Blood that stays in the uterus long enough will react with oxygen oxidize. Blood that has had time to oxidize appears darker. In this article, we present a period blood chart and discuss what the different colors of period blood can mean. We also cover color changes during a period, what clots mean, and when to see a doctor. The color is typically a sign of old blood or blood that has taken longer to leave the uterus and has had time to oxidize, first turning brown or dark red and then eventually becoming black.
Other symptoms of a vaginal blockage can include:. Like black blood, brown or dark red is a sign of old blood, and it may appear at the beginning or end of a period. Brown or dark red blood has not had as long to oxidize as black blood and can appear in a variety of shades.
Brown blood or spotting can sometimes also be an early sign of pregnancy that doctors refer to as implantation bleeding. Brown discharge or spotting during pregnancy can indicate a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, which is when the fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube instead of the uterus. It is important for women who experience spotting or vaginal bleeding during pregnancy to speak to their doctor or obstetrician. Dark red or brown vaginal discharge that occurs after giving birth is called lochia, or postpartum bleeding.
Lochia typically begins with bright red blood and then transitions to a darker shade as the flow decreases. Over time, the discharge will then become lighter in both color and amount. The duration of lochia varies from person to person, but it usually passes within the first few months after delivery. Women who experience very heavy bleeding after giving birth should see a doctor. Not all women experience lochia after giving birth. Women may also experience irregular periods after giving birth due to changes in hormone levels.
Bright red blood indicates fresh blood and a steady flow. A period may start with bright red bleeding and darken towards the end of the period. Some people may find that their blood stays bright red throughout their period. Unusual spotting or bleeding between menstrual cycles may be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection , such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. Growths in the uterine lining, called polyps or fibroids , can also cause unusually heavy bleeding.
Rarely, bright red bleeding may be a sign of cervical cancer. Other symptoms of cervical cancer include:. Using hormonal birth control can lower estrogen levels in the body, which can lead to a lighter flow with a pinkish hue during periods. Sexual intercourse can create small tears in the vagina or the cervix. But when you start to see brown blood that isn't related to your cycle, it can be cause for concern. Brown period blood outside of your typical cycle or after sex, for example, could be a sign of a yeast, bacterial, or sexually transmitted infections, or even an issue related to early pregnancy, like miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, says Pamela D.
Berens, M. PCOS also usually causes women to skip cycles for an extended period of time, allowing the uterine lining to grow increasingly thicker and unstable, which can then lead to irregular spotting or darker discharge between periods a. If you're worried about your period blood—or if that brown blood is not linked to your menstrual cycle like, if it shows up totally unannounced —it's important to see your ob-gyn, ASAP, to find out what's going on.
So, good news for you Weight Loss. United States. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. Taraji P. Anyone who experiences implantation bleeding following unprotected sex should take a pregnancy test. Anyone who is pregnant and experiences dark brown discharge should speak to a doctor. However, brown discharge during pregnancy is not usually a cause for concern. In rare cases, it may indicate an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. For those people in their 40s or 50s, brown discharge before a period may be a sign of perimenopause.
Perimenopause is the transition period before menopause when periods stop. Other symptoms may include:. There are some other more serious causes of brown discharge. These may occur at any age regardless of whether there is a pregnancy. They are likely to be accompanied by other symptoms. Pelvic inflammatory disease PID is an infection of the cervix and uterus that can cause brown discharge. Anyone who thinks they might have PID should speak to their doctor.
If the doctor diagnoses PID, they may prescribe antibiotics to treat it. Brown discharge before a period may indicate a sexually transmitted disease STD , such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Not all people with STDs experience symptoms, which is why it is essential for all sexually-active people to be tested regularly for STDs.
Most STDs are easy to treat, although some are more serious and require more involved treatment. Treatment may include a course of antibiotics. Bad-smelling brown discharge can occur if a foreign object gets left in the vagina accidentally.
Objects that can cause this might include:. Anyone who notices a brown discharge with an odor should see their doctor, as they may have a retained object or vaginal infection.
PCOS is a hormonal imbalance. It may cause a brown discharge from irregular, light bleeding. Other symptoms can include:. PCOS is not uncommon. Those who suspect that they may have PCOS should speak to their doctor. There is a range of treatments available. Some treatments for PCOS may make it harder to get pregnant. A doctor can advise on the most suitable treatment for those who do want to get pregnant. Brown discharge may be a symptom of cervical cancer , but this is extremely rare.
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