Meaning of brown discharge: ovulation, pill, periods, pregnancy…

They surprise, sometimes worry, and still remain surrounded by many preconceived ideas. Brown discharge, also called brown vaginal discharge or brownish discharge, is common in women and most often corresponds to old blood evacuated outside or at the end of the menstrual cycle. Although they are generally not serious, their appearance can raise questions, particularly when they occur outside of menstruation, on the pill or during pregnancy. When to worry? What are the possible causes and in which cases should you consult? Dr Brigitte Raccah-Tebeka, gynecologist-endocrinologist, answers us.

Definition: where do brown losses come from?

Brown or brown discharge corresponds to the evacuation of old blood through the genital tract. This is cervical mucus mixed with old blood (which is therefore no longer red, but brown because it has oxidized in the body). These losses can occur in different contexts: just before or after your period or during ovulation (halfway through the menstrual cycle). Depending on the context and their regularity, they may lead to consulting a doctor.

Brown discharge: a sign of ovulation (in the middle of the cycle)?

Ovulation occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle. It is then possible that the woman may observe brown vaginal discharge, particularly in women without contraception or with hormone-free contraception such as the IUD. This is usually a sign of ovulation. “Brown discharge that occurs during ovulation is rather occasional and is not worrying. reassures the gynecologist. They are often “a little more rosy“only brown,” she explains.

Brown discharge on pill

Brown discharge can occur in a woman on the pill. “Brown discharge that occurs during a normal cycle or during contraception such as the pill can simply reveal a forgotten or missed pill. In this case, it is small bleeding from the uterus which turns into brown discharge” specifies Dr. Raccah-Tebeka. A poorly balanced pill that is not really suitable can also cause bleeding. “If bleeding occurs repeatedly while taking the pill and without forgetting a tablet, it may reflect the fact that the pill is not really suitable (too much or too little dose for example) to the patient who will then have to speak to her practitioner.“, advises Dr. Raccah-Tebeka. It will then be useful to consider using another pill, or even another contraceptive to eliminate this brown discharge.

Brown discharge during pregnancy: when to worry?

Brown discharge may appear during pregnancy, usually during the first three months. These losses correspond, quite simply, to the elimination of old blood, which results from a slight lack of attachment of the egg to the uterine wall. However, it is better to talk to your gynecologist so that he can rule out the possibility of a complication, particularly if these losses are accompanied by pain.

Brown discharge: a sign of menopause?

After age 45, brown discharge can be a sign of premenopause. They are then accompanied by other symptoms such as menstrual cycle disorders (irregular periods), hot flashes and/or sudden mood changes.

Brown discharge: a sign of ovarian cyst, fibroid?

Depending on the context in which it occurs, brown discharge can also be a sign of cervical irritation, pelvic inflammation, a polyp or other uterine pathology. Brown discharge that is accompanied by other symptoms may indicate something to watch for such as an infection, the presence of an ovarian cyst or a uterine fibroid. In all cases, in the presence of repeated episodes or in case of doubt about the origin of the bleeding, medical advice is required.

What to do in case of painful or smelly discharge?

If the brownish discharge is accompanied by other symptoms (pelvic pain, burning, abnormal odors, itching, etc.), you should consult a doctor because this may be a sign of infection (mycosis, vaginosis or others, etc.), or the presence of a benign uterine pathology (polyp or fibroid for example) which must be monitored. The existence of associated pain must absolutely eliminate a pregnancy (desired or not) because the risk of ectopic pregnancy, although rare, is a medical emergency. The doctor will then have to examine you, find the origin of the brown discharge and offer you appropriate treatment. “When there is a delay in periods and these are replaced by brownish discharge generally accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, we can suspect a risk of pregnancy, or even a risk of ectopic pregnancy. And in this case, the patient must be treated urgently.“.

What to do in case of brown discharge from the uterus?

Brown discharge can sometimes come from the cervix. Only the gynecologist can know this during auscultation. In this case, the cervix shows inflammatory characteristics: the mucous membranes are very fragile and bleed as soon as they are “stressed”. The practitioner can take a smear to be certain that there are no pathological cervical cells, a sample of vaginal secretions to rule out an infection and/or a pelvic ultrasound if there is any doubt.

What treatment for brown discharge?

The treatment of brown discharge is based solely on determining their origin and correcting them. The best thing is to talk to your doctor or gynecologist who are the only ones who can determine if the patient needs to carry out additional tests or change contraception. On the contrary, they can also reassure her when there is nothing abnormal. To summarize, “Brown discharge may not be worrying if it is without pathological support. But in all cases, we always try to find a solution to limit (or even eliminate) these brown losses, especially if they impact life as a couple.“, concludes the expert. You can clean yourself with wipes without perfume and other chemical substances, but only the vulva, that is to say the superficial part of the vagina. Avoid vaginal toilets which destroy the normal flora and promote infections.

Thanks to Dr Brigitte Raccah-Tebeka, gynecologist-endocrinologist.