Why Is My Period Brown?
Every woman experiences their period differently. Your cycle might run like clockwork, with few cramps and short periods. Other women may not be able to get out of bed. Some bleed very heavily, and never know how long it will last.
Your period will change colors from the beginning to the end. You may see different colors from month to month or at different times throughout your cycle. There are many factors involved, even when your periods are totally healthy.
The variation from bright to dark red to brown has something to do with the flow. Your flow may be faster at the beginning of your period and slow down towards the end. You may have dark red blood after laying down for a long time.
The color and consistency of blood can change throughout your cycle. It may be thin and watery one day, and thick the next. It may be bright red or brown, heavy, or light. It is normal for your periods to vary.
Brown blood is usually seen towards the end of your cycle. As your body sheds the uterine lining of your cycle the blood is normally red. Then, near the end of your cycle, the discharged blood is older and can be discolored.
Sometimes, spotting or brown discharge occurs in the middle of your cycle, during ovulation. This is more common in younger girls who are starting to have their periods. Women starting on birth control, or women nearing menopause.
When your period picks up and the blood is coming out quickly, it can maintain a more reddish color because it doesn’t have as much time to mix with oxygen.
Brown discharge is the result of blood that has been exposed to oxygen for a long enough time to change color. The blood may be taking its sweet time leaving your vagina, oxidizing and combining with your discharge. It looks weird, but it’s actually no big deal.
Brown spotting can also happen for a few different reasons:
• It could be a normal part of the adjustment period after starting new birth control.
• During ovulation, might take you by surprise even if you recently stopped using birth control.
• Cervical polyps (little growths that hang down from your cervix and are typically non-cancerous)
• Uterine polyps (growths that extend into your uterine cavity and are also most often benign).
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal condition, can also cause breakthrough bleeding between cycles.
• Could be a sign of early pregnancy. Spotting that takes place one to two weeks after a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of your uterus.
• Certain infections, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, may cause bleeding between periods.
• Polyps and fibroids. They can be large or small and cause other symptoms like pain and pressure as well.
Your period can be used as a vital sign to indicate changes about your health. Women who have just started their periods may experience variety in the color and texture. Especially for the first several years.
Women in perimenopause may also experience irregularity. There are a lot of colors that fall within normal or healthy. Most of the time, brown period blood is linked to your menstrual cycle. A few days before or after your period. It is normal.
If you start to see brown blood that isn't related to your cycle, it can be cause for concern. Brown period blood outside of your typical cycle or after sex, could be a sign of a yeast, bacterial, or sexually transmitted infection. Even an issue related to early pregnancy, like miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
If you are worried about your period blood or if the brown blood is not linked to your period, it's important to see your ob-gyn, ASAP.