The female body adjusts to each change in the cycle and, as a result, signs indicating these changes occur. One of these signs in the female body is brown discharge. It’s a very common sign throughout a woman’s life, but it raises many questions. It’s a mystery for women who take birth control, or after using the morning-after pill, and even for those trying to conceive, who are on high alert for any different bodily sign. What can this brown discharge mean? Could it be an indication of a pregnancy?

What is brown discharge?

Brown discharge can indicate several conditions and appear with different characteristics. It can be darker than usual, sometimes with the appearance of coffee grounds, or with a yellowish tone. But one thing is for certain: when it occurs, it’s because there’s a small amount of blood in its composition.

Main causes of brown discharge

Brown vaginal discharge is considered a common occurrence in a woman’s life1, but it’s not always caused by natural factors. In some cases, this dark-colored discharge can be a sign of infections, such as bacterial vaginosis. This is rarely discussed, but the vast majority of chronic discharge cases are caused by the use of latex condoms. This happens because the vaginal mucosa, being so sensitive, can present allergic reactions to the condom material. This can disrupt the vagina’s natural pH, making it the perfect environment for the proliferation of bacteria that cause vaginal infections. Another very frequent factor—which most women believe is beneficial but can actually harm their health—is the common practice of the “vaginal douche.” Using a vaginal douche cleans the genital area so deeply that it removes all the area’s natural protection. This alters the quality of the vaginal flora and allows invasive bacteria to enter. The result is infections, and, automatically, the presence of discharges2. The regular use of intimate soaps or strongly scented soaps, as well as moisturizers, vaginal creams, and lubricants—especially those with flavor and aroma—pose a significant risk to vaginal health. They also completely disrupt the balance of the vaginal flora and natural pH. It’s necessary to monitor symptoms that appear alongside brown discharge. If it’s accompanied by a bad odor, burning while urinating, itching, and swelling in the area, or if it persists for more than 3 days, you should consult your doctor to investigate through exams and receive proper treatment.

When is brown discharge normal?

Even though it can indicate an infection when associated with other unpleasant symptoms, brown discharge can also occur due to some natural and common events, such as:

  • After the end of the menstrual period (coffee grounds-like discharge may appear after menstruation ends)
  • After sexual intercourse (due to some irritation of the vaginal wall and the cervix);
  • When the woman has hormonal changes;
  • When switching birth control methods;
  • Use of medications for thyroid control

Is brown discharge a symptom of pregnancy?

This is a very common doubt at doctor’s appointments: is the presence of brown discharge an indication that a woman is pregnant? Actually, the answer is yes and no! Let’s understand why. The appearance of brown discharge as a natural factor can happen due to hormonal imbalances, and so it can be connected to pregnancy. During this period, hormones become extremely volatile and change rapidly, causing some signs. But keep in mind that brown discharge may or may not mean pregnancy, so it’s best not to get your hopes up or consider it a definitive indication that pregnancy has begun.

Brown discharge or ovulation bleeding?

Many women are surprised when a “brown spot” appears in the middle of the cycle, leading to confusion about what it means. Brown discharge isn’t always related to the causes mentioned above—it can also be ovulation bleeding. In some cases, such as late ovulation, ovulation bleeding can also occur at the end of the cycle, close to when menstruation is due. It appears as a brown smudge or an elastic, brown-hued mucus.

Brown discharge or the start of your period?

Another situation that may confuse women is when brown-colored mucus, or discharge recognized as brown discharge, happens close to the date of the next menstruation. It can be worrying when it happens, as usually the expectation is for a normal blood flow, with bright red color. In some cases, the start of menstruation may be marked by brown discharge, which is actually the normal flow, just with a different color.

Brown discharge after using the morning-after pill

The morning-after pill tops the list of main causes of brown discharge in women’s lives3. That’s because this tiny pill is a real hormonal bomb and drastically increases your progesterone levels, reducing the chances of you getting pregnant (yes, the morning-after pill isn’t 100% reliable!). Taking it may bring on your period earlier, or may simply cause brown discharge, which can truly panic women, who already fear the pill failed and they’re pregnant. In reality, brown discharge is a sign of the hormonal imbalance your body is experiencing now. In fact, what’s recommended after taking the morning-after pill is to wait until your next period and take a pregnancy test for confirmation. It’s important to state that the morning-after pill should not be used as a contraceptive method. It’s meant as an emergency solution and should be used only in extreme cases when your contraceptive method is forgotten or fails for some reason. The morning-after pill shouldn’t be used more than once a month, as using it more can lessen its effectiveness and increase the risk of an unwanted pregnancy.

IMPORTANT: Prevention is the best way to avoid pregnancy, use condoms!

Brown discharge during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the appearance of brown discharge can be distressing. Of course, the pregnant woman will think there’s something wrong with the pregnancy, that it’s a miscarriage and her baby is at risk. But don’t worry, it’s not necessarily that! Brown discharge in pregnancy can have various causes, some considered normal during pregnancy and others not. Therefore, each case needs to be evaluated. The first factor to observe is the amount of discharge and how often it occurs. When it happens right at the beginning of pregnancy, in the first trimester, it may be a sign of implantation bleeding, which is the “brown secretion” that may occur when the embryo is implanted. This bleeding is a sign of what’s called nidation. But since it’s still the start of pregnancy, caution is important, and it’s necessary to observe the amount and intensity of this discharge. If there’s a higher quantity, it could be a sign of gestational sac detachment, the area where the embryo is attached and developing. So, pay attention—if the brown discharge is in large volume and comes with tissue pieces or blood clots, you should see your OB-GYN for assessment. During the early stages of pregnancy, brown discharge may also happen due to the hormonal chaos that is common at this time. In this case, the discharge happens due to a drop in hormones, causing small leaks. Your doctor needs to be informed to monitor and run necessary tests. Some women also report the appearance of brown discharge at the end of pregnancy, which can be confused with the start of labor. If you notice anything different, contact your doctor’s office so you can address your concerns and enjoy the final days of pregnancy in peace! Also read: Coffee Grounds Menstruation – What is it? Photo: Pxhere