Period FAQs

what does it mean when your period blood is brown

by Mr. Devonte Ritchie MD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Brown blood is usually present toward the end of your cycle. As your body sheds the uterine lining in the first few days of your cycle, the blood is normally red. However, 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,...

Black or brown is usually old blood, which has had time to oxidize, changing the hue. Brown blood, in particular, is often seen at the start or end of your period. At these times, your flow may be slow, which slows down the process of the blood leaving the uterus. The blood may also be left over from your last period.

Full Answer

Why do I have dark brown blood after my period?

When is brown discharge likely to occur?

  • Before and after a period. It is common for a person to have brown vaginal discharge a few days before their period, as well as a few days after it.
  • Perimenopause. Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause. ...
  • Birth control. Certain birth control methods may cause spotting or some brown discharge. ...
  • Pregnancy-related. ...

Is brown blood considered a period?

Period blood that is a darker red, brown, or black, is slightly older blood. This color suggests a slower flow. For most people, the blood gets darker over the course of their cycle. This is because older blood from the deeper parts of the uterine lining is shed and the bleeding slows.

What if your period last more than 7 days?

What causes long periods?

  • Hormone and ovulation changes. Changes to your hormones or ovulation may cause a long period. ...
  • Medications. You may experience long periods because of medications you take.
  • Pregnancy. ...
  • Uterine fibroids or polyps. ...
  • Adenomyosis. ...
  • Thyroid condition. ...
  • Bleeding condition. ...
  • Obesity. ...
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease. ...
  • Cancer. ...

What causes black period blood before or after period?

There are, however, other reasons why you can have black period blood or dark spotting before or after your period. Sometimes, an irregular menstrual cycle, using birth control, and approaching the menopause can all result in dark or black blood around the time of your period.

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Why is my period blood brownish?

The flow of blood is slower at the start and end of your period, meaning it takes longer to exit your body. The longer it sits in your body, the more time it has to oxidize, causing it to turn brown. In some cases, brown blood could even be left over from your previous period.

Does brown period blood mean pregnancy?

Pink or brown discharge or spotting before a period may be an early sign of pregnancy. Not every pregnant person will experience this symptom, but some do. This discharge is caused by implantation bleeding that can happen when the fertilized egg burrows into the uterus lining.

Am I pregnant if I have brown discharge instead of my period?

Brown discharge instead of your period could be an early sign of pregnancy. About one to two weeks after a fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining (which occurs during ovulation), you may notice some pink or brown blood from implantation bleeding.

Can stress cause brown discharge?

While many women experience spotting at one time or another, it can be alarming. Any number of underlying conditions, from early pregnancy to high levels of stress, can cause spotting.

Is it just my period or am I pregnant?

Changes in mood Feeling irritable, anxious, or sad, or having crying spells, are common in both early pregnancy and the days leading up to a period. These symptoms of PMS typically disappear once menstruation begins. However, if mood changes persist and a person misses their period, this may suggest pregnancy.

What does brown discharge look like in early pregnancy?

Bleeding – light bleeding early in pregnancy is fairly common, and does not mean you will have a miscarriage. Brown discharge: This may look like coffee grounds. This “discharge” is actually old blood that has been in the uterus for a while and is just coming out slowly.

How can I tell if it's implantation bleeding or my period?

A: Unfortunately, there's no way to tell the difference between implantation bleeding and menstrual bleeding. Implantation occurs 6-12 days after conception, which is around the same time you may be expecting your monthly period, and both can produce the same amount of bleeding.

How long does the brown discharge last in early pregnancy?

Fluctuations in vaginal pH can result in small amounts of brown discharge. This is typically not concerning, as it usually lasts for 2 to 3 days and resolves spontaneously.

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