Period FAQs

why is my period brown

by Ms. Mikayla Nicolas I Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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The beginning or end of your period
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.

Full Answer

Why is my period more brown than red?

Brown discharge instead of period usually happens at the end of the cycle. This is from old blood that has broken down inside the uterus and comes out brown instead of red as the body begins to shed. On occasion, you can get a brownish vaginal discharge in the middle of the menstrual cycle, or during the time of ovulation.

Why is there brown gooey liquid in my period?

These are some of the most common conditions that may cause brown discharge:

  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea

What causes brown blood before period starts?

Brown discharge before your period may be due to starting birth control, implantation, uterine fibroids, vaginal infections, or menstruation. Also called a period, menstruation occurs when the lining of a female's uterus is shed through a flow of blood. It's a crucial part of the menstrual cycle, which is a normal and healthy process that ...

What causes brown spotting before my period?

What is brown discharge?

  • When not pregnant. A doctor should be consulted if brown discharge causes concern.
  • During pregnancy. Pink or brown discharge or spotting before a period may be an early sign of pregnancy. ...
  • Approaching menopause. For those people in their 40s or 50s, brown discharge before a period may be a sign of perimenopause.

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Why is my period blood turning brown?

Your period blood may also turn brown if you have a lot of iron in your diet, which enhances the speed at which period blood oxidizes once it contacts air. Also, if you have birth control with a low-to-zero dose of estrogen, it can destabilize your uterine lining and lead to breakthrough bleeding in the middle of your cycle. But again, this blood is merely brown because of oxidation.

Why is my period black?

If the period blood is even older than this, it can sometimes turn black. Both brown and black blood colors are generally no cause for alarm. Your period may be black or brown at the very beginning or end when the flow is lighter. Heavier, faster flow is likely to be a darker or brighter red color.

What happens when the lining of the uterus breaks down?

When this doesn’t happen, the lining tissues start to break down and descend the uterus to be ejected out of the body. However, the tissues and blood begin to get exposed to air at this point, causing the blood to oxidize. Specifically, there is an oxygen-carrying protein in each red blood cell, called hemoglobin. This protein has iron molecules that bind to oxygen, giving it a bright, rich color.

What does brown blood look like?

A good example is that it’s just like when the topmost layer on an old iron gate will oxidize and turn to rust, which can be a similar shade of brown.

Is brown period blood normal?

We hope we’ve put your fears at ease with this post. Brown period blood, when occurring naturally as part of your cycle, is usually normal.

Is it normal to have red blood during your period?

Period blood can have a range of different colors and consistencies while being completely normal. It’s normal to see orange, dark red, bright red, brown, or even black blood, and each color signals something different about the way your uterine lining is shedding itself.

Why does my period blood turn brown?

If you have consume a lot of iron—either from supplements or eating a lot of red meat or leafy vegetables —your period blood might skew brown. That's because having more iron in your blood can enhance the oxidation process, says Dana Hunnes, Ph.D., R.D., a senior dietitian at Ronald Reagan-UCLA Medical Center.

What does it mean when your period is brown?

When that happens, the blood goes through a process called oxidation, which turns it brown—hence your brown period blood. Often, you’ll find brown period blood at the very start of your cycle, when there might be a little bit of blood left over from your previous cycle, says Braaten.

Why does my uterus bleed brown?

Birth control options that contain no estrogen (or low-dose estrogen), can make the uterine lining less stable, which can lead to breakthrough bleeding during your cycle—and, because breakthrough bleeding is typically light, it can also appear brown, again, because of oxidation. But keep in mind, this too is totally normal when related to your menstrual cycle.

Is brown blood old blood?

Simply put: “Brown blood is just old blood,” explains Kari P. Braaten, M.D., an ob-gyn at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. As the blood and tissue lining your uterus breaks down and leaves the body, it gets exposed to air. When that happens, the blood goes through a process called oxidation, which turns it brown—hence your brown period ...

Is period blood normal?

First: Dial it back a bit—period blood can come in a range of different colors and consistencies and still be totally normal. But if you're still kind of curious (and you know you are), here's what's really going on if your period blood looks a bit more brown than red.

Why is my period blood brown?

Pain during intercourse. Frequent urination. Constipation and/or bloating. Pain in your pelvis or lower back. Increased menstrual cramping. Stomach swelling. Below, we will discuss some of the potential reasons why your period blood is brown, along with additional symptoms to be on the lookout for.

What to do if you have brown period blood?

First and foremost, you should know that any unusual vaginal discharge, including brown or dark brown period blood, should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. We suggest that you take notes on when it occurs during your cycle.

Why Do Fibroids Cause Brown Discharge?

When the blood passes the fibroid, it may be brown because it is older and has oxidized.

Why is my period abnormal?

One potential reason for abnormal menstruation is the presence of uterine fibroids, a common type of non-cancerous tumor that can develop in or on the uterus. Fibroids vary in size and number, and can result in a range of painful, uncomfortable, and inconvenient symptoms.

What is the term for the condition where the lining of the uterus breaks through the muscular wall?

Endometriosis: This common reproductive condition occurs when the lining of the uterus breaks through the muscular wall. Uterine tissue can then develop on the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, or intestines. This type of tissue growth can cause significant pain or discomfort, along with abnormal periods and brown period blood.

What does it mean when a woman bleeds during her period?

Ovulation: A small percentage of women experience bleeding each month when an ovary releases an egg. When this happens, it is typically mid-cycle and can appear as brown or dark brown period blood. Some women also experience implantation bleeding when they first get pregnant.

Can brown period blood be a sign of something wrong?

At USA Fibroid Centers, our specialists want you to be aware that period abnormalities –– such as heavy bleeding and severe cramps –– can be a sign of something wrong. If you experience brown period blood along with other related symptoms, we recommend talking to your doctor to determine the underlying cause.

What is the yellow body?

The name means yellow body in latin, because it’s yellow. Lutein is the carotenoid that makes fruits and veggies yellow and it’s found in very high concentrations in the corpus luteum. Lutein is in yellow fruits and veggies but it’s actually highest in dark leafy green veggies. Support the Uterus.

What happens if progesterone is low?

This means you hold on to a little bit of tissue, which oxidizes during the month, and shows up as brown spotting or bleeding at the beginning of your next cycle.

How to support progesterone production?

To support progesterone production the first thing we want to do is start tracking your cycles more thoroughly. This means tracking your fertile signs in addition to your period dates so that we can determine whether or not you’re ovulating. Progesterone production relies on regular ovulation.

Why is my period pink?

Using hormonal birth control can lower estrogen levels in the body, which can lead to a lighter flow with a pinkish hue during periods .

What does it mean when your period is black?

The color is typically a sign of old blood or blood that has taken longer to leave the uterus and has had time to oxidize, first turning brown or dark red and then eventually becoming black. Black blood can sometimes also indicate a blockage inside a person’s vagina.

Why does my vagina bleed pink?

During pregnancy, pink discharge that contains tissue and occurs alongside cramps may indicate a miscarriage. It is important for women who experience vaginal bleeding while pregnant to see their doctor or obstetrician.

What does the color of your period mean?

Summary. The color of a person’s period blood can relay vital health information. For example, orange or grey blood can sometimes indicate a vaginal infection. During menstruation, the body sheds tissue and blood from the uterus through the vagina. This bloody discharge can vary from bright red to dark brown or black depending on how old it is.

What does it mean when you have brown blood?

Brown blood or spotting can sometimes also be an early sign of pregnancy that doctors refer to as implantation bleeding. Brown discharge or spotting during pregnancy can indicate a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, which is when the fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube instead of the uterus.

Why does my period start with red blood?

Unusual spotting or bleeding between menstrual cycles may be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection , such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.

What causes heavy bleeding?

Growths in the uterine lining, called polyps or fibroids, can also cause unusually heavy bleeding. Rarely, bright red bleeding may be a sign of cervical cancer. Other symptoms of cervical cancer include: heavier periods. periods that last longer than normal.

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