Brown Vaginal Discharge

Almost every woman may experience vaginal discharge on a regular basis, which is quite a normal occurrence. From the time of puberty till menopause, every woman may have a discharge at some point of time in her life. Vaginal discharge is a way of cleaning and protecting the birth canal and it consists of dead cells and fluids, secreted by the inner wall of the vagina. A normal vaginal discharge, known as leukorrhea, is clear to milky white in color. It may also be sticky or watery in nature. Sometimes it can be tinged pinkish or brown in color as a result of old blood. Noticing brown vag discharge, or spotting is not a matter of grave concern. But if you experience brown vag discharge with odor, accompanied by itching or pain, then you may have to report this condition to a medical practitioner for diagnosis and treatment. A persistent discharge tinged in unusual colors like grayish green, yellow, etc. should also be brought to the immediate notice of the doctor, as it may be an indication of some serious underlying health disorder.

Causes of Brown Vaginal Discharge

Though as mentioned above, brown discharge or discharge during ovulation which can be brown in color is quite safe, it is never wrong to be cautious.

• A brown discharge before period occurs when old blood or the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) is expelled from the body. This is the reason why there is a brownish discharge before menstruation.
• Brownish vaginal discharge between periods can be due to late expelling of old blood, from the last menstrual cycle. During the menstrual cycle, the old inner wall of the uterus tears down and is replaced by a new lining. This old uterine wall is discarded from the body through the birth canal or vagina. But sometimes the entire endometrium is not expelled at one go, which can result in brown discharge between periods.
• Some women may experience brown spotting while on birth control. Brown discharge on birth control can be due to a surge of hormones in the body. It can also be a withdrawal symptom, if this brown spotting between periods is noticed at the end of the course.
• In some cases, women may experience brown discharge instead of period, accompanied by a mild cramping sensation. This can be due to implantation. During the process of implantation, the blastocyst embeds itself into the inner wall of the uterus, rupturing it. This rupture causes slight bleeding, which can be noticed as light brown discharge.
• Observing brown discharge during pregnancy can be a cause of grave concern, as spotting may be a sign of miscarriage. Hence, if you are pregnant and notice brown discharge in early pregnancy, rush to your gynecologist as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary complications.
• In severe cases, suffering from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and genital warts may have symptoms like brown colored vaginal discharge. The dark brown discharge may have a musty smell and you may also experience severe itching around your private parts. Other symptoms of this health condition may include pelvic irritation and pain during intercourse.
• Cervical cancer may also be one of the reasons behind brown discharge after period. The discharge, which may have a foul odor, is unusual and continues for a long period for time and may sometimes have traces of blood. There is also throbbing pain in the pelvic region. The same symptoms can be seen if the woman is suffering from ovarian cancer.

Treating Brown Vaginal Discharge

It is always advisable to consult a gynecologist on observing any kind of discharge or spotting from the vagina, to be on the safer side. Following a balanced diet rich in all the essential nutrients and following a proper exercise regimen can reduce the abnormal vaginal discharge. A routine pelvic exam can help avoid complications. The doctor may advice you to undergo pap smear testing to rule out possibilities of complications and also to diagnose the condition that's causing brown vaginal discharge. In case of infections, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to ward off the pathogens. Polyps or cysts are also treated with the help of prescription medications. In rare cases, surgery may also be considered as an option to treat polyps. Taking precautions like maintaining personal hygiene, practicing safe sex and going for a routine medical checkup can keep health disorders at bay.

Although brown discharge is not a grave concern at all times, it can mean a serious health disorder in some cases. So, regular monitoring is necessary to keep serious implications at bay. Stay healthy.