Brown period blood has various causes but isnt usually a reason to be concerned.
However, sometimes,brown dischargecan indicate pregnancy or a health concern.
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For people with a very light flow, blood may appear brown throughout their entire period.
This is more common if you use a birth control method that can cause lighter periods.
As a result, the blood may look a little brown.
Its also normal for there to be little spots of blood.
Old Blood From Last Period
Old period blood is oxidized blood and takes on a brownish hue.
It could be leftover from your last period.
You may experience occasional light brown spotting after sex, particularly after vigorous sex or sex with insufficient lubrication.
This is due to the dislodging of old blood.
Beginning or End of Period
Older blood also has more time to oxidize and thus turn brown.
Consider what blood looks like when you get a cut.
At first, the blood is bright red, but it turns brown or darker red as it dries.
Your menstrual blood has a similar oxidation process, so it may sometimes appear brown.
However, its also possible to get brown spotting mid-cycle, during ovulation.
Ovulation is when an egg is released from your ovary.
Hormonal imbalances can trigger this bleeding, which is known asovulation bleeding.
Early Pregnancy
Brown period blood could be a sign ofearly pregnancy.
Early pregnancy is one of many potential causes of brown discharge but does not confirm pregnancy.
If you suspect you are pregnant, take apregnancy testand follow up with a healthcare provider.
Brown discharge that looks like coffee grounds is old blood that has had time to oxidize in the uterus.
Brown discharge during pregnancy could also be a sign ofectopic pregnancy.
This is when pregnancy occurs outside of the uterus.
It is potentially life-threatening and needs to be evaluated as soon as possible by a healthcare provider.
Fibroids
Uterine fibroidsare common, benign (noncancerous) growths that occur in or on the uterus.
Their size and location can affect menstrual blood in different ways.
Sometimes they block blood flow and make your period blood brown.
It is often due to a sexually transmitted infection.
The symptoms of PID may be mild or very general, which can make PID difficult to detect.
Abnormal bleeding is one of the symptoms.Spotting or light bleeding can occur.
If the blood has time to oxidize before it leaves the body, it may appear brown.
Perimenopause
Perimenopauseis the stage that occurs before menopause.
It usually starts in a persons late 40s or early 50s.
During this time, the body starts to produce less estrogen.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)is a common disorder affecting the bodys hormones.
It happens when females produce higher levels of male hormones (androgens), like testosterone, than normal.
Menstrual periods can become irregular as a result.
Othersymptoms of PCOSinclude:
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Lochia (Postpartum Bleeding)
Bleeding after delivery is normal.
This postpartum bleeding is calledlochia.
It lasts for about two to three weeks.
Infection
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and infections of the female reproductive system can cause abnormal bleeding.
STIs such asgonorrhea,chlamydia, andcytomegalovirus(CMV)can cause PID.
As a symptom, abnormal bleeding may manifest as brown blood.
Trichomoniasisis an STI commonly known as trich.
Summary
Brown period blood is older blood that has had more time to oxidize.
Northwestern Medicine.What your period says about your health.
Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects of the birth control implant?
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).Healthy menstruation: a guide for girls.
USA Fibroid Centers.Common questions about spotting.
Massachusetts General Hospital.Bleeding in early pregnancy.
UC Davis Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.What are the signs of early miscarriage?
USA Fibroid Centers.Why is my period blood brown?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Perimenopausal bleeding and bleeding after menopause.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
OB-GYN University of Colorado.Lochia, or postpartum bleeding: what do you should probably know?
Plan B One-Step.Possible Plan B side effects.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Vaginitis.
