Brown Discharge: 11 common causes (and what to do)

Brown discharge is normal in the last days of menstruation, due to the presence of small amounts of blood. However, it can also be a sign of endometriosis, polycystic ovaries and even sexually transmitted infections or cervical cancer.

Depending on the cause, brown discharge may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as cramps, pain during ovulation, bleeding outside the menstrual period, irregular menstruation or pain during intimate contact, for example.

It is important to consult a gynecologist whenever brown discharge appears that lasts more than 3 days or is accompanied by other symptoms, so that its cause can be identified and the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.

11 causes of brown discharge

The main causes of brown discharge are:

1. End of menstruation

It is common that in the last days of menstruation, the blood becomes darker and in smaller quantities, so that the woman may consider that she is experiencing brown discharge. This discharge is considered normal and disappears after 2 to 3 days.

What to do: As this is a normal situation, it is not necessary to undergo treatment or consult a gynecologist. However, if this discharge is persistent, increases in quantity or has a bad smell, it is important that you consult a gynecologist. Know what each color of vaginal discharge means.

2. Changing contraceptives

It is possible that after changing contraceptives, a woman may notice the appearance of brown discharge, which is the result of hormonal changes caused by this type of medication.

What to do: In this case, it is important to follow the gynecologist’s instructions on changing contraceptives, as the discharge should disappear after a few days. If the brown discharge continues, it is important that the gynecologist is consulted so that the change of contraceptive and the need to suspend or change the medication again can be assessed.

3. Cervical irritation

The cervix is ​​a very sensitive region and some simple situations, such as a Pap smear or frequent sexual contact, can cause inflammation of the uterus and, consequently, the release of brown discharge.

What to do: No specific treatment is necessary for irritation of the cervix, because the amount of secretion is small and no other symptoms are present. Keeping the area clean and dry is usually enough to control this discharge in less than 2 days. However, intimate contact should be avoided until the discharge has disappeared.

4. Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the formation of small cysts in the ovaries due to the production of a greater than normal amount of testosterone by the body, which can cause brown discharge, in addition to other symptoms such as intense colic that can occur during the period of ovulation or at any other time of the menstrual cycle, irregular menstruation, excess thick hair, weight gain and acne.

What to do: Treatment can be done with the use of the contraceptive pill to regulate menstruation and control hormonal irregularities, recommended by the gynecologist, as not just any pill can be used. Check out the teas that can help treat polycystic ovary syndrome.

5. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition that affects many women and consists of the growth of tissue from the uterus in other locations, such as the ovaries and intestine. Some of the most common symptoms include dark discharge, intense pain in the pelvic region, heavier menstruation, pain during sexual intercourse and even difficulty urinating or defecating.

What to do: Treatment for endometriosis must be well guided and adapted to each woman. For this reason, it is very important to have regular appointments with your gynecologist. Some treatment options include the use of an IUD, anti-hormone medications, or surgery. Check out the main types of treatment for endometriosis.

6. Ovarian cyst

An ovarian cyst can cause bleeding before or after menstruation, which, mixed with the woman’s natural secretions, can become a brown discharge. However, in these cases, other symptoms usually appear, such as pain during ovulation, pain during or after sexual intercourse, vaginal bleeding outside of menstruation, weight gain and difficulty getting pregnant.

What to do: Specific treatment is not always necessary, but the gynecologist may recommend the use of the contraceptive pill. In more serious cases, it may be necessary to remove the ovary to avoid further complications such as torsion of the ovary or cancer.

7. Uterine fibroid

Myoma, also called uterine fibrosis or leiomyoma, is a benign tumor that forms in the muscle of the uterus and generally does not cause symptoms, but depending on the size, location and quantity of the fibroid, the woman may have brown discharge, pain abdominal or cramping and bleeding outside the menstrual period.

What to do: a gynecologist should be consulted so that the diagnosis can be made through a physical examination and imaging, such as a transvaginal ultrasound, and the most appropriate treatment can be initiated, which can range from medical monitoring to the use of hormones or the use of a progesterone IUD. Find out more about fibroid treatment.

8. Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy, also called tubal pregnancy, occurs when the embryo develops outside the uterus, being more common in the fallopian tubes, also called uterine tubes, which can cause brown discharge, intense colic on only one side of the belly and which worsens with movement, vaginal bleeding, pain during intimate contact, dizziness, nausea, vomiting or fainting.

What to do: In the case of the presence of symptoms of tubal pregnancy, you should seek the nearest emergency room immediately so that tests can be carried out, confirm the diagnosis and begin the most appropriate treatment, which is generally carried out through surgery to remove the embryo. Find out how ectopic pregnancy is treated.

9. Sexually transmitted infections

Some sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, are also an important cause of brown discharge. These cases are more common after unprotected sexual intercourse and are usually accompanied by other symptoms such as pain when urinating, a feeling of pressure in the pelvic region or bleeding during intercourse.

What to do: Sexually transmitted infections usually need to be treated with antibiotics, so it is very important to consult a gynecologist.

10. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an inflammation that originates in the vagina and progresses, affecting the uterus, tubes and ovaries, spreading over a large pelvic area, leading to symptoms such as foul-smelling brown discharge, pain pelvic pain, pain during intimate contact or when urinating, fever and general malaise, for example.

Pelvic inflammatory disease occurs in most cases as a consequence of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that has not been properly treated, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, but it can also arise due to infection at the time of birth, introduction of contaminated objects into the vagina during masturbation or endometriosis, for example.

What to do: The treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease is done with the use of antibiotics prescribed by the gynecologist, such as azithromycin, levofloxacin or clindamycin, for example, in tablet or injection form. Furthermore, as PID is generally caused by STIs, it is recommended not to have penetrative sex until treatment has been completed. See the main treatments for pelvic inflammatory disease.

11. Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer can cause strong-smelling brown discharge and pain in the pelvic area after sexual intercourse. Check out other symptoms that may indicate uterine cancer.

What to do: In case of suspicion, you should go to the gynecologist so he can carry out tests such as pap smears and colposcopy, and check if it really could be cancer and then recommend the most appropriate treatment, which could be conization, brachytherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery to remove the uterus , depending on the tumor staging.

Could brown discharge be pregnancy?

Normally, brown discharge is not a sign of pregnancy as it is more common for, at the beginning of pregnancy, a woman to have a small pinkish discharge that indicates the implantation of the embryo in the uterus. Find out what the first signs of pregnancy may be.

However, in women who are pregnant, the release of a dark liquid similar to menstruation and brown discharge may indicate blood loss from the vagina, and this should be evaluated by the obstetrician, especially if it is accompanied by a bad smell or other symptoms such as pain. abdominal pain, itching in the vagina or heavy bleeding. This change may indicate, among other possibilities, an ectopic pregnancy or an infection.

When to go to the gynecologist

It is recommended to consult a gynecologist when brown discharge lasts more than 3 days or is accompanied by symptoms such as:

• Abdominal or pelvic pain;
• Bad-smelling brown discharge;
• Itching in the vagina or vulva;
• It is interspersed with bright red bleeding;
• Pain during intimate contact or when urinating;
• Irregular menstruation;
• Bleeding outside the menstrual period;
• Bleeding after intimate contact;
• Fever or malaise;
• Dizziness or fainting;
• Nausea or vomiting.

In these cases, the doctor will diagnose the problem by observing the discharge and using a speculum to check the inside of the vagina and cervix, recommending the most appropriate treatment.

How to avoid vaginal discharge

To prevent dark discharge, it is recommended to avoid using intimate showers, washing only the external genital region daily during the shower or after intimate contact. The panties should preferably be made of cotton so that the area is always drier, and you should also avoid wearing shorts and tight jeans because they smother the area, facilitating perspiration and the proliferation of microorganisms that cause infections.