy. Brown periods on the first day are the norm for many women. Now such modern diagnostic tests are being sold that do not make mistakes and show the correct result even a little before the onset of a delay in menstruation. A weak second line should be considered as a positive result.
Spotting brown discharge can be with an ectopic and missed pregnancy. Signs of an ectopic pregnancy at first are a weak increase in hCG. This is very clearly seen on a blood test taken in dynamics. And some women notice this when they take pregnancy tests. When the second, control strip, indicating pregnancy, does not become brighter with repeated tests. But the second method is considered unreliable. The main thing is that the ultrasound does not show a fetal egg with a sufficiently high level of hCG. In the area of the fallopian tube, if the fetal egg is implanted in it, there may be pain. If nothing is done, everything ends with a rupture of the fallopian tube and an emergency operation. And it's good if everything works out.
If brown periods occur during a pregnancy that has ceased to develop, it is no longer so scary. Although, if you delay with curettage, the removal of the fetal egg from the uterus, an inflammatory process may occur. Signs of a missed pregnancy are the absence of an increase in hCG or even its decrease. The embryo does not have a heartbeat, this can be seen with ultrasound. Subjective signs - toxicosis disappears, the chest becomes softer.
Non-pregnancy reasons why menstruation is brown is a lack of weight. When a girl is too thin, too few hormones are produced in her body. This requires, among other things, adipose tissue, which in this case is not enough. Menstruation may disappear altogether. The girl is infertile. The situation is normalized with weight gain to normal.
Changes in the nature of menstruation after childbirth. Especially if the woman is breastfeeding. In this case, menstruation may be completely absent. And some women get brown periods after giving birth, which is sometimes a surprise. In this case, it is necessary to check for pregnancy. It can occur even before the arrival of the first menstruation after childbirth. Even if a woman breastfeeds her baby often, on demand.
Interesting off topic video:
Can my period be brown on the first day?
Health should be treated in a balanced way. It is important not to worry too much about the little things, but also not to turn a blind eye to symptoms that may seem minor at first.
Each girl is obliged to monitor the course of the menstrual cycle - its duration, volume of discharge and other indicators. If, unexpectedly, instead of the usual bleeding on the first day of menstruation, a woman observes brown discharge, the question arises: “What is this? Is it just a minor detail or something to seriously worry about?
Normal pattern of menstruation
Each woman may have her own characteristics with regard to the cycle. You should not consider a factor as a problem if it distinguishes you, for example, from your girlfriend. Some characteristics are the same for all healthy women.
Normal periods should:
- Be red;
- Have no smell;
- Have a discharge volume of about 30-60 ml per day.
If a woman notices brown discharge on the first day of her period, then something is definitely happening in the body. Serious or not? Should I see a doctor or wait for the next menstruation to observe their character?
Let's try to figure out the reasons that can provoke the appearance of brown discharge during menstruation. Let's talk about what can be done.
Some reasons and your actions
If brown discharge began on the first day of menstruation, you should not panic, but analyze some of the reasons by which such a change can be caused.
- Pregnancy. In a situation where a woman has regular sex and does not use contraception, pregnancy is a very likely factor. In this case, menstruation may be delayed and after some time, discharge may appear, taken for menstruation. In this case, brown discharge may indicate the completed conception and the fixation of the embryo in the endometrium of the uterus. To make sure of this, it is worth buying a pregnancy test. Perhaps you are an expectant mother. Whether this is a cause for concern or not is up to you.
- Ectopic pregnancy. If brown discharge on the first day of menstruation is accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen, this can be dangerous. Whether the fears are confirmed or not, the abnormal color of the discharge and pain are symptoms that are more than enough for a visit to the doctor. An ectopic pregnancy can be fatal, so you should not hesitate to act.
- Big loads. Many women for a certain time are constantly subject to overwork. This can lead to a number of menstrual irregularities. If on the first day of menstruation the color of the discharge differs from the usual, then the reason for this may be precisely an overly active lifestyle. If a woman has a habit of traveling a lot, hiking and getting adrenaline in various ways, then this pleasure should be limited. The body makes it clear that such a load is not “up to it”. Any severe or prolonged stress can cause brown discharge on the first day of menstruation. In this case, it will not be superfluous to contact a specialist and start using sedatives.
- Taking medications. If your period has just begun, and you observe brown discharge, then this may be caused by taking certain medications. It is worth analyzing the situation. Since the discharge has changed its character for the first time, have you started using any medications since the last menstruation? Many women who wanted to become slimmer started taking diet pills. This led to malfunctions in the reproductive system and instead of the usual discharge on the first day of menstruation, they received brown marks on the linen. For a while, stop taking new drugs and consult with a specialist - an excellent solution that can help establish normal menstruation.
- Hormonal birth control. If you have recently started taking new hormonal pills to prevent pregnancy, then your period may begin with an unusual, brown discharge. The body gets used to the drugs for a certain period and soon the menstruation will become habitual. If the discharge of a dark color does not stop, then you need to see a doctor.
When does discharge indicate illness?
Sometimes the appearance of brown discharge on the first day of menstruation may indicate the development of severe diseases of the genital organs. In such cases, health is at great risk. To avoid the sad consequences, noticing something wrong in the body, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is better to be overly cautious than to pay for self-confidence with your life. What diseases can menstruation brown tint?
- endothermite. So called inflammatory processes occurring in the uterus. With this disease, brown vaginal discharge can be seen by a woman not only on the first day of menstruation, but throughout the entire menstrual cycle.
- endometritis. The disease occurs due to the growth of cells of the inner layer of the uterus in the muscle tissue of the organ.
- The occurrence of uterine polyps. This disease is provoked by inflammatory processes and hormonal disorders. In this case, the mucous membrane of the organ suffers. Dark brown discharge can be one of the symptoms of the development of this disease.
- polycystic ovary syndrome. This disease can make a woman infertile. If brown discharge on the first day of menstruation bothers you for more than the first cycle, you should urgently go to the gynecologist for an examination.
Consultation of specialists is mandatory in almost all cases when brown discharge appears during menstruation, instead of the usual bleeding. Most often, this phenomenon indicates violations in the body. Now consider situations in which dark discharge is not a cause for undue concern.
How old are you?
In girls, the nature of menstruation can change from month to month. This trend continues for a year after menahre (first menstruation). Given the constant hormonal changes in a maturing body, you should not overreact to the appearance of brown discharge instead of normal monthly bleeding.
No need to be too puzzled and women aged 38-45 years, when the period of perimenopause comes. At this time, the body also undergoes significant changes. The menstrual cycle becomes unstable, and menstruation comes "once every other time." The appearance of dark discharge may be the result of a hormonal imbalance characteristic of this age.
In any case, do not be too self-confident. If dark brown discharge on the first day of menstruation continues for a long period and is accompanied by additional unpleasant symptoms, you can’t hesitate to visit a gynecologist!
Sources:
If the first day of menstruation began with brown discharge, this can be both an indicator of the norm and a sign of serious violations in the woman's reproductive system. A regular menstrual cycle is a very important indicator of health, which, however, can be influenced by various external factors.
It is very important to find out the reasons for the dark discharge on the first day of menstruation, otherwise even the most competent and experienced gynecologist will not be able to help the patient solve her problem.
Physiological causes
So why is there brown discharge on the first day of menstruation, and is it dangerous for a woman's health? Before panicking, a woman should remember that conditionally the causes of such a phenomenon can be divided into 2 groups: physiological and pathological. In parallel, certain external factors can also have a negative impact on the functioning of the reproductive system.
Therefore, if dark brown discharge has gone on the first day of menstruation, this may not be related to the presence of pathological processes. Often such a “frightening” phenomenon has purely physiological reasons.
More about the causes of daubing and discharge before menstruation >>
At the beginning of menstruation, the uterine endometrium is strongly affected by sex hormones. Under their influence, it is actively rejected, and the uterus secretes a rather large amount of menstrual blood, which contains dark, brown clots.
These secretions are nothing more than her internal mucous layer, so a woman should not be frightened or worried - her internal genital organs are working normally and are completely healthy.
If the menstrual flow is brown on its own and there are no blood clots, this may indicate that there is too little blood and it oxidizes and coagulates before the vagina has time to secrete it. But such a phenomenon is considered normal on the last, and not on the first day of menstruation. And although it does not always speak of pathologies of the organs of the reproductive system, nevertheless, it should not be ignored. Consultation of a qualified gynecologist will never be superfluous!
The most common factors
If brown discharge appeared on the first day of the onset of menstruation, this may be due to:
- experienced stress or nervous shocks;
- excessively intense physical activity;
- recent diseases (moreover, they may not be related to the organs of the reproductive system);
- uncontrolled use of medications;
- age-related changes;
- "colored" pregnancy;
- postpartum period;
- hormonal disorders;
- anomalies in the structure of the uterus.
In this case, a woman can immediately identify several reasons why dark discharge could go on the first day of the onset of menstruation. Often, special treatment is not required - it is necessary to understand why the failure occurred and eliminate the factor that provoked it.
COC as a cause of brown menstrual flow
If on the first day of menstruation brown discharge occurs for several months, and at the same time the woman takes oral hormonal contraceptives, the reason is clear: it was the birth control pills that caused the occurrence of such an anomaly.
In addition, the menstrual cycle may fail, which is also due to the effect of hormones contained in tablet preparations aimed at preventing unwanted pregnancy.
But we should not forget that the occurrence of brown discharge during menstruation, due to COCs, is permissible only during the first 3 months from the start of their use. If the anomaly has become a constant companion, it cannot be ignored - you need to consult a doctor.
Brown menstrual flow may also appear after the installation of an intrauterine device. It has the property of retaining menstrual blood inside the uterus, which leads to its darkening and thickening.
Age changes
Brown discharge on the first day of menstruation is often observed in young girls who have just begun menarche. Moreover, this phenomenon does not last 2-3 months - it can continue for 1-2 years. And this is absolutely normal, because the girl's body is growing up, and the hormonal background is gradually getting better. Consequently, there are fluctuations in the levels of estrogen and progesterone - the main female sex hormones.
The eve of menopause also cannot but affect the work of the organs of the reproductive system. This also applies to the nature of menstrual flow. With a decrease in the hormone-producing function of the ovaries, when the level of estrogen is constantly falling, on the first day of the onset of menstruation, a woman may have brown blood. Sometimes it may not stand out at all.
The onset of pregnancy
If a woman has brown discharge, this may be a sign of pregnancy. However, their presence is permissible only at the beginning of this period, when the fetal egg is attached to the wall of the uterus. In this case, the day of the onset of menstruation does not play a role. But if brown discharge appeared exactly when menstruation should have come (according to the schedule), besides, they are quite intense (during pregnancy they are spotty and scarce), this should be the reason for an immediate appeal to the gynecologist. Such an anomaly threatens miscarriage.
Brown discharge, reminiscent of menstruation, can also appear during an ectopic pregnancy. This is an extremely dangerous condition that requires mandatory medical intervention, otherwise the consequences can be extremely serious.
Brown periods in the postpartum period
If after childbirth on the first day of menstruation brown discharge appears, you should not worry - the body gradually returns to the full performance of its functions, which were previously in a "sleepy" state. First of all, it concerns the work of the reproductive system.
Intensive changes in the hormonal balance begin, in addition, the prolonged absence of menstruation also has a significant effect on the color and intensity of the discharge.
Anomalies in the structure of the reproductive organ
Brown discharge at the beginning of menstruation is a fairly common occurrence in the presence of deviations in the structure of the uterus. It may occur with:
- hypoplasia;
- saddle-shaped uterus;
- unicornuate or bicornuate uterus.
So, violations of the normal structure of the reproductive organ lead to the fact that the blood and endometrial areas cannot fully reach the vagina and remain in the uterine cavity. This explains not only the appearance of dark-colored secretions on the first day of menstruation, but also their scarcity. Sometimes menstrual blood can even acquire a black tint, and this should seriously alert a woman. Anomalies in the structure of the uterus can not only cause darkening of the discharge during menstruation, but also lead to more serious and dangerous consequences.
Excessive weight loss
In women who are overly fond of diets, brown discharge in the first days of menstruation is a common thing.
This phenomenon also occurs in girls who deplete their body with unbearable physical exertion aimed at reducing body weight.
Sudden weight loss turns on the body's defense reaction, since too intense bleeding during menstruation can cause serious harm to a woman. Under such conditions, the periods will be brown, spotting, scanty, and sometimes they may not come at all.
Read more about scanty discharge and daub instead of menstruation >>
Dark discharge in gynecological diseases
Often, brown discharge at the beginning of the menstrual cycle appears due to the development of various gynecological diseases. If the matter is really in the presence of pathological processes, one should not hesitate: many of them can lead to extremely serious consequences (cancer, infertility, damage to neighboring organs, etc.).
The most common diseases associated with the reproductive system that can cause brown discharge on the first day of menstruation include:
- Endometritis. This pathology is characterized by the development of an inflammatory process in the epithelial tissues lining the mucous layer of the uterus (endometrium). As a result, dark menstrual discharge occurs, which has an unpleasant odor.
- Endometriosis. This pathology is characterized by the growth of the mucous layer of the uterus - the endometrium. As a rule, brown vaginal discharge appears not only on the first, but also on any other day of the menstrual cycle.
- Uterine polyposis can also cause dark vaginal discharge.
- Inflammatory processes in the genitals can also lead to a change in the nature of menstruation.
Dark discharge during critical days may be the result of the formation of tumors in the uterus or ovaries. But to determine the causes of the anomaly on your own is not something that is difficult - it is practically unrealistic, since, as you can see, there are quite a lot of them.
To understand why dark discharge appeared on the first day of menstruation, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist and go through all the necessary procedures to make a correct diagnosis. Only a comprehensive diagnosis is the key to prescribing the right treatment and, as a result, preventing consequences that are dangerous to a woman’s health, because the menstrual cycle is a delicate system that cannot be trifled with under any circumstances!
The regularity of the menstrual cycle is the main indicator of women's health. Each representative of the weaker sex needs to control not only the start date of critical days, but also monitor their characteristics. If menstruation begins with brown discharge, both physiological and pathological changes can be assumed. This article will tell you how to distinguish these processes and when you need to seek help from a doctor.
Symptom characteristic
Normally, menstrual flow has a scarlet or dark red tint. Their volume ranges from 30 to 60 ml per day. In the early days, under the influence of hormones, the endometrium is strongly rejected, and at this time the uterus secretes the largest amount of blood, often with dark clots, which is its inner mucous layer.
The appearance of brown discharge indicates that there is little blood and it coagulates, oxidizes and darkens in the local environment before the vagina has time to secrete it. Naturally, this phenomenon is characterized at the end of menstruation, when the main part of the endometrium stood out. This is also acceptable 1 or 2 days before the critical days, which is explained by swelling and the readiness of the mucous layer to be torn off.
When the menstruation itself began with such brown discharge, we can talk about physiological changes in the woman's body. These do not always mean pathology, but you should not lose control of the situation either.
These discharges at the beginning of menstruation are scanty, often spotting, in nature and are not bleeding. They include a natural mucous secretion with an admixture of blood.
Progesterone is responsible for preparing the endometrium for conception after ovulation. It is he who, in the second half of the menstrual cycle, contributes to the compaction and loosening of this tissue, which is programmed to accept and introduce a fertilized egg into the uterus. When this does not happen, the endometrium is shed in the form of menstruation. If this does not happen, then in most situations everything indicates a hormonal disorder.
The symptom has causes of another kind:
- Transferred stresses, loads and diseases.
- Taking hormonal contraceptives and other medications.
- Age changes.
- Normal and pathological pregnancy.
- postpartum period.
- Little weight.
- Anomalies in the structure of the uterus.
- Pathologies (endometriosis, polyps, fibroids, other neoplasms, endometritis, infections).
Hormonal disorders
Failure occurs due to certain factors:
- Progesterone deficiency prevented the endometrium from forming to the right extent, because of which the latter could not prepare for rejection, or it is simply not enough for this.
- The excess of the hormone mentioned above did not allow the reproductive system to start a full menstruation.
- The lack of estrogens affected the fact that the mechanism of rejection of the endometrium did not start completely, but was indicated only by spotting during menstruation brown.
Such failures occur due to stress, which gave complications to diseases of other systems, endocrinological disorders, malnutrition and lifestyle, excessive use of drugs containing hormones, and increased stress.