Brown discharge: Everything you need to know

Noticed brown discharge in your underwear and feeling a little puzzled? You’re not alone.

You might already know that vaginal discharge (or cervical mucus) is pretty clever. It keeps your vagina healthy and changes in consistency and color depending on where you are in your cycle.

Normal discharge is clear to white and doesn’t have a strong odor. So seeing brown, especially outside of menstruation, might give you pause. Is it an early period or something else? Here’s what could be going on according to Dr. Jenna Beckham, obstetrician, gynecologist, and complex family planning specialist, WakeMed Health and Hospitals and Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, North Carolina, US.

Key takeaways: Everything you need to know about brown discharge

• Brown discharge is caused by oxidized blood mixed with normal discharge. 
• Some of us experience spotting during ovulation, which can present as brown discharge.
• Brown discharge can also happen if you take hormonal birth control, around perimenopause, or in early pregnancy. 
• See a doctor if the discharge seems unusual for you or if it’s paired with symptoms like pain, itching, odor, or fever.

What is brown discharge? 

Brown discharge happens when a bit of blood mixes with your vaginal fluid, resulting in a brownish color in your underwear. Sometimes it’s just old blood hanging around from your period, but other times there’s more to the story. Dr. Beckham breaks it down for us.

Common causes of brown discharge

“Brown discharge is often related to some old or small amount of blood being present,” she explains. “Old blood becomes darker the longer it stays outside of blood vessels. This is due to a process called oxidation that occurs when blood comes into contact with oxygen.” So when red blood oxidizes, it looks brown.

Here’s why brown discharge might pop up:

Early or late stages of the menstrual cycle

If your flow is lighter at the start of your period, then your discharge may appear pink or brown. You might also experience brown discharge after your period. 

“When your period is about to start or finish up, the lighter bleeding may mix with discharge and appear brown,” explains Dr. Beckham. 

Ovulation

Ovulation (when an egg is released from your ovary) comes with hormonal changes that can cause some of your uterine lining to shed. This, in turn, can cause brown discharge. Some people notice a bit of cramping too.

Pregnancy 

While it might not be the sign you think of instantly, brown discharge can also be linked to pregnancy. It could be something called implantation bleeding. This may happen when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. However, as implantation bleeding can align with the time you might expect your period, you might mistake it for your period, especially if your flow is usually light.

“Some people experience implantation bleeding early in pregnancy, so some light red or brown discharge may be a sign,” says Dr. Beckham. “However, given that there are many other causes of brown discharge, it can often happen when you are not pregnant.”

Bleeding during pregnancy (especially during your 1st trimester) can be fairly common and isn’t always something to worry about. However, bleeding or bloody discharge could also signify a complication. So, if you notice a change in the color, texture, or smell of your vaginal discharge during pregnancy, speak to a health care professional. 

Birth control or hormonal changes

If you’re on a form of birth control where you have a pause or take placebo pills (such as combined birth control pills), then you might notice some light brown discharge or bleeding at that time. This is known as withdrawal bleeding, which is different from a real period.

It’s totally normal and happens for two reasons: hormonal fluctuations and the way birth control affects the lining of your uterus. It’s also quite common to experience brown discharge if you use other hormonal contraceptives like the hormonal intrauterine device. 

After sex

If you’ve had hard or vigorous penetrative sex, then you may notice some spotting or brown discharge afterward. This can be scary, but fear not. You may have experienced some tearing or bleeding from your vagina, and this will usually heal on its own, says Dr. Beckham. Vaginal dryness can also cause bleeding during or after sex. If vaginal dryness is the culprit, a good lubricant can work wonders.

Lochia (postpartum discharge)

If you have just given birth, you might experience a type of postpartum discharge and bleeding called lochia. This can be quite heavy in the first few days and can be similar to a heavy period with dark red blood and clots. 

Lochia may gradually become lighter in color and flow. It may turn pinkish or brown before becoming creamy yellowish white. If you’re at all concerned about bleeding after giving birth; your discharge is greenish or has a strong, unpleasant smell; you have a fever; or it’s accompanied by heavy bleeding, get in touch with your doctor right away.

Perimenopause 

If you’re in your late 30s, 40s, or 50s, you may enter perimenopause, the transition through menopause. As your cycle becomes more irregular, brown discharge and spotting are more likely to occur. Keep an eye out for other perimenopause symptoms, such as:

• Hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness
• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• A change in your sex drive 

Infections and medical conditions 

Spotting or brown discharge can sometimes also be the result of an infection called bacterial vaginosis. Usually, it presents as a grayish discharge, but some people find it looks brownish when it dries in your underwear. It’s almost always accompanied by a fishy odor, which might be more noticeable after your period or sex. So if you notice this smell, it’s time to call a health care professional. Luckily, it’s easily treated with antibiotics. 

There’s also an infection called pelvic inflammatory disease that’s worth knowing about. This can sometimes cause unusual discharge that might look brown. It’s also associated with pelvic pain, abdominal pain, and painful urination. If you experience any of these symptoms, pay your doctor a visit.

STIs

Unusual discharge could signal a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. There’s also an STI called trichomoniasis that can cause blood in your discharge. It can cause a fishy odor too, as well as symptoms like burning, irritation, redness, and swelling of the vulva. Some people experience pain when they pee too. Trichomoniasis is typically treated by taking medication called metronidazole.

When should you be concerned about brown discharge? 

Brown discharge is often nothing to worry about, but it’s worth seeking medical advice if it’s accompanied by other symptoms. 

“Brown discharge should be concerning if it’s associated with pain, abnormal odor, itching, or other more severe symptoms like fevers, chills, nausea, or vomiting,” says Dr. Beckham. This could be a sign of an infection.

How to address brown discharge 

Keeping track of your discharge using an app like Flo is a great way of getting to know your body better and learning what’s normal for you. 

If you notice anything out of the ordinary, it’s worth chatting with your doctor. They’ll be happy to help.