- Brown discharge can happen at the beginning and end of your period because the blood oxidizes.
- It can also be a sign of certain STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea or pelvic inflammatory disease.
In most cases, brown vaginal discharge is a $4 and not a cause for concern. But sometimes brown discharge can be a sign of an illness or infection that requires medical attention.
Here are six reasons for brown discharge and when to see a doctor.
1. Your period is coming or has just ended
Brown discharge at the beginning of or end of your period usually occurs because the $4 than in the middle of your period. As the blood takes more time to leave the uterus, it oxidizes, $4.
How to treat it: Brown discharge at the beginning or end of your period is $4. But if brown discharge persists for several days or weeks after your period ends or is accompanied by an unpleasant smell, itching, or burning, $4 as it could be a sign of infection.
2. Hormonal contraception
Some birth control methods like IUDs or implants that release progestin can $4.
This is more likely with birth control methods that contain $4 as a lack of estrogen can cause the lining of the uterus to shed a little at a time. And just like at the beginning or end of your period, when blood leaves the uterus slowly it $4.
How to treat it: Spotting due to hormonal contraception is not usually a cause for concern and should go away $4 after having an IUD implanted or starting a low-estrogen birth control pill. But if the spotting continues and bothers you, talk with your doctor about your options for switching to a birth control method without this side effect.
3. Sexually transmitted infections
Some sexually transmitted infections, like $4, can cause vaginal bleeding and brown discharge, says $4, GP, medical director at $4, a contraception prescription platform.
Other symptoms of chlamydia $4:
- Pain or burning during urination
- Dull pain in the lower part of your abdomen
- Painful intercourse
Other symptoms of gonorrhea $4:
- Bleeding between periods
- Painful urination
- Soreness
In some cases, you may $4 with these infections. If you are sexually active, it's important to $4 so you can receive proper treatment if you have an STI and don't realize it. Using condoms can also $4 of contracting an STI or passing the infection on to someone else.
How to treat it: Both $4 and $4 are treated with antibiotics, which can clear the infection within a couple weeks. It's important to receive proper treatment as soon as possible, as untreated STIs can cause complications, like $4.
4. Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an $4 often caused by bacteria from an untreated STI, like chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Symptoms of PID $4:
- $4
- Pain in your lower abdomen or uterus
- Fever
- Abnormal bleeding between periods
- Pain during intercourse
- Painful urination
If left untreated, PID can cause severe $4, including infertility or a fatal infection, so if you are experiencing symptoms of PID, seek medical care as soon as possible, says $4, MD, a urogynecologist at the $4.
How to treat it: PID can be treated with antibiotics, but the potential damage the disease can do to your reproductive organs can not be reversed.
5. Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in your uterus that can $4 and abnormal bleeding, Davis-Hall says.
Other symptoms of uterine fibroids $4:
- Pelvic pain during sex
- Urinary problems
- Persistent lower back pain
Uterine fibroids are $4, though in some cases they can lead to $4, like blockage of the urinary tract and infertility.
How to treat it: Treatment for uterine fibroids can vary depending on your health history and the severity of your fibroids and symptoms. Common treatment options $4:
- Hormone injections
- Hormonal birth control
- Surgery to remove the fibroids
6. Cancer
The presence of brown discharge can indicate either cervical or endometrial cancer, Kimble says. In fact, the $4 of endometrial cancer is blood in your discharge and unusual vaginal bleeding.
Other signs of endometrial cancer $4:
- Painful intercourse
- Difficult or painful urination
- Pelvic pain
Brown discharge is a $4 but can occur, Kimble says. Seek medical care If your brown discharge is accompanied by other signs of cervical cancer, $4:
- Painful intercourse
- Heavy or prolonged periods
- Bleeding between periods
- Unexplained weight loss
- Weakness and fatigue
How to treat it: Treatment for $4 or $4 cancer can vary depending on the progression of the disease and your health history. But in general, treatment can include:
- Surgery to remove cancer tissue or reproductive organs
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
Regular pap smears can help $4 of cervical cancer. And you can $4 by maintaining a healthy lifestyle of regular exercise and a nutritional diet.
Estrogen-only hormone therapy can also $4, so if you are considering $4 to treat symptoms of menopause, discuss this risk with your doctor.
7. Postmenopausal bleeding
Menopause is where a person's periods stop, usually between the ages of 45 and 55. If a person experiences vaginal bleeding a year after their period has stopped, even if it's a small amount of blood or pink or brown discharge, it could be $4. It can be a sign of cancer so it's important to get it checked out even if it happens once.
Other signs of postmenopausal bleeding include:
- Blood but $4.
How to treat it: The treatment depends on the $4. For example:
- Cervical polyps may need to be removed.
- Changing or coming off hormone replacement therapy.
- Womb or ovarian cancer can be treated with surgery.
Insider's takeaway
Brown discharge is often part of a normal menstrual cycle and may be present at the beginning or end of your period when blood leaves the uterus slowly. Spotting or brown discharge can also be a side effect of some types of hormonal birth control.
In some cases, brown discharge can be a sign of a health condition that needs medical treatment, including an STI, pelvic inflammatory disease, or cancer.
If you experience brown discharge that persists for weeks or months and is accompanied by other symptoms, like pelvic pain, an unpleasant smell, painful urination, or painful intercourse, seek medical attention.