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dark discharge after period

by Herbert Reichert DDS Published 3 years ago Updated 1 year ago

The brown color is the result of oxidation, which is a normal process. It happens when your blood comes into contact with air. You may notice your period blood becomes darker or brown near the end of your period. Some women experience brown discharge for a day or two after their period ends.Jul 8, 2019

Full Answer

What causes black discharge before period?

What causes black period blood?

  1. Normal period. During your period, it is normal to see black blood coming out of your vagina before the start or after your period.
  2. Uterine fibroid. These are abnormal growth in the uterusthat can be small or huge affecting fertility in women sometimes.
  3. Uterine polyps. ...
  4. Hormonal imbalance. ...
  5. Ovulation. ...
  6. Pregnancy

Is it normal to have dark discharge before period?

Dark Brown Discharge Before Period May Be a Bigger Problem. In most cases, women do not need to worry about having a dark brown vaginal discharge before period. However, there are some medical conditions and infections that can cause this kind of symptom and it should be checked by a medical specialist.

What does discharge look like before your period?

  • Increased amount of discharge before your period or after your period.
  • Discharge from the vagina that looks yellow, gray, or green.
  • Cervical mucus that gives off a strong offensive smell.
  • Itching around the vagina opening.
  • Signs of a vaginal infection like swollen labia, redness, or pain when urinating.

More items...

Why am I getting brown discharge before my period?

What Causes Brown Spotting Before My Period?

  • Menstruation. Brown spotting is often just sign of ovulation or your actual period starting. ...
  • Birth control. If you use hormonal birth control, brown spotting may be a sign of breakthrough bleeding. ...
  • Pregnancy. Sometimes, brown spotting before your period is actually implantation bleeding. ...
  • Perimenopause. ...
  • Underlying health conditions. ...
  • The bottom line. ...

Why does my vagina have black discharge?

Black discharge may be a sign that a foreign object is stuck in your vagina. This can happen if you accidentally put in a second tampon or forget about one at the end of your period.

How long does a black discharge last?

Black discharge at the start and end of your period usually isn’t a reason to worry. A typical period may last anywhere from 3 to 10 days and happen every 3 to 6 weeks. Periods can be different from month to month.

What does it mean when your vagina is black?

Black discharge may mean that older blood is leaving the uterus or vaginal canal. Heavy vaginal discharge of any color with a foul odor is also a symptom of these infections. Other symptoms include: bleeding during or after sexual intercourse. painful urination. pain or pressure in your pelvis. vaginal itching.

Why does my menstrual blood turn black?

Retained menses (hematocolpos) happens when menstrual blood is blocked from leaving the uterus, cervix, or vagina. As a result, the blood may turn black over the time it’s retained. The blockage may be caused by anything from a congenital issue with the hymen, vaginal septum, or in rare cases absence of a cervix (cervical agenesis).

What happens when you have your period?

Beginning or end of your period. Your menstrual flow may be slower at the beginning and end of your period. As a result, the blood in your uterus may take longer to exit your body and change from the standard red to a dark brown or black.

How do you know if you have a cervix infection?

Other symptoms you may experience: foul-smelling discharge. itching or discomfort in and around the vagina. swelling or rash around the genitals. trouble urinating. fever. Objects can’t get lost or travel to the uterus or abdomen. Your cervix, which is located at the top of the vaginal canal, has only a small opening.

Why does my uterus turn brown?

You may see this color throughout your cycle, usually around the time of your regular menstrual period. When blood takes extra time to exit the uterus, it oxidizes. This can cause it to appear a shade of brown to dark brown or black in color. It may even resemble coffee grounds. There are some cases, though, where black discharge is a reason ...

Why does my period have brown discharge?

Hormonal imbalances may cause spotting or bleeding between periods , which can cause brown discharge. Certain factors can change hormone levels and cause abnormal bleeding from the uterus. These include:

When does brown discharge occur?

It is common for a person to have brown vaginal discharge a few days before their period, as well as a few days after it. When it occurs before, it is likely a light, early flow.

Why is my period brown?

While brown discharge may be a normal part of the menstrual cycle, it could be a symptom of an underlying condition. There are several potential causes of brown discharge or spotting. While it is very common leading up to and immediately following a period, it does have other possible causes. These can be benign or may require medical attention.

How long does menopause last?

Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause. According to the North American Menopause Society, it can last for 4–8 years. Perimenopause symptoms can include night sweats, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes.

What to do if you have brown discharge during pregnancy?

If a person notices brown discharge during pregnancy, they should talk to their doctor.

Why is my baby's discharge brown?

In later pregnancy, brown discharge could be a sign of issues with the placenta or preterm labor.

How long does it take for a baby to bleed after birth control?

Certain birth control methods may cause spotting or some brown discharge. For instance, a person may experience irregular bleeding or spotting for about 3–6 months following the placement of an intrauterine device (IUD).

Why is my discharge black after my period?

In some women, not all endometrial cells are expelled by uterine contraction during menstruation. Some blood may stay longer in the uterus, get deoxygenated and turn black leading to black discharge. You should not worry if you notice dark discharge right after your period has ended as it clears out in few days.

Why does my uterus discharge black?

It does not mean you have any medical issues. In some women, it lasts for a few days and could signify your uterus is not contracting very well during menstruation.

What color is blood without oxygen?

If blood contains oxygen, it is bright red in color while blood without oxygen is dark or brown colored (deoxygenated blood) Any vaginal bleeding that occurs in your uterus and stays back for a while becomes deoxygenated and black in color. This may eventually result in black discharge.

Why do women get black discharge?

Black discharge occurs in women for many reasons. If you’ve had unprotected sexual intercourse, it could be pregnancy. Other causes could be cervical narrowing and obstruction, uterine fibroids, endometrial cancer or vaginal infections. But don’t panic; Most women get black discharge once in a while.

Why does my vagina smell different?

If you notice your vaginal discharge has a different odor and color, it’s likely you have an infection down there. Common causes of infections are chlamydia, gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis and sometimes a yeast infection.

What happens to the embryo after fertilization?

After fertilization, the embryo still had to be moved into the body of the uterus, where it starts growing. Within the uterus, the embryo embeds into the blood thickened endometrial lining that covers the inner part of your womb. This may result in bleeding and black vaginal discharge.

What does it mean when your follicles are black?

If you notice black discharge a week after the end of period, it could mean you’re ovulating. During ovulation, different follicle develops with rupture of the most dominant follicle. This may cause black discharge and usually occurs 2 weeks before your next period. 5.

Why is my discharge brown after my period?

Some of the reasons for spots of brown discharge after your period can be due to ovulation, stress, or taking birth control. In some cases, implantation bleeding can cause rust-colored discharge a couple of weeks after your period has finished.

How long does it take for a brown discharge to occur?

Brown discharge that occurs 7 to 14 days after your period could mean that you are ovulating. Usually, the menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, and about 2 weeks after the start of your monthly cycle your body will release an egg. However, the menstrual cycle may be shorter or longer depending on what is regular for you.

Why does my lower back hurt after my period?

Doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that along with spotting between periods, uterine fibroids can cause heavier than usual menstrual bleeding, frequent urination, and pain in your lower back.

Why does my underwear turn brown after my period?

However, if you notice brown discharge on your underwear after your period with other symptoms like abdominal cramping or an irregular period, this can be a sign of another health problem like ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids. Advertisement.

Why does my period have brown spots?

Perimenopause. As you approach the menopause, your periods become less regular and this can cause some brown discharge after your period. Irregular periods or a light menstrual flow can mean that blood isn’t expelled quickly. This can cause brown spotting at the end or after your period.

How long does it take for implantation bleeding to occur?

According to Dr. Traci Johnson on WebMD, implantation bleeding occurs around a week to 12 days after conception.

What causes brown discharge?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) An infection in your reproductive organs can cause vaginal discharge that looks brown along with other symptoms. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a bacterial infection that results in inflammation, foul-smelling discharge, pain when urinating, and irregular periods. Advertisement.

Why is my period black?

Here are eight possible causes of black period blood: 1. It’s the beginning (or end) of a period. Blood flow tends to be slightly slower at the beginning and end of a period. The longer it takes for blood to leave the body, the more time it has to oxidize and turn into black period blood. 2.

What happens if you have a black period?

Aside from black period blood, an infection might cause other symptoms, such as: Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. Discomfort or itching in or around the vagina. Rash or swelling of the genital area. Fever.

How long does it take for implantation bleeding to appear?

Dark blood after implantation bleeding is very rare, though. Implantation bleeding sometimes appears 10 to 14 days after a fertilized egg implants itself into the uterine lining.

What is retained menses?

Retained menses (hematocolpos) is when menstrual blood cannot leave the vaginal canal and fills the vagina, slowly growing darker over time . Congenital conditions of the vaginal septum or hymen are frequently responsible for this vaginal blockage.

How long does it take for a baby to bleed?

Normal vaginal bleeding that continues six to eight weeks after childbirth is referred to as lochia. It starts out as a heavy flow that’s reddish in color and contains small blood clots, then slows down after a few days. In the early days, abundant blood can become oxidized and turn so dark that it might seem almost black.

What does dark brown period blood mean?

Lastly, dark brown or black period blood might also indicate other underlying health issues such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, or an ectopic pregnancy.

How long does a period last?

Normal menstrual bleeding lasts two to seven days and occurs about every 21 to 35 days. Black period blood outside of this window may be irregular and needs to be discussed with a health care provider.

Why is my discharge brown?

The first cause for brown discharge could be early menopause. Spotting after your period is part of the transition from regular menstrual cycle to menopause. As long as it is not accompanied by cramping and heavy bleeding, you don't have to worry about anything serious.

What does brown discharge mean?

One area of concern regarding brown discharge is that it could be blood from some kind of damages to one of the reproductive organs. You may have had a polyp or an abrasion that occurred on the uterus or the cervix.

Is brown discharge after period serious?

Most of the time, brown discharge after period is not anything serious to worry about. So in dealing with a brown discharge, sometimes waiting for a short time will help to eliminate this condition.

Is it normal to have brown discharge after your period?

It is normal to find some brown spotting after your period, especially if your period is late. After your delayed period, your body has to clean the remaining shedding of uterus lining, which could cause brown discharge. There is no need to worry but if it continues and appears to get heavy, contact your physician.

Why does my vagina discharge?

In most people, infections or hormonal imbalances are responsible for unusual changes in vaginal discharge. Medication may be necessary.

How many days does it take for a woman to discharge?

At the beginning of the cycle, discharge is usually red or bloody, as the body sheds the uterine lining. Days 6–14 .

What does BV mean in the vagina?

BV usually causes other vaginal symptoms as well, including: itching. irritation. a strong odor. redness around the vulva or vaginal opening. Anyone with gray discharge should promptly see a doctor. Following diagnosis, the doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat the BV.

Why is my discharge red?

The shade of red can vary from bright to a dark rust color. Red discharge is most commonly the result of bleeding during a period.

When does the cervical mucus become cloudy?

Days 6–14. Following a period, a person may notice less vaginal discharge than usual. As the egg starts to develop and mature, the cervical mucus will become cloudy and white or yellow. It may feel sticky. Days 14–25.

What does it mean when your discharge is yellow?

Discharge that is a darker shade of yellow, yellowish-green, or green usually signals a bacterial or sexually transmitted infection.

What happens if you don't have a period for a year?

Anyone who has gone through menopause and not had a period for at least 1 year should see a doctor if they experience vaginal bleeding. It can sometimes be a sign of endometrial cancer.

Why does my discharge smell after my period?

Another reason for smelly discharge after period could be a forgotten tampon. You may not believe this but this is quite common in a large number of females. Some females forget the tampon in its place during the last day of menses and the tampon festers leading to a smelly vaginal discharge.

Why does my period have a greenish discharge?

Smelly greenish discharge: If you have strong smelly greenish discharge after periods then it is possible that you are suffering from trichomoniasis caused by infection with Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis is an amoebic infection that is potentially harmless.

Why does my period smell fishy?

Gray/off-white creamy discharge that smells fishy: If the smelly discharge after period is off-white or gray in color, is creamy and smells fishy, then it could be from bacterial vaginosis.

Why does my vagina smell like it's burning?

Moreover, if this smelly discharge is associated with a sensation of burning in the vagina, then it could be due to Chlamydia infection. In such cases it is recommended to get tested at the earliest because Chlamydia, if not treated early could result in infertility. 3. Smelly greenish discharge: If you have strong smelly greenish discharge ...

Why does my discharge smell brown after menses?

5. Smelly, brown discharge: If you experience smelly, brown discharge after menses, then it is quite possible that it is caused by some bacteria. It is recommended to get yourself checked with a gynecologist to find the underlying cause of the problem.

Why does my vagina smell white after menses?

1. Smelly white discharge: If you have a smelly white discharge after menses, then there is a possibility of a thrush or a yeast infection due to Candida albicans. This occurs when the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina is altered by the hormonal changes, leading to multiplication of the fungi. Your body’s hormonal balance is disturbed, ...

Why do you have to pass urine after sex?

Pass urine after having sex as it removes bacteria from inside and outside the vaginal canal. If not removed, bad bacteria can move up to bladder leading to infections. To prevent spreading of bowel bacteria it is recommended to wipe from front to back.

What Causes White Discharge After a Period?

During a woman’s menstrual cycle, the brain and ovaries give instructions to the reproductive system. This causes what are considered the female sex hormones—estrogen and progesterone —to rise and fall during each phase of the cycle. Vaginal discharge created by the glands in the cervix and vagina is influenced by the change in hormones.

Different Kinds of White Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal discharge keeps the vagina clean and provides lubrication or moisture. It’s normally clear, white, off-white, or pale yellow. It may have a subtle scent but does not have a strong, unpleasant, or foul odor.

When to See a Doctor

If you have any of the following changes in vaginal discharge color or accompanying symptoms, see your healthcare provider: 5

Summary

Healthy vaginal discharge varies in color and consistency due to hormonal fluctuations. It varies based on factors such as birth control ( oral contraceptives ), a woman’s monthly cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.

A Word From Verywell

Experiencing white vaginal discharge is a normal part of being a woman. Understanding different types of vaginal discharge is one of the first steps in taking charge of your sexual and reproductive health. Being aware helps you notice if anything changes. If you do have unusual changes, call your primary healthcare provider or gynecologist.

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