Brown discharge instead of menstruation: what could it be, reasons

Why are my periods brown?

Normally, a woman should secrete approximately 50 ml of dark menstrual blood per day with a sour characteristic odor. On the first day of the cycle, brown discharge may be present, but if the situation does not change in the future, you need to be examined to identify the cause of the failure. You can see what normal discharge in women looks like in the photo.

Normal female discharge

Brown periods are often accompanied by disruptions in the menstrual cycle. Clots with a sharp, uncharacteristic odor appear, and a decrease in the amount of discharge is observed.

Light brown discharge during menstruation

Scanty discharge during menstruation, first brown, then red, is the norm for many women, since this feature is often hereditary. But sometimes hypomenorrhea develops against the background of congenital pathologies of the reproductive system, hormonal imbalance, anemia, vitamin deficiency, and climate change.

A dark brown, almost black smear is a common sign of severe infectious pathologies, sexually transmitted diseases, fibroids, and cervical cancer. A decrease in the daily volume of secretions may be accompanied by headache, discomfort in the groin area, lower back, nausea, and fever.

What diseases cause brown discharge instead of menstruation:

normal or ectopic pregnancy - weak spotting appears a few days before the missed period, and can last for several hours;
malfunction of the pituitary gland and ovaries, hormonal imbalance - dirty periods often occur during menopause, in adolescents, they can appear a week before menstruation;
proliferation of the endometrium is a consequence of abortion, chronic foci of inflammation in the pelvic organs, such a symptom may indicate tuberculosis of the genital organs;
genital injuries, gynecological surgical interventions;
nervous and physical fatigue, depressive states - discharge of a strange color may appear at the beginning of the cycle;
sudden or frequent weight changes;
long-term use of Duphaston when discontinuing the hormonal contraceptive Tri-Regol.

Brown discharge may be caused by endometrial growth

Minor light brown discharge after menstruation or in the middle of the cycle is normal, but if it has a strong odor and lasts more than 2 days, you need to.

Vaginal secretion of a similar color at the end, beginning or middle of the cycle may indicate poor personal hygiene, cervical erosion, polyps and malignant tumors, occurs when taking abortifacient medications, often occurs in women after childbirth, when the integrity of the mucous membrane is violated during sex.

Brown discharge with a greenish tint, a pungent odor, itching, pain in the lower abdomen, discomfort when emptying the bladder - a sign of sexually transmitted diseases.

Why do brown clots appear during menstruation?

Clots are almost always present in menstrual flow - this is due to endometrial rejection, but if they become brown in color, this may indicate some pathologies.

Reasons for the appearance of brown clots:

increased body temperature during menstruation;
endometriosis;
infectious lesion of the uterus - endometritis;
anemia;
ectopic pregnancy.

Endometriosis is a common cause of brown discharge

Discharge with an unpleasant brown odor indicates the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the reproductive organs; the symptom occurs with adnexitis, thrush, colpitis, cervical erosion, and neoplasms of various origins.

Brown discharge often occurs due to incorrectly selected oral contraceptives, after the installation of an ectopic device.

Orange blood

The color of blood during menstruation may also have an orange or brown tint. Such orange blood discharge can appear in girls between the ages of twelve and fourteen. But if women experience orange blood during their periods, why should you be on guard?

In general, 90% of blood or its components are observed in menstrual fluid, which is why it has a scarlet color, but if it contains more mucus or endometrial particles, then this indicates some kind of pathology. It is customary to talk in some cases about the presence of an ectopic pregnancy.

Also, blood after sexual intercourse may indicate the presence of a sexually transmitted disease: gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and others. These diseases need to be diagnosed promptly and medications should be started immediately.

If you have just started taking contraceptives, then pay special attention to the orange color of your blood, because this may indicate a malfunction of the ovaries and the death of endometrial cells. This means that these contraceptives are not suitable for you and you need to urgently contact a gynecologist.

There is an orange color in the blood even after a medical abortion, but if orange-colored periods last for more than three months, then this is already a signal to see a doctor. By the way, women after childbirth may also experience such phenomena, but this is within the normal range.

Malfunction of the ovaries

If a woman goes on a diet and at the same time reduces the amount of essential vitamins and minerals in her diet, then the body may react with irregular, orange-colored periods.

It happens that at work you are constantly in a state of stress, moral and physical overload arises, you feel overworked - the hormonal background of your body changes.

The orange color of the regulus during menstruation is one of the signals that a woman should go to a medical facility to normalize the condition of her body.

Diagnostics

After an examination on the chair, the gynecologist prescribes tests to identify the reasons for the appearance of brown periods.

Basic diagnostic methods:

clinical and biochemical blood test;
vaginal smear for flora and cytology, PAP smear from the cervical canal;
general urine analysis;
blood test for hCG, TORCH infections;
Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
analysis of thyroid hormones;
test for tumor markers, papillomavirus, cervical biopsy;
CT, MRI.

During treatment of gynecological diseases, it is necessary to completely abstain from sexual intercourse.

A vaginal smear can help identify abnormalities in women’s health.

What are the dangers of period brown?

A strange color of menstrual blood may indicate endocrine disorders, infectious and inflammatory processes - all these factors significantly reduce the likelihood of conception and normal pregnancy.

Against the background of severe inflammatory processes, adhesions appear, the infection begins to spread to other organs, which is fraught with the occurrence of chronic pathologies and sepsis.

Brown discharge during pregnancy may indicate placental abruption, which can lead to miscarriage. Scarlet discharge is a sign of a frozen pregnancy.

Light brown or darker discharge before, instead of, or after menstruation, with clots, impurities of pus, and a strong odor are dangerous, especially if they last longer than a week.

What to do if you have brown periods?

If brown discharge appears, you need to take a pregnancy test and look at the calendar to see what stage your cycle is in. If the test is negative and overall your health is normal, you should reconsider your daily routine - rest more, get enough sleep, and don’t be nervous about every occasion.

If brown discharge appears, you need to take a pregnancy test

If the discharge continues for a long time, has a strange hue, a nagging or sharp pain appears in the lower abdomen, discomfort during sexual intercourse and during urination, itching of the genitals, you should not postpone a visit to the clinic. High temperature combined with nagging pain in the lumbar region and in the appendage area - you need to call an ambulance.

Medicines

During brown periods, self-medication is pointless and dangerous, since there are many reasons for the appearance of such discharge, and they are not always caused by health problems. Medicines are selected by the doctor after examination and diagnosis; sometimes curettage or surgical intervention is required.

Main groups of drugs:

antibiotics in tablets and suppositories - Cefixime, Amoxiclav, Hexicon, Metronidazole;
anti-inflammatory drugs - Ketoprofen, Rapid, Terzhinan, Movalis;
antiviral agents – Cycloferon, Acyclovir;
medications against vaginal candidiasis - Pimafucin, Klion-D;
oral contraceptives with estrogen and gestagen - Yarina, Zhanine;
drugs for hormonal correction – Norkolut, Goserelin;
medications to restore the menstrual cycle - Profazi, Metrodin;
agents that reduce myometrial tone - Ginipral, No-shpa;
vitamins, restoratives.

Ginipral reduces myometrial tone

If you have brown discharge, you should not take hemostatics on your own - Dicynon, Tranexam; such drugs in the early stages of pregnancy can cause serious health problems.

If the brown discharge is not very abundant, has a homogeneous composition, without a pungent odor or foreign impurities, then it is caused by natural processes that occur in a woman’s body. But if other unpleasant symptoms appear, the temperature rises, you should urgently visit a doctor.

All women of reproductive age experience brown discharge on the first day of their period. They are not always an indicator of diseases of the reproductive system, but they cannot be ignored. All girls are required to monitor the course of the menstrual cycle, its regularity and the nature of leucorrhoea. If there are alarming signs, you need to visit a gynecologist as soon as possible.

In teenage girls, a scanty dark secretion preceding menstrual bleeding can be observed several years after the first menstruation.

There are women whose brown periods are an individual trait that is passed on genetically.

Normal menstruation pattern

Each woman may have her own characteristics regarding her cycle. You shouldn’t consider a factor a problem if it distinguishes you, for example, from your friend. Some characteristics are the same in all healthy women.

Normal periods should:

To be red;
Have no odor;
Have a volume of discharge of about 30-60 ml per day.

If a woman notices brown discharge on the first day of her period, then something is definitely happening in the body. Serious or not? Should I consult a doctor or wait until my next period to observe its character?

Let's try to understand the reasons that can provoke the appearance of brown discharge during menstruation. Let's talk about what can be done.

What is pathology

They talk about disorders in the body if they are accompanied by symptoms such as:

severe intense or sharp pain in the lower abdomen, fever, deterioration in health - indicate a possible ectopic pregnancy;
unpleasant odor, clots and impurities of pus in the discharge on all days of the cycle - an indicator of inflammatory processes of infectious etiology;
weight fluctuations, the appearance of skin rashes, emotional instability are an indicator of hormonal imbalance;
painful sensations during urination, sexual intercourse - speak of diseases of the excretory system;
change in the course of menstruation (they become more frequent and abundant) - an indicator of endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasia, polyps, cystic or polycystic ovaries, neoplasms in the genital organs;
heterogeneity in the consistency of the secretion (presence of clots or, conversely, excessive wateriness) may indicate pathologies of the uterus and cervix.

The appearance of brown discharge instead of normal discharge every month for several cycles in combination with some of the listed symptoms is a signal that you need to see a doctor for examination as soon as possible.

Any of the diseases, the symptom of which is dark menstrual discharge, if not treated in a timely manner is fraught with serious complications that are dangerous to a woman’s reproductive function and her life. Therefore, representatives of the fairer sex of any age cannot ignore such a manifestation.

Many women are interested in why, instead of normal menstruation, scanty brown discharge suddenly appears. If this is a sign of a disease, how dangerous is it? The nature of menstruation is an indicator of a woman’s reproductive health. But such symptoms are not only due to illness. Even stress can cause problems. If you have doubts about your health status, or signs of diseases of the uterus or appendages appear, you should visit a doctor and undergo an examination.

Content:

Useful video

Watch this video about why brown spots appear before your period:

What menstruation is considered normal?

Normally, menstruation should occur regularly and last from 3 to 5 days. The color of normal discharge is burgundy-red, its total volume for all days of menstruation is about 80 ml. For some they come after 21 days, for others - after 35, but the main thing is that the interval is approximately constant. The color is due to the presence of coagulated blood from vessels damaged during endometrial detachment. The consistency is explained by the presence in the discharge of dead epithelium and mucus produced by the glands of the cervix.

Various deviations in the nature of menstruation may occur, including volume, duration and color. The reasons are varied: from individual characteristics of the body to serious diseases.

If a patient complains of hypomenorrhea (brown spotting instead of menstruation), the doctor determines the cause, taking into account the woman’s age, general health, and sexual activity. It is important to know whether the woman gave birth or not, whether there were abortions and other operations on the uterus and appendages.

Natural causes of hypomenorrhea

In some cases, the appearance of brown discharge instead of menstruation is not a pathology:

In the first 1.5-2 years after the first menstruation appears in girls, the cycle is most often unsteady, they are either heavy, sometimes spotty, and brown in color. This is explained by fluctuations in the ratio of sex hormones produced by immature ovaries. Pathology is the existence of similar deviations in the future, after 2 years.
Spotting brown discharge sometimes appears at the beginning of pregnancy at the time of attachment of the embryo to the wall of the uterus. This damages small blood vessels in the endometrium. Oxidized blood, released in small quantities, gives ordinary mucus a brown tint. A woman, not yet knowing about her pregnancy, may think that the discharge appeared instead of menstruation. If the pregnancy test is positive, but scanty brown periods continue to appear, this indicates insufficient production of progesterone necessary to maintain pregnancy. In this case, the discharge is a warning about the threat of miscarriage. It is necessary to take a hormone test and undergo treatment.
During menopause, 2-3 years before the onset of the last menstruation, the cycle is also disrupted, ovulation does not occur every month. Therefore, the intensity of discharge and the time of its onset can vary greatly. The closer you get to menopause, the more scanty your periods become, gradually acquiring a faint brown tint, and then disappearing completely.
After childbirth and during breastfeeding, as well as after cessation of lactation, menstruation does not return immediately. At first they may have a brownish color.

Video: Reasons for the appearance of brown discharge instead of menstruation

Natural causes

In some periods of a woman’s life, it is normal to discharge brown secretions instead of menstruation; let’s look at each of these cases in more detail.

Unsteady cycle

After a girl’s first period begins at the age of 12-13 years, the hormonal cycle stabilizes for another 1.5-2 years. This process is accompanied by irregular menstruation, as well as fluctuations in the consistency and color of monthly discharge. Since the ovaries have not yet fully matured at this age, the level of sex hormones will vary, which means that it is quite natural that for several years after menarche, brown spotting will appear instead of regulation. After 2 years, the cycle should normalize; if this does not happen, consultation with a specialist is required.

Pregnancy

At the very beginning of pregnancy, brown spotting may appear during the process of implantation of the fertilized egg into the inner layer of the uterus. The attachment of the zygote is accompanied by injury to the small vessels of the endometrium, which are the source of slight bleeding against the background of secretions released from the vagina. A special test can confirm the presence of pregnancy. If the test is positive, but the brown spot does not stop coming, it means that the woman’s body has insufficient levels of progesterone, which is necessary for full gestation. In this situation, spotting may signal the threat of spontaneous abortion. To avoid this, you need to donate blood for hormones and undergo treatment.

After childbirth, breastfeeding

After the birth of the baby and after stopping breastfeeding, the woman’s body gradually gets used to the new hormonal levels, and the menstrual cycle also normalizes only after a few months. It is quite natural that during the adaptation period, a spotting brown secretion may appear instead of menstruation. If such discharge occurs every cycle and is accompanied by pain and an unpleasant odor, you should definitely contact a gynecologist.

Climax

When a woman enters premenopause, she may experience interruptions in her menstrual cycle for 2-3 years. The level of sex hormones decreases, ovulation no longer occurs in every cycle, so the intensity of menstrual flow fluctuates from cycle to cycle. The closer you get to menopause, the more scanty your periods become. Over time, they begin to look like brown daub, and then disappear completely.

Causes of abnormal periods

The causes of menstrual disorders that are not associated with natural physiological processes are, as a rule, diseases of various organs and abnormal changes in hormonal levels. There are factors that contribute to the occurrence of amenorrhea.

Ectopic pregnancy.

If the test shows the presence of pregnancy, but scanty brownish discharge continues to appear at the time when your period should come, this may indicate that the embryo has settled not in the uterus, but in the tubes. In this case, partial detachment of the endometrium occurs, and a faint pinkish-brown discharge appears. This dangerous condition must be diagnosed as early as possible.

Sudden changes in body weight.

Menstruation turns brown if a woman suddenly loses weight through fasting or intense exercise. A similar deviation occurs with vitamin deficiency, a lack of iron in the body. A sharp increase in body weight is also fraught with disruption of the menstrual cycle and the appearance of spotting instead of menstruation.

Metabolic disease

as a result of diseases of the liver, intestines, pancreas and thyroid glands.

Poisoning of the body

food or industrial toxins, alcohol, nicotine.

Stressful situations

, neuropsychiatric diseases. They affect the production of hormones and lead to changes in the nature of menstruation. Stress can be the result of injury, illness, or poor lifestyle choices.

Surgical operations

(abortion, caesarean section, partial hysterectomy). Such operations lead to disruption of hormonal processes in the body. Therefore, after them, the first periods may be scanty, and their color may be brownish-brown. If there are no complications, then after some time the nature of menstruation is restored.

Note:

Brown discharge instead of menstruation and abnormalities in the cycle can be a woman’s result of improper development of the genital organs or their damage during childbirth.

Infectious diseases

and inflammatory processes in the organs of the genitourinary system. Infection with hidden infections (Trichomonas, gonococci, gardnerella, genital herpes viruses and others), as well as inflammation of organs as a result of the proliferation of fungi, streptococci, staphylococci, lead to disruption of the ovaries. This affects the course of cyclic processes associated with the appearance of menstruation.

Hormonal disorders.

As a result of taking hormonal drugs, using birth control pills, or an intrauterine device, the ratio of sex hormones is disrupted. If the level of estrogen decreases significantly, then menstruation is delayed, and its intensity decreases until spotting brown discharge appears. The causes of hormonal disorders are diseases of the endocrine system, emotional overload, lack of sexual activity, disruption of breastfeeding, and termination of pregnancy.

Addition:

Brown periods may occur due to certain medications, such as antidepressants, that cause bleeding disorders.

Video: Discharge in early pregnancy

When to see a doctor

You should not postpone a visit to the gynecologist in the following cases:

When brownish discharge appears not only on the days of menstruation, but also continues throughout the next week. This may be a sign of serious diseases: cervical erosion, ovarian cysts, endometritis (overgrowth of the endometrium), endometriosis (inflammation of the uterine epithelium), fibroids or cancer.
Brown discharge has a greenish tint and smells unpleasant. In this case, there is pain in the lower abdomen, itching in the vagina, pain when urinating. Such symptoms are characteristic of sexually transmitted diseases.
Brown discharge appears during a possible pregnancy and indicates the threat of its termination.

You should urgently call a doctor if, during menstruation with brown discharge, your body temperature rises and nagging pain occurs in the ovarian area and lower back. This condition indicates the presence of inflammatory disease of the ovaries (oophoritis).

What diseases cause brown discharge at the beginning of the cycle?

If a symptom appears suddenly and repeats for at least 2 months, then it is worth checking for the presence of diseases.

Endometritis

Inflammatory damage to the uterine mucosa leads to spotting on different days, but brownish discharge is more common before menstruation. After 1 day, normal bleeding begins. The disease occurs when infected with sexually transmitted pathogens, as well as during the spread and reproduction of opportunistic bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Such discharge has an unpleasant odor, it causes pain in the lower back and pain in the lower abdomen, the temperature rises, and the woman feels a loss of strength. Treatment is aimed at destroying microbes, so a suitable antibiotic and other drugs are used in combination.

Inflammation of the appendages

Adnexitis is also characterized by brown spotting during menstruation. The fact is that blood resulting from tissue damage by bacteria cannot leave the uterus due to a plug in the cervical canal. The cervix opens twice per cycle - during menstruation and during ovulation, then you can observe coagulated old blood in the vaginal mucus. The causes of the disease and treatment are similar to endometritis.

Polyps

Growths on the surface of the uterus are a benign tumor with a potential risk of malignancy. They are characterized by an increase in the duration of menstruation with spotting at the beginning and end, as well as in the intermenstrual period after sex. So far, one thing is clear: the predisposition to pathology is inherited, and other reasons are speculative. Polyps are removed during hysteroscopy using a radiosurgical scalpel or an electric coagulator.

Endometriosis

Hyperplasia and adenomyosis also cause dark brown discharge with clots in the middle of the cycle, on the eve of menstruation. At the same time, menstruation is heavy and painful. The cause of pathologies is hormonal disorders. There is practically no cure, but taking contraceptives leads to stable remission.

Ovarian tumors and cysts

If your periods become gradually scanty and begin and end with a dark spot, it means that the production of hormones is reduced due to the formation of paired sex glands. Subsequently, brown spotting occurs instead of menstruation, and then menstruation stops completely.

What to do if brown discharge appears instead of menstruation

First of all, a woman needs to take a pregnancy test. The doctor recommends taking a blood test for clotting, hemoglobin content, and hormones. When using hormonal contraceptives, you will need to choose a more suitable remedy with the help of a gynecologist. During the examination, a smear is taken from the vagina to determine the type of infectious agent. An ultrasound is performed to detect inflammation or tumors. If such discharge appears in a woman after 40 years of age, then she is recommended to take hormone replacement therapy.

The color of menstrual discharge is one of the indicators of the health of a woman’s reproductive system.

. Normally, they have a dark red tint, as blood is retained in the uterus and slightly oxidized before being released. But in some cases, the characteristics of menstruation change, and they acquire a brownish color and sometimes an unpleasant odor. Such discharge occurs quite often and can be either a normal variant or a pathology. What to do if a woman has brown periods, why is this phenomenon observed, and in what cases should you consult a doctor?

The female reproductive system is sensitive to external and internal factors

, therefore, the brown color of menstruation can be caused by a number of reasons, ranging from natural changes in the body to serious diseases and pathologies.

The beginning and end of menstrual bleeding. At the end and beginning of menstruation, brown blood is normal - the color of the discharge changes under the influence of hormones. If a woman feels normal, then this condition does not require medical intervention.
Natural changes in hormonal levels. During the formation of the menstrual cycle and before the onset of menopause, fluctuations in hormonal levels can cause a change in the color of the discharge. Menstruation, as a rule, is scanty, and may be accompanied by hot flashes to the face, increased sweating, headaches, and discomfort in the lower abdomen.
Pregnancy. Discharge of an unnatural color is one of the signs of conception and pregnancy, along with nausea, fatigue and drowsiness, breast tenderness and other signs. True, this phenomenon, as a rule, indicates an unfavorable course of pregnancy, in particular, hormonal deficiency, an incipient miscarriage, or a frozen fetus.
Polycystic ovary syndrome. A common pathology, which is characterized by a violation of the ovulatory function of the ovaries, and one of the answers to the question why menstrual blood is brown during menstruation. In addition to this symptom, this disease is manifested by irregular cycles, acne on the skin, hair growth on the face and chest, and infertility.

For what reasons do the first days of menstruation occur with spotting?

A sluggish onset of menstruation can occur once as a result of provoking factors that affect the production of sex hormones:

Stressful conditions;
Change of lifestyle or climate;
Tiring physical labor, carrying heavy objects;
Injuries to the whole body or the abdominal and back areas;
Colds and hypothermia;
Taking antibiotics, antidepressants, corticosteroids.

The list can be continued, since menstruation is affected by any external and internal changes. Normally, the usual spotting should begin on the second day.

Attention! In reviews from women, it is not uncommon for menstruation to begin with spotting due to a cold or nervous strain.

Formation of the cycle in girls, as well as in women after surgery and childbirth

Brownish discharge in adolescents during menstruation is not a sign of disease in the first 1-2 years after menarche. When puberty ends, regular bleeding will begin.

Surgery, abortion, miscarriage or normal pregnancy are significant events for the reproductive and endocrine system. After them, the cycle is re-established with a different duration and intervals between menstruation, and other characteristics of the discharge itself.

Decline of childbearing functions

At a certain age, a woman runs out of eggs and becomes infertile. The body stops producing the required volumes of hormones, and menstruation disappears as unnecessary. The process lasts for several months with a gradual decrease in menstrual flow and a decrease in the duration of critical days.

The reproductive system may stop functioning for other reasons. For example, for weight problems, diseases and tumors in endocrine organs, for example, in the brain or ovaries. In most cases, the process is reversible with proper treatment.

Taking birth control pills

Hormonal contraception causes very complex changes in the body, as a result of which pregnancy becomes impossible. Bleeding that occurs every month is not actually a period. This is the result of empty days when the pills are not taken at the end of the cycle.

At the beginning of the course, brown discharge can occur on any day of the intermenstrual period, but as the body adapts, after 2-4 months a stable cycle is formed.

Many problems begin in women after independently choosing a contraceptive drug. These funds have serious limitations and also require preliminary research into their own production of the necessary substances. Properly selected pills help stabilize menstruation and preserve youth.

Diagnostics

To determine the cause of brown discharge during menstruation, a woman must undergo a series of diagnostic tests

, which will help to create a complete picture of the health of the reproductive system.

Examination by a gynecologist. Allows you to identify changes and tissue damage, cervical erosion, neoplasms in the uterus and ovaries.
Clinical blood and urine tests. They are carried out to identify inflammatory processes in the body - tests reveal leukocytosis, increased ESR, and traces of protein in the urine.
Hormone testing. A blood test to determine the level of major sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone) makes it possible to assess a woman’s hormonal background and diagnose disorders.
Vaginal smear. Identifies pathogens of infectious diseases in the microflora of the genital organs.
HCG analysis. Performed if pregnancy is suspected, normal or ectopic.
Tests for tumor markers. Prescribed for suspected cancer of the uterus, ovaries and mammary glands.
Ultrasound of the pelvic organs. The most informative method with which you can diagnose endometriosis and other pathologies, ectopic pregnancy, neoplasms in the ovaries and uterus, and assess the general condition of the reproductive organs.
MRI and CT. They make it possible to determine benign and malignant formations, their structure, location and other features.
Research of the thyroid gland. Tests for thyroid hormones and ultrasound of the organ are carried out in case of hormonal imbalances, thyrotoxicosis and other similar diseases.

When making a diagnosis of brown discharge, a woman may additionally need consultation with an endocrinologist, surgeon, oncologist
and other specialists.

Treatment

Therapy for brown periods depends on the cause of the disease. For inflammatory and infectious diseases, treatment is carried out with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with vitamin therapy and immunostimulating agents.

Imbalance of hormones requires treatment with hormonal drugs - as a rule, women are prescribed suitable oral contraceptives, which normalize the menstrual cycle, color and amount of discharge. If a hormonal imbalance is observed during pregnancy, treatment is carried out with drugs containing estrogen, progesterone and other substances (Duphaston, Utrozhestan).

Every woman of reproductive age experiences menstruation every month. Their nature, volume and duration should normally remain unchanged. Naturally, suddenly appearing brown periods cause concern. However, such changes are not always a sign of pathology. There are many reasons for the appearance of uncharacteristic discharge.

It has a red or burgundy color. If there is a slight darkening of menstrual blood, it means that it has temporarily lingered in the vagina or uterus and has oxidized.

The explanation for why periods are brown is the small amount of discharge. Therefore, at the beginning of critical days and closer to their end, similar changes are observed. During this period, very little blood comes out.

In some cases, they occur in completely healthy women and adolescents. If blood loss during one menstruation is less than 30 ml, then serious pathologies can be suspected. The discharge may be brown or black.

They may indicate hormonal imbalance, diseases of the genitourinary system, underweight and pregnancy.

Regardless of the reason that led to such changes, you need to seek help from a gynecologist. Pathologies developing in the body often have a hidden clinical picture. In an advanced stage, they are difficult to treat and can lead to serious complications.

What can color say?

The color of monthly discharge can serve as a definite indicator for a woman of the health of the reproductive system. Normally, the discharge should be a rich dark red color. There should be no foreign pungent odor or pus.

Changes in the nature of the discharge may indicate a hormonal imbalance or even the appearance of neoplasms in the uterus, ovaries, or the development of pathology.

Scarlet blood

If on the second day the blood during menstruation is scarlet in color, then we can say that this is an ideal indicator. The woman’s reproductive system works correctly, there are no deviations. Such secretions have a subtle smell of iron.

The preservation of this color on the third day of menstruation should alert you, especially when the discharge is scanty. Such blood can be released in a young girl during the start of her cycle, then this is considered the norm, as well as during the onset of menopause. In a young woman of reproductive age, the scarlet color of the blood, which persists throughout menstruation, indicates possible problems. A gynecological examination will clarify the picture. It may be:

Pregnancy with developmental pathologies.
Polyp in the uterus.
Recent abortion.
Malignant formation of the pelvic organs.
Infectious disease.

Menstrual discharge with a scarlet tint can be a complication after gynecological surgery. An intrauterine device and taking COCs may explain the color of such discharge.

Many women ignore this symptom, considering it the norm. This is a mistake that leads to serious consequences. You need to see a doctor, undergo the necessary diagnostics, and take tests.

Orange

Orange-colored menstrual discharge cannot be called normal. The shade indicates that most of the menstruation is mucus, particles of the endometrium, which is rejected.

If your periods are orange, then doctors talk about a decrease in female hormones in the body. Such a condition should not cause concern only for young girls in the first years of the establishment of the menstrual cycle; in the future, it is a reason to check the reproductive system. An orange undertone may still appear before the onset of menopause.

In young women, menstruation of this color indicates the presence of problems with metabolism in the body. This may be due to high blood pressure. Unsuccessful curettage and intrauterine device can also affect menstruation in a similar way.

A woman should see a doctor, get tested for hormones, and undergo the necessary examination. Timely prescribed treatment stabilizes the condition.

Gray

Discharge of a faded, almost gray color during menstruation is quite dangerous. They may indicate the development of an ectopic pregnancy or an infectious disease. In this case, you need to undergo a gynecological examination to rule out the development of diseases.

Such discharge may be a consequence of a woman being in a stressful situation for a long time. Physical overload, poor nutrition and lack of proper rest can also affect the color of menstrual flow.

The gynecologist will explain the situation and, if necessary, prescribe medication or give the woman recommendations for lifestyle correction.

Dark, black

Dark, almost black color of blood during menstruation often indicates the development of endometriosis. If your period comes with blood clots, this becomes an additional symptom of pathology. As the disease progresses, the inner uterine layer begins to thicken and it is difficult for secretions to leave the uterus. With endometriosis, periods are not only black in color, but also have an unpleasant odor, signaling the disease.

Also, dark color of menstrual blood may indicate:

Uterine distension.
Pregnancy.
Malfunctions of the endocrine system.
Development of benign neoplasms in the genital organs.
Reduction of the cervical canal.

You should not engage in self-diagnosis or use alternative medicine methods for treatment. You should consult a doctor, undergo the necessary examination, and take tests. Timely treatment will eliminate the problem.

Brown

Brown menstrual blood is not normal. It signals a problem developing in the body.

Such discharge may indirectly indicate the development of an ectopic pregnancy.
Discharge of this color, accompanied by pain, is a signal of hypothermia. In this case, you need to go to the doctor without using painkillers to relieve attacks of pain. Ignoring the problem can lead to infertility.
An incorrectly selected contraceptive can later cause brown periods.
Discharge of this color with an unpleasant odor often indicates the development of a sexually transmitted disease.
Brown periods appear after an abortion. If the condition does not normalize within 3 months, you need to seek help from a gynecologist.
Brown blood can be seen by girls who decide to dramatically lose weight and radically change their diet.

Pink

Normally, pink blood may appear in the first days of menstruation. The discharge also contains glandular secretions from the cervix, vagina, and endometrial particles. If the blood does not darken after three days, remaining pink, you need to go to the doctor. The cause of this condition may be hidden in anemia, low iron levels. Properly prescribed therapy stabilizes the situation.

Dark red

Dark red menstrual blood is considered an indicator of the normal and good functioning of a woman’s reproductive system. The saturation of the shade may change depending on the use of contraceptives, weight loss or gain.

Dark red discharge during menstruation occurs in most women. You need to be wary if there is an unpleasant odor, clots, or pain.

A woman who knows the nature of her periods immediately sees when the slightest changes occur. These symptoms can warn of the development of diseases and malfunctions of internal systems. Don’t ignore your body’s signals; this will help maintain your health and well-being for many years.

When is this the norm?

Sometimes, when menstruation is normal, the discharge becomes darker than usual. Such changes are not considered a sign of pathology in the following cases:

a day or two before the critical days. Usually menstruation begins with a brown spot. Its insignificant volume is a harbinger of regulation;
a day after menstruation. This is due to the release of the uterus from blood residues;
while taking oral contraceptives. During the first three cycles, dark brown periods are observed. Their appearance is provoked by hormonal changes in the body;
when critical days last no more than three days. For short periods, brown discharge is considered normal
;
after the first menstruation in adolescents. Over the course of two years, similar periods may appear;
at the beginning of sexual activity. As a result of deflowering and after several subsequent sexual acts, slight bleeding may occur.

Causes of pathologically scanty periods

The reasons for brown periods do not always lie in the natural processes occurring in the body. Often, serious health problems lead to changes in the nature of discharge, including:

inflammatory process;
genitourinary system infections;
ectopic pregnancy;
threat of spontaneous miscarriage;
cystitis;
endometritis;
cervical erosion;
genital tuberculosis;
endocrine diseases;
endometriosis;
endometrial hyperplasia;
benign and malignant tumors;
polyps.

In the case of the presence of these diseases, the appearance of brown discharge is noted during menstruation, which may indicate a neglected situation. If an uncharacteristic secretion is detected, it is strongly recommended not to postpone a visit to the gynecologist. The sooner a pathology is diagnosed, the easier it is to eliminate it.

The reason for dark brown discharge often lies in the use of contraceptives such as birth control pills and intrauterine devices. In this case, such changes cannot be ignored either.

Only through diagnostics will it be possible to exclude other factors that can lead to the appearance of menstruation of an uncharacteristic color and avoid unwanted complications.

The following signs of pathology should cause concern:

discharge that is excessively thick or;
constant increase in the volume of blood lost;
pronounced pain in the abdomen and lower back;
severe headaches, even menstrual migraines;
heavy menstruation (the pad gets completely wet within a couple of hours);
frequent and painful urination;
intimacy accompanied by pain;
nausea and vomiting;
causeless increase in body temperature;
menstruation with an unpleasant odor;
burning and itching in the genital area;
long delays;
a large number of clots in the discharge.

Often, with the development of pathologies of the genitourinary system, the appearance of brown periods is noted. In this case, the symptoms of the disease may be mild. Such changes are mistakenly attributed to less dangerous causes

, including stress, strict diet and excessive exercise. If you discover uncharacteristic discharge, you should immediately contact a gynecologist.

Only a doctor is able to identify the pathology and prescribe adequate treatment.