What Could Brown Vaginal Discharge Outside of Periods Mean?

Menstruation is the expulsion of blood and tissue from the uterus through the vagina to the outside of the body. Menstrual blood is usually red, but can turn brown at the beginning or end of your period. However, you can also have brown discharge even when you are not on your period. It’s not something to worry about, but you should consider all the possible causes of this symptom.

In a chat with the OnlyMyHealth team,  Dr Sujata Datta, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist, Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeon, MRCOG, FRCOG, CCT (UK), Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, not only explains the common causes of brown vaginal discharge that is not related to menstruation, but also offers advice on when to visit a doctor. 

Read more:   Vaginal discharge guide: How to spot abnormal discharge and when to see a doctor

What causes brown discharge when you miss your period?

Brown discharge can be a cause for concern, especially if it’s close to your period. “Brown discharge can be related to the start or end of your period, but it could also be caused by hormonal changes or other conditions affecting your uterus or ovaries,” says Dr. Datta. Possible causes include:

Hormonal imbalance

One of the main causes is hormonal fluctuations, especially those related to estrogen and progesterone, which can cause irregular bleeding and appear as a brown discharge. Dr. Datta says conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), thyroid issues, and menopause can affect hormone levels, leading to irregular bleeding. So diagnosing a hormone imbalance often requires a pelvic exam, blood tests, ultrasound, and sometimes other tests based on your symptoms.

Pelvic infection

In some cases, infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia or gonorrhea, can cause inflammation of the genitals, resulting in symptoms like a brown discharge, pain, and fever.

Bleeding during early pregnancy

You may also experience irregular bleeding or a brown discharge during early pregnancy. This is because some women experience implantation bleeding, which usually occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. It’s very common. In fact, about one in four pregnant women experience implantation bleeding, according to the Cleveland Clinic. However, brown discharge during pregnancy should be discussed with your healthcare provider, as it could also be a sign of other issues, such as a risk of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.

contraception

“Hormonal contraceptives (pill, patch, implant, IUD) can also cause brown discharge, especially when you first start or change your birth control method,” says Dr. Datta.

“Certain medications, such as blood thinners, antidepressants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can also cause abnormal bleeding, including brown discharge,” she adds.

Read more:   Should you use birth control pills? Experts list the pros and cons

Uterine disease

According to doctors, abnormal growths in the uterus, such as uterine fibroids (benign tumors) or polyps, can cause abnormal bleeding that manifests as a brown discharge. In very rare cases, brown discharge can also be a sign of a more serious illness, such as uterine cancer, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, such as persistent pelvic pain or irregular periods.

When should I see a doctor?

While an occasional brown discharge may not be a cause for concern, there are some cases where you may need to seek medical attention.

“If the brown discharge is accompanied by pain, cramps, pelvic pain, fever, foul-smelling discharge, vaginal itching or burning, painful urination, or occurs at unexpected times such as outside of menstruation or bleeding after intercourse, or lasts beyond your usual menstrual period, consult a doctor,” says Dr Datta.