Brown spotting how old is the blood

Signs of ectopic pregnancy include light bleeding and spotting, severe abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, and lightheadedness. Regular Pap smears and gynecologic care can help prevent and detect any early signs of cervical cancer.

Every person with a vagina between the ages of 21 and 65 should get these tests to stay proactive. This is due to a process called oxidation, where oxygen binds with hemoglobin a protein in your blood cells.

This changes the color of old blood from red to brown. So, if your menstrual blood takes a few extra days to exit your vagina, it might be brown by the time you see it. Black period blood can be a sign of oxidation combined with heavy bleeding. Black blood that occurs outside the window of your period, combined with a foul odor or abdominal discomfort, could be a warning sign of an STI.

This usually means you are beginning to bleed from your menstrual cycle, and that blood is mixing with other discharge to create a brown color. It might be thick, sticky, or rubber-like in consistency.

No worries, though—your period should still continue as normal. You may just be having some slight irregularities in your cycle. When someone starts a new hormonal treatment or birth control, sometimes their period is replaced with brown discharge or light spotting for the next several months as their body adjusts. Brown discharge instead of menstruation could also be a sign of implantation bleeding in early pregnancy. Brown discharge instead of your period could be an early sign of pregnancy.

About one to two weeks after a fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining which occurs during ovulation , you may notice some pink or brown blood from implantation bleeding. In rare cases, dark brown discharge during pregnancy can be a sign of miscarriage. Other possible signs of miscarriage include cramps, so if you are experiencing cramping along with unusual discharge, it may be worth calling your doctor. This is called lochia. If you notice brown discharge with a strong, unpleasant odor, you should speak with your doctor as it could be the sign of a vaginal infection like and STI or a retained foreign object such as a tampon.

Retained foreign objects can result in serious infections and need prompt evaluation in person. To prevent infections that can cause abnormal discharge—usually characterized by a four odor and gray or green color—vaginal hygiene is important:. They may consider prescribing a new birth control method with higher estrogen that can help stop the spotting. Hormonal contraception can also help manage chronic menstrual pain from conditions like PCOS or endometriosis.

Men and women can also be vaccinated against human papillomavirus HPV , the most common cause of cervical cancer. However, if the brown discharge lasts for several weeks, frequently happens after sex, has an unpleasant smell, or occurs after your menopause, you should speak to your doctor.

Additionally, if you experience any of the symptoms below alongside brown discharge, you should consult with your doctor:. Did you know you can get affordable primary care with the K Health app?

Download K to check your symptoms , explore conditions and treatments, and if needed text with a doctor in minutes.

K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. Patterns and predictors of vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy. Vaginal Discharge. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

She completed her residency in emergency medicine at Christiana Care Health System. Weight Loss. United States. Presented by. Type keyword s to search. What exactly is discharge, anyway?

So, why is mine brown? Amanda Becker. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Emilia Benton Emilia Benton is a Houston-based freelance writer and editor. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses.

You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano. 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. According to the National Cancer Institute, cervical cancer only affects around 0.

In the unlikely event that the cause of brown discharge is cervical cancer, other symptoms may include:. The first test a doctor will carry out for cervical cancer is a Pap test. This can detect abnormal cells in the cervix. If a doctor detects abnormal cells, they might examine the cervix using a magnifying instrument.

They may then take a tissue sample for testing in a laboratory. For those who do have cervical cancer, a doctor will carry out some imaging tests to determine its stage. Treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy , or chemotherapy. Brown discharge is unlikely to be a cause for concern and usually does not require a trip to the doctor. Sometimes, brown discharge may indicate a more serious condition.