Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsVaginal DischargeSpotting ColorsEndometriosis SymptomsInfections and EndometriosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Vaginal Discharge

Spotting Colors

Endometriosis Symptoms

Infections and Endometriosis

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Frequently Asked Questions

Endometriosisvaries in symptoms and severity. Some people may experience spotting between menstrual periods, severe pain with menstruation, or bladder problems, and others will have vague symptoms like cramps.

This article will discuss spotting as a symptom of endometriosis and the difference between vaginal spotting and discharge.

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What Is Vaginal Discharge?

Vaginal dischargeis a normal and natural fluid made from the glands around the vagina to keep the vaginal canal clean and lubricated.

Typical discharge ranges in color based on a person’s menstrual cycle. Before menstruation, it can appear clear, milky white, or pale yellow. During and after, it may appear red and brown.

Consistency and amount also depend on an individual’s cycle and differ from person to person.

Discharge that is green, chunky, thick, watery, or has a fishy odor can point to an underlying condition like an infection or cervical cancer.

Common vaginal infectionsincludeyeast infections,trichomoniasis, andbacterial vaginosis. These infections can change the color, smell, and texture of vaginal discharge.

Effect of Endometriosis

In endometriosis, endometrial tissue similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows in other areas of the body. Typically this extra tissue grows on or in reproductive organs in the pelvic area (including ovaries, fallopian tubes, and tissues of the pelvic wall).

Spotting is one common symptom of endometriosis because endometrial tissue overgrowth breaks down and bleedsthe same way normal uterine lining does.

When this displaced tissue begins to shed, it can taint your vaginal discharge and cause it to appear pink, brown, or black. This type of spotting usually occurs outside of menstruation.

Spotting vs. Vaginal DischargeEndometriosis typically doesn’t impact the volume or consistency of healthy vaginal discharge, but it can affect color and frequency.

Spotting vs. Vaginal Discharge

Endometriosis typically doesn’t impact the volume or consistency of healthy vaginal discharge, but it can affect color and frequency.

Endometriosis Discharge/Spotting Colors

People with menstrual cycles are very likely to experiencespotting around theirperiod, which is usually not a cause for concern. Spotting between periods is a common symptom of endometriosis due to displaced tissue shedding and irregularities in menstruation.

If spotting occurs outside your menstrual window, it can indicate many underlying conditions. So it’s always a good idea to track and understand why spotting occurs.

When tracking the color and consistency of irregular spotting, remember that spotting due to endometriosis can appear pink, indicating fresh blood due toirregular bleeding or ovarian cysts. It can also cause brown or black spotting, indicating oxidized blood or tissue that’s been blocked or could not be shed.

Why Is My Discharge Black? 7 Causes

Recognizing Other Symptoms of Endometriosis

Endometriosis symptoms vary from person to person. Some will have little to no symptoms, and others will experience severe pain and bleeding.

What’s more, the symptoms of endometriosis can sometimes mimic symptoms of other conditions, such as cervical cancer or ovarian cysts. Diagnosis usually takes time and a patient healthcare provider.Besides spotting, keysymptoms of endometriosis include:

People with endometriosis have a higher incidence of chronic endometritis (infection or inflammation of the uterus) and more severe pelvic inflammatory disease.

Havingpelvic inflammatory diseasewas found in a 2018 study to raise the risk of endometriosis.Lower genital tract infections (of the cervix, vagina, or vulva) were found to be associated with an increased risk of endometriosis in a 2016 study.

Signs You May Need to Visit a Healthcare Provider

If you notice frequent spotting or abnormal vaginal discharge, you should see a healthcare provider. Because many conditions share these symptoms, a medical professional can help you find an appropriate diagnosis and treatment strategy.

Pain or discomfort in the pelvic region is also a key indicator that it’s time to set up an appointment.

Smelly Discharge

Healthy vaginal discharge is typically neutral-smelling and has no alarming or foul odor. However,if your discharge smells fishy, it could indicate asexually transmitted infection(STI).

It’s best to set up an appointment with a healthcare provider at the first notice of an odor. Left untreated for too long, infections can lead to more serious conditions.

Summary

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where endometrial tissue, similar to the inner lining of the uterus, grows in other areas of the body. Because endometrial tissue overgrowth breaks down the same way normal uterine lining does, any displaced tissue can cause irritation, obstruction, pain, or spotting.

Spotting outside your menstrual window is a common symptom of endometriosis but also points to other conditions. It’s important to see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.

Typically, no. Endometriosis usually only causes spotting and doesn’t change cervical or vaginal mucus.Learn MoreCervical Mucus Changes

Typically, no. Endometriosis usually only causes spotting and doesn’t change cervical or vaginal mucus.

Learn MoreCervical Mucus Changes

Without an ultrasound or other diagnostic measures, it’s difficult to tell the difference between endometriosis anduterine fibroids via symptoms alone. Bleeding between periods and heavy menstruation is common for both conditions.Learn MoreUterine Fibroids

Without an ultrasound or other diagnostic measures, it’s difficult to tell the difference between endometriosis anduterine fibroids via symptoms alone. Bleeding between periods and heavy menstruation is common for both conditions.

Learn MoreUterine Fibroids

Learn MoreVaginal Discharge Color Guide

7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sim M, Logan S, Goh L.Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care.Singapore Med J. 2020;61(6):297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088Rao V, Mahmood T.Vaginal discharge.Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Medicine. 2020;30(1);11-18. doi:10.1016/j.ogrm.2019.10.004Gruber TM, Mechsner S.Pathogenesis of endometriosis: the origin of pain and subfertility.Cells. 2021;10(6). doi:10.3390/cells10061381Endometriosis Foundation of America.What is endometriosis? Causes, symptoms and treatments.Koninckx P, Ussia A, Tahlak M, et al.Infection as a potential cofactor in the genetic-epigenetic pathophysiology of endometriosis: a systematic review.Facts Views Vis Obgyn. 2019;11(3):209-216.Tai FW, Chang CY, Chiang JH, Lin WC, Wan L.Association of pelvic inflammatory disease with risk of endometriosis: a nationwide cohort study involving 141,460 individuals.J Clin Med. 2018;7(11):379. doi:10.3390/jcm7110379Lin WC, Chang CY, Hsu YA, Chiang JH, Wan L.Increased risk of endometriosis in patients with lower genital tract infection: a nationwide cohort study.Medicine(Baltimore). 2016;95(10):e2773. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000002773

7 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sim M, Logan S, Goh L.Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care.Singapore Med J. 2020;61(6):297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088Rao V, Mahmood T.Vaginal discharge.Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Medicine. 2020;30(1);11-18. doi:10.1016/j.ogrm.2019.10.004Gruber TM, Mechsner S.Pathogenesis of endometriosis: the origin of pain and subfertility.Cells. 2021;10(6). doi:10.3390/cells10061381Endometriosis Foundation of America.What is endometriosis? Causes, symptoms and treatments.Koninckx P, Ussia A, Tahlak M, et al.Infection as a potential cofactor in the genetic-epigenetic pathophysiology of endometriosis: a systematic review.Facts Views Vis Obgyn. 2019;11(3):209-216.Tai FW, Chang CY, Chiang JH, Lin WC, Wan L.Association of pelvic inflammatory disease with risk of endometriosis: a nationwide cohort study involving 141,460 individuals.J Clin Med. 2018;7(11):379. doi:10.3390/jcm7110379Lin WC, Chang CY, Hsu YA, Chiang JH, Wan L.Increased risk of endometriosis in patients with lower genital tract infection: a nationwide cohort study.Medicine(Baltimore). 2016;95(10):e2773. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000002773

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Sim M, Logan S, Goh L.Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care.Singapore Med J. 2020;61(6):297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088Rao V, Mahmood T.Vaginal discharge.Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Medicine. 2020;30(1);11-18. doi:10.1016/j.ogrm.2019.10.004Gruber TM, Mechsner S.Pathogenesis of endometriosis: the origin of pain and subfertility.Cells. 2021;10(6). doi:10.3390/cells10061381Endometriosis Foundation of America.What is endometriosis? Causes, symptoms and treatments.Koninckx P, Ussia A, Tahlak M, et al.Infection as a potential cofactor in the genetic-epigenetic pathophysiology of endometriosis: a systematic review.Facts Views Vis Obgyn. 2019;11(3):209-216.Tai FW, Chang CY, Chiang JH, Lin WC, Wan L.Association of pelvic inflammatory disease with risk of endometriosis: a nationwide cohort study involving 141,460 individuals.J Clin Med. 2018;7(11):379. doi:10.3390/jcm7110379Lin WC, Chang CY, Hsu YA, Chiang JH, Wan L.Increased risk of endometriosis in patients with lower genital tract infection: a nationwide cohort study.Medicine(Baltimore). 2016;95(10):e2773. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000002773

Sim M, Logan S, Goh L.Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care.Singapore Med J. 2020;61(6):297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088

Rao V, Mahmood T.Vaginal discharge.Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Medicine. 2020;30(1);11-18. doi:10.1016/j.ogrm.2019.10.004

Gruber TM, Mechsner S.Pathogenesis of endometriosis: the origin of pain and subfertility.Cells. 2021;10(6). doi:10.3390/cells10061381

Endometriosis Foundation of America.What is endometriosis? Causes, symptoms and treatments.

Koninckx P, Ussia A, Tahlak M, et al.Infection as a potential cofactor in the genetic-epigenetic pathophysiology of endometriosis: a systematic review.Facts Views Vis Obgyn. 2019;11(3):209-216.

Tai FW, Chang CY, Chiang JH, Lin WC, Wan L.Association of pelvic inflammatory disease with risk of endometriosis: a nationwide cohort study involving 141,460 individuals.J Clin Med. 2018;7(11):379. doi:10.3390/jcm7110379

Lin WC, Chang CY, Hsu YA, Chiang JH, Wan L.Increased risk of endometriosis in patients with lower genital tract infection: a nationwide cohort study.Medicine(Baltimore). 2016;95(10):e2773. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000002773

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