Some pregnant mothers may experience brown vaginal discharge during pregnancy. This is one of the symptoms that early pregnant mothers are quite worried about. Is there something wrong with their bodies? If pregnant women have brown vaginal discharge, will the fetus be okay? Today, TAP has compiled the causes, symptoms, and results of vaginal discharge turning brown in pregnant mothers. Let’s take a look.
Why is vaginal discharge brown?
For most women, having a change in the color of vaginal discharge is a cause for concern because it could be a sign that our body is trying to tell us. Let’s take a look at why vaginal discharge turns brown.
1. The beginning or end of the menstrual cycle.
A woman’s menstruation is the blood flowing out of the vagina. Generally, there will be a lot or a little depending on the person. Normally, the brown discharge is caused by the reaction of the vagina to menstruation or the body’s natural vaginal cleansing.
2. Hormone deficiency
Sometimes, brown discharge can be a sign of an imbalance of estrogen hormones, with too little estrogen flowing to the lining of the vagina. In addition to brown discharge, other symptoms may include:
- Feeling hot flashes
- cannot sleep
- Mood swings or depression
- No concentration
- Urinary tract infection
- Weight gain
3. Birth control pills
Taking birth control pills or taking hormonal birth control pills may cause brown vaginal discharge during the first month of taking the pills. This includes irregular bleeding that may occur more often. If you take the birth control pills that contain less than 35 micrograms of estrogen, it can affect your menstrual period. And if you miss a period for too long, your body and the color of the vaginal discharge may change to a brown color.
4. Ovulation
Normally, ovulation occurs in the middle of a woman’s menstrual cycle, which is when the egg moves out of the ovary to await fertilization with sperm. Therefore, each month, women are likely to have brown vaginal discharge due to the movement of the egg, and other symptoms such as lower abdominal pain and changes in body temperature.
5. Ovarian cysts
Ovarian cysts, or polycystic ovaries, are fluid-filled sacs inside an ovary that can develop and enlarge. They can occur on one or both sides of your uterus, and can cause a variety of symptoms, including brown vaginal discharge and pelvic pain.
6. Medically-associated infections (STIs)
Medically-related infections can cause brown vaginal discharge or vaginal bleeding. Some infections, such as gonorrhea or non-gonococcal urethritis, may not show symptoms in the early stages, but later on, there will be pain in the genitals while urinating, pelvic pain, and vaginal discharge that changes color, etc.
If I have brown vaginal discharge, should I see a doctor?
In many cases, the brown discharge may be old blood that the body has expelled from the uterus to cleanse the uterus, especially at the beginning and end of the menstrual cycle. But don’t forget to observe other symptoms if you feel any abnormalities in your body or you should see a doctor immediately if you feel that it is not discharge before or after your period because it may become a serious disease. You should see a doctor if you have the following symptoms along with brown discharge:
- Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor or itching
- Lower abdominal pain or pain during intercourse
- Have a fever or other symptoms that are signs of infection.
- There is a large amount of vaginal discharge or there is fresh blood mixed in.
- Vaginal discharge lasts for more than 3 days.
What causes brown vaginal discharge during pregnancy?
The reason why pregnant women have brown discharge, especially early pregnancy mothers, if they have brown discharge, it is usually due to irritation, increased hormones, and increased blood flow during pregnancy, which makes the cervix very fragile. Or having sex during pregnancy and a pelvic exam that may be harsh can also cause brown discharge. In addition, finding brown discharge during pregnancy near the end of pregnancy is a warning sign that the mother is about to give birth, no more than 2-3 weeks away, or some mothers may have it 2-3 days before the baby is born. In addition, mothers who are about to give birth may have symptoms such as bleeding from the vagina or blood mixed with the discharge. However, if you are not sure about the bleeding, consult a specialist immediately.
Causes of brown vaginal discharge during pregnancy
Pregnancy causes many changes in the body of a mother, including the occurrence of brown vaginal discharge during pregnancy. This is due to the change in pH in the female genital area, which may cause a small amount of vaginal discharge and is not a cause for much concern. The occurrence of brown vaginal discharge may occur for 2-3 days and then disappears naturally.
Therefore, it is considered normal for pregnant women. Sometimes, there may be a little blood mixed in. This may be caused by the mother’s physical activities, such as exercising, carrying heavy objects, cleaning the house too hard, or having sex. However, if you find that the discharge smells bad or feel a burning or itchy sensation in the vagina, it may be a symptom indicating a serious change, including:
- Infection: Because pregnant women are at higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases than normal women.
- Risk of miscarriage. Most often, the risk of miscarriage occurs when the fetus is about 10 weeks old. Symptoms will occur suddenly and include a brown or red discharge from the vagina. Other symptoms include cramps or pain in the lower abdomen, blood clots in the vagina, dizziness, or fainting.
- An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube or into an ovary, abdomen, or cervix. This is called an ectopic pregnancy. In addition to brown discharge, an ectopic pregnancy may cause other symptoms, including sudden pain in the abdomen, pelvis, neck, and shoulders, pelvic pain on one side of the body, dizziness, or fainting.
- Cervical infection : When the cervix becomes inflamed for whatever reason, such as a bacterial infection, an allergy to feminine hygiene products, or a hormonal imbalance, pregnant women may experience the following symptoms: a large amount of vaginal discharge, which may have an odor, lower abdominal pain, vaginal pain, back pain, or pain while urinating.
If you notice a change in the color of your vaginal discharge, or if you experience severe cramps in your abdomen, rapid uterine contractions, or severe back pain, see a doctor immediately.
What to do if you find brown vaginal discharge during pregnancy?
If you notice brown discharge after sex, it is considered normal. Therefore, you may wear a sanitary pad for 1-2 days after sex to prevent staining your underwear. However, if your discharge changes to brown or contains blood after sex more than 2-3 times a month or more than 2 weeks, including the discharge has a strong odor and is accompanied by cramps, see a doctor immediately. Because these symptoms are signs of infection or other more serious symptoms. Initially, the doctor may do an ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis to make sure that the fetus is developing normally and does not have an infection. If the fetus is found to be healthy, the doctor may treat it with antibiotics or other medications to eliminate the vaginal infection. And you should closely monitor your symptoms and abstain from sex during this time.
Let’s listen to what the doctor has to say!
Although brown vaginal discharge during non-pregnancy or pregnancy is not a cause for concern and has a treatment, we would like all women to take care of and pay attention to what is happening to their bodies because sometimes it can be the key to being aware of serious diseases that are about to threaten you, for the health of the pregnancy and the health of the pregnant mother herself.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Thailand
