Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?Common CausesWhen Treatment Is NeededVariations in Vaginal DischargeWhat Is Normal?When to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
Common Causes
When Treatment Is Needed
Variations in Vaginal Discharge
What Is Normal?
When to See a Provider
Brown discharge is usually nothing to worry about. It is most likely dried blood left over from your last period. Vaginal discharge changes throughout the month. It is typically clear or white, though it can also be brown.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
What Is Brown Discharge?
Brown discharge is usually dried blood left over from your last period. It is common in the days leading up to or after your period, as thevaginacleans itself out.
Brown discharge that lasts for a few days before or after your period with no other unusual symptoms is normal. If it continues beyond a few days, you should see your healthcare provider.
Brown discharge can sometimes indicate a problem that should be evaluated, such as:
Common Causes of Brown Discharge
There are a number of reasons why brown discharge may occur, including:
Should I Take a Pregnancy Test if I Have Brown Discharge?If you notice brown discharge a few days before your period, but then your period never comes, take a pregnancy test. Your period is late when it is delayed five or more days compared to your normal cycle. Implantation bleeding, if it occurs, happens a few days before when you would otherwise menstruate.
Should I Take a Pregnancy Test if I Have Brown Discharge?
If you notice brown discharge a few days before your period, but then your period never comes, take a pregnancy test. Your period is late when it is delayed five or more days compared to your normal cycle. Implantation bleeding, if it occurs, happens a few days before when you would otherwise menstruate.
Causes of Brown Discharge That May Require Treatment
The amount and makeup of normal discharge changes throughout the month. It can vary based onovulation, sexual activity, menstrual flow, and the use of birth control.
What Is Normal Vaginal Discharge?
Normal vaginal discharge is typically:
What Is Abnormal Vaginal Discharge?Abnormal vaginal discharge can indicate an infection or other health problem. Signs of abnormal discharge include:Burning or itchingChange in color such as gray, green, and sometimes brownStrong or foul smell
What Is Abnormal Vaginal Discharge?
Abnormal vaginal discharge can indicate an infection or other health problem. Signs of abnormal discharge include:Burning or itchingChange in color such as gray, green, and sometimes brownStrong or foul smell
Abnormal vaginal discharge can indicate an infection or other health problem. Signs of abnormal discharge include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
You should also speak to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing discharge and think you may have been exposed to an STI.
Watch for changes to your discharge that may indicate an infection. Speak with your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms:
Summary
However, it may also be an indication of a more serious problem, like an infection, ectopic pregnancy, or a tampon left in the vagina. If you are concerned about your discharge, speak with your healthcare provider.
21 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.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Is it normal to have vaginal discharge?.NHS.Ovulation pain.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vaginal itching and discharge - adult and adolescent.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Hysteroscopy.Johns Hopskins Medicine.Cervical biopsy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Uterine artery embolisation (UAE).American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy.Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects of the birth control pill?Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects of the birth control implant?American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Perimenopausal bleeding and bleeding after menopause.University of California–Davis Health.What are the signs of early miscarriage?.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Early pregnancy loss.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.3 Conditions to watch for after childbirth.Mount Sinai.Vaginal bleeding between periods.Seattle Children’s.Menstrual period - missed or late.American Academy of Family Physicians.Common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).National Health Service.Ectopic pregnancy.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Cervical cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Vulvovaginal health.Nemours Foundation.Vaginal discharge: what’s normal, what’s not.Nemours Foundation.I’ve never had my period, so what’s this discharge?.
21 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.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Is it normal to have vaginal discharge?.NHS.Ovulation pain.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vaginal itching and discharge - adult and adolescent.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Hysteroscopy.Johns Hopskins Medicine.Cervical biopsy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Uterine artery embolisation (UAE).American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy.Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects of the birth control pill?Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects of the birth control implant?American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Perimenopausal bleeding and bleeding after menopause.University of California–Davis Health.What are the signs of early miscarriage?.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Early pregnancy loss.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.3 Conditions to watch for after childbirth.Mount Sinai.Vaginal bleeding between periods.Seattle Children’s.Menstrual period - missed or late.American Academy of Family Physicians.Common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).National Health Service.Ectopic pregnancy.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Cervical cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Vulvovaginal health.Nemours Foundation.Vaginal discharge: what’s normal, what’s not.Nemours Foundation.I’ve never had my period, so what’s this discharge?.
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.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Is it normal to have vaginal discharge?.NHS.Ovulation pain.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vaginal itching and discharge - adult and adolescent.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Hysteroscopy.Johns Hopskins Medicine.Cervical biopsy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Uterine artery embolisation (UAE).American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy.Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects of the birth control pill?Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects of the birth control implant?American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Perimenopausal bleeding and bleeding after menopause.University of California–Davis Health.What are the signs of early miscarriage?.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Early pregnancy loss.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.3 Conditions to watch for after childbirth.Mount Sinai.Vaginal bleeding between periods.Seattle Children’s.Menstrual period - missed or late.American Academy of Family Physicians.Common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).National Health Service.Ectopic pregnancy.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Cervical cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Vulvovaginal health.Nemours Foundation.Vaginal discharge: what’s normal, what’s not.Nemours Foundation.I’ve never had my period, so what’s this discharge?.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Is it normal to have vaginal discharge?.
NHS.Ovulation pain.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Vaginal itching and discharge - adult and adolescent.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Hysteroscopy.
Johns Hopskins Medicine.Cervical biopsy.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Uterine artery embolisation (UAE).
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy.
Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects of the birth control pill?
Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects of the birth control implant?
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Perimenopausal bleeding and bleeding after menopause.
University of California–Davis Health.What are the signs of early miscarriage?.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Early pregnancy loss.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.3 Conditions to watch for after childbirth.
Mount Sinai.Vaginal bleeding between periods.
Seattle Children’s.Menstrual period - missed or late.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
National Health Service.Ectopic pregnancy.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Cervical cancer.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Vulvovaginal health.
Nemours Foundation.Vaginal discharge: what’s normal, what’s not.
Nemours Foundation.I’ve never had my period, so what’s this discharge?.
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