A brownish vaginal discharge can be alarming, but it does not necessarily indicate a major health issue. The color and consistency of vaginal discharge often changes throughout the menstrual cycle and can vary from woman to woman. Learning the possible causes of brown discharge and when to see a doctor can help identify if treatment is needed.
Normal Vaginal Discharge
Vaginal discharge is a combination of fluids and cells continuously secreted by glands in the cervix and vaginal walls. The components of normal discharge include:
- Water to cleanse and moisturize the vagina
- Mucus produced by glands in the cervix
- Vaginal fluid made by Bartholin’s glands near the vaginal opening
- Shedding of cells from the vaginal walls
This discharge starts off white or clear in color. As it mixes with body cells and bacteria in the vagina, the discharge takes on a mild odor. The smell, color, and amount changes depending on a woman’s age, menstrual cycle, and overall health.
Typical Vaginal Discharge Variations
Premenstrual – More discharge that is thick, sticky, and cloudy white due to higher estrogen levels before a period. This can also have a yeasty smell.
Ovulation – An increase in thin, watery, and stretchy discharge that is clear or slightly white. This occurs around ovulation due to elevated estrogen.
Postmenstrual – Discharge returns to being thinner, lighter, and not as abundant after menstruation ends.
During menopause – Lower estrogen causes discharge to decrease and become thinner.
When Discharge Indicates a Problem
While some variations in discharge are normal, certain changes could require medical attention:
- Thick white discharge resembling cottage cheese signals a yeast infection.
- Gray, green, or yellow discharge with a foul smell indicates bacterial vaginosis.
- Foamy, yellow-green discharge with an unpleasant odor can mean trichomoniasis, a common STD.
- Bleeding between periods along with increased discharge can indicate an STI like chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Seeing a doctor can determine if medication is needed to treat an infection causing abnormal discharge.
What Causes Brown Discharge?
A brown color in vaginal discharge might result from:
1. Old Blood
Discharge may turn brown when blood ages in the cervix or vagina. Possible causes include:
- Perimenopause – Irregular periods and unpredictible ovulation cause more blood to accumulate.
- Birth control – Hormonal contraceptives like the pill can lead to light brown spotting between periods.
- Vaginal injury – After sex, a pelvic exam, or exercise that causes irritation.
- Cervical polyps – Small, benign growths on the cervix can bleed after sex.
Dark brown, stale blood in discharge typically is not a cause for concern. But if it persists or worsens, make an appointment with your gynecologist.
2. Menstruation
When a period starts or ends, discharged blood can appear brown rather than bright red. This is especially common in the last 1-2 days of menstruation as the flow slows down.
Reasons for brown menstrual blood include:
- Slower blood flow – Allows time for blood to oxidize and turn brown.
- Endometriosis – Can cause delayed bleeding leading to brown discharge.
- Fibroids – Benign tumors may contribute to dark or brown periods.
- Adenomyosis – When the uterine lining grows into the uterine muscle, causing heavy and prolonged bleeding.
If you regularly experience brown periods or spotting in between periods, discuss these symptoms with your doctor.
3. Vaginal Infections
Some common vaginal infections linked to brown discharge are:
- Bacterial vaginosis (BV) – A bacterial imbalance turns discharge gray, brown, or green.
- Yeast infections – Overgrowth of fungus can cause thick beige or brown clumpy discharge.
- Trichomoniasis – A parasite infection leads to itchy, smelly brown or yellow discharge.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – Discharge turns yellow, brown, or green due to inflammation of reproductive organs.
Antibiotics or antifungal medications can treat infections. See a doctor immediately if you suspect an infection.
4. Cervical Cancer
In rare cases, brown vaginal discharge could indicate cervical cancer. Other symptoms may include:
- Irregular or heavy menstrual bleeding
- Bleeding between periods or after menopause
- Pain during sex
- Heavier discharge with a strong odor
- Pelvic pain
Cervical cancer is highly treatable when detected early. Any abnormal discharge warrants a prompt visit to your gynecologist.
When to See a Doctor
Consult a gynecologist or other women’s health specialist if you notice any of the following:
- Sudden change in the color, smell, amount, or consistency of discharge
- Brown discharge accompanied by itching, burning, or other discomfort
- Dark brown or black discharge
- Bleeding between periods
- Bleeding after menopause
- Lower abdominal pain
- Fever or chills
- Pain or discomfort during sex
- Brown discharge persisting longer than a couple days
Severe pain with discharge requires urgent medical care. While brown discharge alone is not dangerous, bring up any concerns about your symptoms with a doctor.
Getting Checked for Infection
To determine if brown discharge is due to an infection, your doctor may:
- Perform a pelvic exam to check for signs of inflammation, abnormal lesions, odor, and discharge consistency.
- Take a sample of discharge to test for bacterial cultures or fungal growth.
- Order blood work to look for elevated white blood cells if PID is suspected.
- Perform a Pap test to collect cervical cells and test for changes indicating precancerous cells or cervical cancer.
- Prescribe imaging tests like a transvaginal ultrasound to get a closer look at the reproductive organs.
Based on your symptoms, risk factors, and test results, your doctor will recommend appropriate treatment.
Treating Vaginal Infections
Yeast infections can be treated with antifungal medications such as fluconazole or topical creams like miconazole (Monistat). Bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis will require prescription antibiotic medications like metronidazole or clindamycin.
For recurrent infections, your doctor may explore underlying causes like high estrogen levels, improperly treated sexual partners, or diabetes increasing susceptibility to infection. Maintaining healthy vaginal pH and flora can help prevent infections from occurring.
When to Treat Brown Discharge
If brown discharge is due to endometriosis, fibroids, or polyps, medications or surgical procedures may help minimize bleeding between periods. Hormonal forms of birth control can regulate menstrual flow and reduce spotting.
Cervical cancer screening and HPV testing help detect abnormal cervical cells early so they can be destroyed before becoming cancerous. If detected in early stages, cervical cancer has over 90% 5-year survival rate.
Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes
You can manage minor causes of brown discharge at home with the following:
1. Practice Vaginal Hygiene
- Avoid scented soaps and douches which can irritate vaginal pH.
- Change pads and tampons frequently during periods.
- Wipe front to back after using the bathroom.
- Wear cotton underwear and avoid tight-fitting clothes.
Proper vaginal hygiene prevents buildup of old blood and bacteria.
2. Take Warm Baths
Sitting in a warm bath can soothe vaginal irritation and help clear any remaining blood. Avoid bubble baths which can disrupt vaginal pH.
3. Use Heating Pads
Applying a heating pad to your lower abdomen can minimize menstrual cramps and discomfort from endometriosis or fibroids. Improving blood flow helps shed the uterus lining faster.
4. Avoid Irritation
Preventing injury to the vaginal walls can limit bloody spotting after sex or exercise. Use lubrication, give time to heal after childbirth, and avoid vaginal products that cause dryness or reactions.
5. Take Vitamin C
Vitamin C supplements can help improve iron absorption and reduce menstrual bleeding. Consult your doctor before using vitamin C to regulate your period.
6. Increase Estrogen
Applying over-the-counter vaginal estrogen creams or suppositories can reverse the dryness and thinning of vaginal tissue due to low estrogen. This minimizes bloody spotting related to menopause.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Seek immediate medical help if you experience:
- Bleeding that completely soaks a pad or tampon within an hour
- Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
- Fever over 101°F
- Sudden headache, confusion, blurry vision, or fainting
- Foul-smelling brown discharge along with nausea or chills
Heavy bleeding with brown discharge could indicate a complication like a miscarriage or pelvic infection. Call your doctor or go to an emergency room for any severe symptoms accompanying brown vaginal discharge.
Conclusion
While brown vaginal discharge is rarely an emergency, it still merits attention from your doctor. Many causes like menstrual blood mixing with discharge or residual spotting between periods are harmless. However, some instances like bacterial vaginosis or cervical cancer need prompt treatment.
See your gynecologist if brown discharge occurs with burning, pain, or other bothersome symptoms. Get checked for infection or other issues. With the right precautions and treatment when necessary, brown discharge does not have to disrupt your daily life. Stay alert to your symptoms and maintain open communication with your doctor.