Throughout the month, it’s totally normal for your vaginal discharge texture and color to slightly change. It’s typically some kind of clear or white, and can even have tints of pink or red during your period. But what about brown discharge when you’re not on your period? Should that send off some alarm bells?
Vaginal discharge is a mix of fluid and cells your vagina sheds throughout the day to protect its tissues from irritation or infection. If discharge is brown it usually means there’s some old blood mixed in that wasn’t expelled from your last period. “The main difference between dark and light brown is how much old blood is in the discharge itself,” with darker discharge meaning more old blood, explains Jillian LoPiano, MD, an OB/GYN and chief health officer at Wisp.
So…is it bad? Brown discharge is often no big deal. In fact, a lot of people get it at the very end of their period, or even a day or two after their period has pretty much stopped, per the Cleveland Clinic. But it’s another story if you’re getting brown discharge before your period, in between your periods, or after sex. In that case, you’re essentially having spotting (just with some older, leftover blood), which can be a sign that something’s up, Dr. LoPiano says.
Read on to learn the top causes of brown discharge when you’re not on your period, and when to see a doctor about it.
5 causes of brown discharge when you’re not on your period
If you’ve ever wondered what brown discharge means, here are the top culprits:
1. Hormonal birth control
Spotting or breakthrough bleeding can sometimes be a side effect of hormonal birth control methods like the pill or IUD. It’s more likely to happen if you’ve recently started a new birth control or if something has disrupted your BC regimen (like missing a pill, taking antibiotics, or throwing up or having diarrhea), according to the Mayo Clinic. The problem should ease up within a couple cycles, but let your OB/GYN know if it’s not getting better or if the bleeding intensifies.
2. Pregnancy
Pregnancy can cause some spotting very early on. Experts call it “implantation bleeding,” because it happens when a fertilized egg latches on to the lining of the uterus and starts to grow, per the Cleveland Clinic. Spotting from implantation bleeding can be brown, dark brown, or slightly pink and can happen alongside other early pregnancy symptoms like a headache, breast tenderness, bloating or nausea, and fatigue.
3. Menopause
Sometimes brown discharge during or after menopause stems from a change in your vaginal tissues. A drop in the hormone estrogen makes the tissues drier and thinner, which could cause micro tears (especially after sex) that lead to discharge or bleeding, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). And while it’s not a health issue, it can definitely be uncomfortable. Vaginal lubricants or topical estrogen creams can help.
On the other hand, there are times when brown discharge after menopause could be a sign of a more serious issue, like a polyp, an abnormally thick uterine lining, or cancer, notes ACOG. In this case, it’s important to get the problem checked out so you and your doctor can figure out what’s going on.
4. Infection
Sometimes brown discharge means you’ve got an infection brewing. Common culprits include the following, per the Cleveland Clinic:
- Bacterial vaginosis, or a bacterial imbalance in your vagina.
- Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite in your vagina.
- Yeast infection, a vaginal fungal infection.
You can usually tell if you’re dealing with an infection if the discharge is happening alongside other symptoms like itching, burning, or pain, Dr. LoPiano says. A change in odor can tip you off, too. Normal brown discharge has a slightly metallic smell because of the iron in the blood, she adds. But if your vaginal smell is foul or fishy, it’s likely an infection.
5. Another underlying medical condition
A number of issues can cause spotting before your period or breakthrough bleeding, and it’s possible that the discharge could be brown. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these could include:
- Uterine fibroids or polyps, or growths in the lining of the uterus. Fibroids and many polyps are benign, but some polyps can turn cancerous.
- Cervicitis, or inflammation and infection of your cervix.
- Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid.
- Adenomyosis, where the lining of the uterus grows through the uterine wall.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS, a hormonal imbalance that can cause irregular periods, weight gain, acne, and facial hair. This may also be a cause of brown discharge after periods.
- Gynecologic cancers such as cervical, endometrial, or uterine cancer.
Unfortunately, these issues can’t be diagnosed at home. So if you’re getting frequent brown discharge that can’t be explained by another cause, or are getting brown discharge with other symptoms, let your doctor know. Together you can figure out the underlying problem and decide on the best way to treat it.
Other types of vaginal discharge
Most of the time, clear or milky white discharge is considered normal for your vagina. “It generally has a mild odor and should not cause discomfort,” Dr. LoPiano says. If you’re dealing with something other than that, there’s a good chance something’s going on that needs to be addressed.
The “what” depends on the color and consistency of the discharge and what kinds of symptoms it’s causing. Here’s what certain vaginal secretions mean for your health, per the Cleveland Clinic:
- White, cottage cheese-like discharge could mean a yeast infection. It’s usually accompanied by intense itching or burning.
- Pink discharge usually means there’s some fresh blood in your discharge, so it’s essentially spotting. It can happen for many of the same reasons as brown discharge.
- Yellow or green discharge tends to be a sign of an infection like trichomoniasis or inflammatory vaginitis. They’re usually accompanied by pain, so call for a trip to your doctor ASAP.
- Gray discharge can also mean you have an infection, such as bacterial vaginosis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, or chlamydia. Again, you’re probably having some pain or burning along with the discharge, and you should see your health care provider promptly.
How to treat brown discharge
Treatment for brown discharge depends on the underlying cause, so it’s important to see your doctor to get to the bottom of your symptoms. Don’t try to self-diagnose and self-treat, says UpToDate.com. Delaying care or using an inappropriate treatment method could make the problem worse.
If the brown discharge just happens for a day or two around the end of your period, it’s no biggie and no treatment is needed, Dr. LoPiano says. (If this is the case, using a gentle feminine wash in the shower can help you feel fresh.) But if you’re getting brown discharge before your period, or at other times, you may need to adjust your birth control regimen or start treatment for an underlying health concern.
When to see a doctor
It’s generally good practice to let your doctor know any time you have new or unusual discharge or bleeding, especially if it’s happening outside your period, says Dr. LoPiano. That’s especially true if you’re dealing with additional symptoms like pain, burning, or itching, which are pretty good bets you’ve got some kind of infection that requires treatment.
FAQ
Why is my discharge brown and smelly?
It’s normal for brown discharge to have a slightly metallic odor. “That’s due to the iron content in the blood,” Dr. LoPiano says. If the discharge has a foul or fishy smell, it could be a sign of an infection. If you’re unsure of the cause, make an appointment with your OB/GYN. And in the meantime, try to wash your vagina with fragrance-free, non-irritating products.
What STD causes brown discharge?
Sometimes trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection in your vagina, can cause brown discharge. It happens when the parasite makes little scratches on your vaginal tissue, which can cause bleeding, per the Cleveland Clinic. This uncomfortable infection can also cause white, yellow, or greenish discharge that’s foamy and smells bad. You’ll want to see your doctor ASAP if you have any of these symptoms.
Does light brown discharge mean ovulation?
Ovulation—i.e., when your ovary releases an egg—usually happens midway through your cycle. Some people will feel pain in their lower abdomen when ovulating, and on rare occasions, it’s also possible to have some spotting (which is usually pinkish or reddish). The symptoms typically last about a day or less, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Does stress cause brown discharge?
Chronic stress can potentially make your period irregular, according to Planned Parenthood. That might mean you skip a period or get spotting, which could come in the form of pink, red, or brown discharge.
Why is it brown when I wipe after peeing?
Seeing brown after wiping when you pee is usually a sign of brown discharge. If it happens at the tail end of your period, it’s no big deal. But if you’re having it at other times during your cycle, let your doctor know.
