Vaginal discharge may be normal or indicate an intimate infection.
In a healthy woman, mucus helps moisturize the vagina, it is thick and milky white or transparent and stretchy - it all depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle. All other types of discharge, except menstrual discharge, indicate problems in the intimate area.
Normal vaginal discharge contains 99% lactobacilli, which have a beneficial effect on the bacterial flora of the vagina, and 1% are pathogenic microorganisms such as intestinal bacteria or Staphylococcus aureus. When the balance of the bacterial flora is disturbed and the level of pathogenic microorganisms increases, we can talk about the occurrence of an intimate infection, the most common symptom of which is discharge with an abnormal color and an unpleasant odor.
Brown discharge in women
Those who are getting acquainted with the work of our clinic for the first time may wonder why we have identified menstrual cycle disorders as a separate, special area of our work. After all, general gynecology is largely related to this problem. There are two reasons. The first concerns the widespread nature of the problem. Statistics clearly state that menstrual irregularities occur at least once in every (every!) woman. The second part concerns completely different causes, and therefore completely different approaches to treatment. More on this below.
Brown secretion in diseases
So should you be worried if you notice brown discharge 4 or 5 days before your period? Gynecologists unanimously say that leucorrhoea, “burdened” with concomitant symptoms, indicates disturbances in the functioning of not only the reproductive system, but also the entire body.
Manifestations of diseases of the genitourinary system that accompany discharge before the calendar start of menstruation include:
- Pain syndrome radiating to the coccyx and groin area.
- Menstruation with blood clots and mucus.
- Discomfort in the groin area.
- The presence of a putrid or pungent odor in the discharge.
- The presence of brown mucus before menstruation with a green and yellow tint.
- Presence of blood clots in the smear.
- An increase in leukocytes in a standard urine test and a urine test according to Nechiporenko.
- Consolidation and heaviness in the lower abdomen.
- Difficulty while urinating.
- Redness of the labia.
- Instability of the emotional background.
- Menstruation is irregular and intermittent.
Causes of brown discharge in women
Brown discharge before menstruation is the main sign of hormonal imbalances and hidden infections. The main symptoms of brown discharge during menstruation:
- unstable emotional state, irritability, attacks of depression;
- disorders associated with the menstrual cycle, in which the discharge may be scanty or abundant, causing discomfort or pain;
- uterine bleeding;
- lack of sexual desire;
- diseases of the mammary glands;
- excessive growth of body hair or, on the contrary, hair loss;
- excess weight;
- presence of constant headaches;
- dizziness;
- swelling;
- lack of appetite.
Hormonal imbalance - brown discharge after menstruation, in the middle or early stages of pregnancy in women can lead to serious consequences, this can lead to infertility, as well as various diseases, such as diabetes, tumors, atherosclerosis, asthma. Therefore, if you have several of the symptoms described above, you need to consult a specialist, since only a correct and timely diagnosis can bring your hormonal levels back to normal.
At the AndroMeda clinic, therapeutic therapy will be selected individually based on the results of tests and diagnostics, so self-medication in this case can have a detrimental effect on a woman’s health.
During what periods can brown discharge appear and for what reason could it be?
Before and after menstruation
During these periods, menstrual bleeding is light. When bleeding is heavy, the blood is usually scarlet in color, but when it slows down, the blood oxidizes and turns brown or even black. If you notice brown discharge these days, then this is absolutely normal.
In the middle of the cycle
A small number of women experience spotting during ovulation. The amount of discharge is small and may also be pinkish in color. Usually, small spotting in the middle of the cycle occurs in young girls, in women taking oral contraceptives and in women approaching menopause. If you have such discharge, then it is worth visiting a doctor to make sure that it is not a symptom of the disease. Other signs of ovulation: profuse leucorrhoea, similar in texture to egg white, mild pain in the lower abdomen (may only hurt on one side), change in basal temperature.
Instead of menstruation
Perhaps your cycle is a little off (a difference of up to 7 days is absolutely normal). If your normal periods do not occur, you should consult a gynecologist.
During pregnancy
Brownish discharge may be a sign of pregnancy. Often, slight bleeding occurs 10-14 days after fertilization, when the egg strengthens on the wall of the uterus (implantation occurs). Other signs of early pregnancy: tender, painful breasts, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, fatigue. If you think you might be pregnant and you have brown discharge instead of your period or your period is late, it's best to take a home test. If the test is positive, then you need to visit a gynecologist to confirm the result and plan further actions.
When taking oral contraceptives (OC)
Some OCs can cause brown discharge during menstruation and in the middle of the cycle. OCs affect the level of sex hormones, so such changes are most often normal in this case. Brown discharge occurs especially often in the first months of taking OCs. If brown discharge without pain or odor continues for more than 3 months after starting to take OK, you should consult a doctor and change the medication.
Causes of brown discharge in the middle of the menstrual cycle
There may be several of them, the most common causes of spotting bloody brown discharge in women include:
- The most common, banal, but ineradicable cause is infections of the pelvic organs.
- Next in prevalence is the situation when cycle irregularity is caused by general hormonal disorders.
- But hormonal imbalances can also be localized in the ovaries themselves - this is a completely different mechanism of occurrence, and therefore treatment.
- Finally, past rubella and chicken pox; these diseases can affect the process of laying follicles and in this case, cycle disturbances sometimes appear from its initial start.
But the most difficult thing is when discharge after menstruation or cycle disturbances are caused by a whole complex of reasons, in this case, an analysis of the woman’s condition and a decision on the need to take certain measures require a specialist to have a lot of experience.
White vaginal discharge - what does this mean?
The content of the article
White vaginal discharge is completely normal. The problem arises when they acquire a dense consistency that begins to resemble cottage cheese, and numerous lumps appear in them. Such symptoms may indicate an infection of the yeast (fungus) Candida albicans, which colonizes the vagina, perineal area, labia and anus, also causing additional problems.
The most common symptoms of thrush include persistent itching and burning in the intimate area and vagina, redness and swelling of the labia, and a feeling of dryness in the vagina. Usually the white discharge from a yeast infection does not have a bad odor, but sometimes you may notice a yeast-like odor.
White vaginal discharge
How to treat white vaginal discharge? First of all, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist who will prescribe suppositories or ointments with antifungal substances. Most often, the use of both forms of medication is required - suppositories heal the infection in the vagina and restore the normal microflora of the genital tract, while ointments applied to the labia and anal area minimize unpleasant symptoms - itching and burning.
How can we help?
Take another look at the list of reasons and you will understand that in this case you should under no circumstances rely on the advice of friends for whom some miracle cure helped so well in “exactly the same case.”
If we are talking about an infection, then anti-inflammatory treatment is necessary. A hormonal disorder requires examination of the thyroid gland. In this case, the possible frequency of infectious diseases in childhood (up to 12 years) should be taken into account. Indeed, in this case, it is precisely this circumstance, the so-called infectious index, that is very important for correct diagnosis.
Diagnosis and treatment
Based on medical experience, to establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment when brown secretion appears, you must undergo the following examinations:
- Ultrasound of the reproductive system;
- general analysis of urine and blood;
- tests to determine the state of hormonal levels;
- urine test according to Nechiporenko;
- vaginal scraping to determine the presence or absence of pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
The therapy is complex and includes the use of:
- antibiotics of various spectrum of action;
- IVs;
- vaginal suppositories;
- hormonal drugs;
- physiotherapy.
The appointment must be made exclusively by a certified specialist.
Where to treat spotting brown discharge in women in St. Petersburg?
The AndroMeda Clinic has earned a reputation as one of the most effective and modern medical centers offering services in St. Petersburg. First of all, this is, of course, trained and very experienced personnel. And then fully equipped with all the necessary means without exception.
An individual approach to working with each visitor, comfortable conditions for receiving our specialists, when taking tests or going through the necessary procedures - all this allows us to achieve complete satisfaction, and therefore customer trust.
Causes of spotting
If you smear brown before your period, it is important to correctly identify the reasons. Sometimes the problem lies in a disease of the reproductive system, and sometimes it is associated with normal hormonal changes. Sometimes brown spotting may occur during pregnancy.
Spotting a week before your period may appear due to the natural aging of uterine tissue. When their particles separate, small capillaries rupture, which leads to minor blood entering the genital tract. As a result, the woman will find traces of brown smear on her underwear.
The appearance of a brownish secretion is possible after a woman has had an intrauterine device installed. She may notice traces of brownish mucus on her underwear. They appear due to damage to the delicate lining of the uterus during the installation of the IUD. If the pathological phenomenon does not go away, it is necessary to urgently remove the device from the uterine cavity.
The reasons for brown spotting before menstruation in young girls who have recently started their cycle may lie in hormonal instability. Until the functioning of the reproductive system improves, an unusual secretion from the vagina is the norm. The situation should recover after 6–7 menstrual cycles.
If the onset of regulation continues to be accompanied by brown spotting, urgent medical consultation is required.
Ovulation can also cause brownish vaginal discharge. This is not considered a pathology. During the maturation of the egg, the follicle ruptures, during which microscopic vessels are damaged and minor hemorrhage occurs.
Diagnostics
Symptoms may vary, but an accurate diagnosis can only be made by a specialist after examination and obtaining the results of the necessary laboratory tests. It is better to visit a gynecologist during the period when unusual discharge appears. This will give the doctor the opportunity to take biomaterial for analysis.
In order for the clinical picture to be correctly drawn up, it is necessary to describe in detail all the symptoms that have arisen. The doctor will examine the woman using gynecological speculum and give the necessary directions. Ultrasound, flora and infection tests may be required.
