During menstruation, brown discharge, what is it: one of the manifestations of the norm or an alarming symptom indicating the presence of pathological processes in the body? This question is asked by some representatives of the fair sex who are faced with the phenomenon in question. What is the nature of the occurrence of this type of discharge?

Reasons for appearance

According to generally accepted medical opinion, normal menstrual flow should be red in color and not have an unpleasant odor. Menstrual blood can acquire a brown color as a result of exposure to certain internal and external factors. These include the following reasons:

1. A sharp change in climatic conditions.
2. Excessive physical activity, intense sports training.
3. Frequent stressful situations and psycho-emotional shocks.
4. Long-term and uncontrolled use of certain medications.
5. Poisoning (food, chemical or drug).
6. Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.
7. Poor nutrition.
8. The presence of infectious processes in the body.
9. Diseases of a gynecological nature.
10. A sharp increase or, on the contrary, decrease in body weight.
11. Previous abortions.
12. Breastfeeding period.

Brown discharge can also occur due to hormonal imbalance in the female body. Quite often they can be observed in teenage girls during the establishment of the menstrual cycle. In some cases, brown spotting discharge is also typical for women over 40 years of age due to hormonal changes in the body on the eve of menopause, as well as the natural decline of ovarian functions.

In all of the above cases, brown discharge, with sufficient intensity and the absence of painful symptoms, is usually considered to be a natural manifestation of the body, so there is no need to panic in this case.

Brown discharge during pregnancy

A change in the color of menstrual discharge may indicate pregnancy. Brown spotting in expectant mothers can be a rather alarming symptom, indicating a possible ectopic pregnancy, threatened miscarriage, or detachment of the fertilized egg. In this case, symptoms such as dizziness, a sharp drop in blood pressure up to a hypotensive crisis, sharp pain in the lower abdomen and headaches are observed. In addition, this may be a sign of a lack of certain hormones necessary to ensure successful pregnancy.

Thus, the appearance of brown discharge in a pregnant woman is almost always a dangerous symptom, indicating the presence of severe pathologies that pose a potential threat to both the mother herself and the unborn baby. Therefore, when they appear, you must immediately seek advice from a gynecologist.

Read also: Cystitis during pregnancy

What diseases may this indicate?

Quite often, this phenomenon can be caused by unfavorable processes in the body that are painful in nature. Thus, the appearance of brown discharge during menstruation may indicate the following pathologies:

1. Disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system.
2. Infectious lesions of the reproductive organs.
3. Gonorrhea.
4. Chlamydia.
5. Syphilis.
6. Trichomoniasis.
7. Ovarian pathologies.
8. Gynecological diseases.
9. Hypothyroidism.
10. Pathologies of the thyroid gland.
11. Disturbances in the functioning of the pituitary gland.
12. The presence of inflammatory processes in the uterine cavity.
13. Metabolic disorder.
14. Endothelial deficiency.
15. Injury to the cervix.
16. Previous surgical interventions in the gynecological field.
17. Polycystic ovary syndrome.
18. Endometritis.
19. The formation of polyps in the area of ​​the uterine mucosa.
20. Insufficient concentration of the hormone progesterone in the blood.
21. Cervical hyperplasia.

It follows that the reasons for the appearance of brown discharge during menstruation can be very diverse. In some cases, this phenomenon can act as a characteristic sign of a number of diseases and the development of serious disorders in the body, which can pose a potential threat not only to the health, but also to the life of the patient. In order to distinguish pathology from the norm, it is very important to pay attention to the general condition, duration and intensity of discharge, and the possible presence of painful symptoms.

What can be considered normal?

If brown discharge appears just before the onset of menstruation, this is a completely natural phenomenon, which is considered a characteristic sign of the onset of menstruation. A change in the color of menstrual blood observed in the middle of the cycle is also considered normal. This symptom indicates the beginning of the ovulation period. Brownish spotting discharge observed at the end of menstruation is a natural process of the body ridding itself of the last drops of blood.

In addition, brown discharge during menstruation at the very beginning of sexual activity is considered normal, which is associated with injuries received directly during the defloration process and hormonal changes.

In all other cases, brown discharge should alert a woman, especially if it repeats from month to month and is accompanied by painful symptoms.

Every girl (woman) knows that, starting from a certain age, girls begin menstruation. Alas, often many mothers, at best, told their daughters something like “You will have bleeding. This happens to everyone, it’s normal,” at the very moment when puberty began.

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Unfortunately, due to lack of special literacy regarding this issue, few of them even understand what it is, why this happens and what all this should look like in the body of a healthy woman? When menstruation suddenly appears brown, it is completely unclear why this is happening, can menstruation be of this color and is it necessary to urgently consult a doctor?

Menstruation is part of the menstrual process accompanied by bleeding. By nature, a woman is destined to give birth to offspring. In this regard, monthly (every 21-35 days) the body prepares for conception. Against this background, strong hormonal changes occur, and by the last stage of the menstrual cycle, the uterine cavity is lined with hormonal-sensitive tissue - the endometrium. This is how the embryo is prepared for implantation inside the uterine cavity, but if this does not happen, the tissue is destroyed and then removed from the uterus in the form of menstrual bleeding.

And again these days

Normally, heavy (about 150 ml in 3-4 days) bleeding of a rich red color. However, due to various reasons, deviations from this color (including odor) are possible. So, women are often bothered by dark brown periods. Why does this happen and should you worry if your periods are dark brown?

Reasons for deviation from the norm

Brown discharge before menstruation is too general a concept. In order to understand the reason that caused them, it is necessary to consider this issue in more detail. The nature, color, and amount of discharge can be associated with completely different reasons. So, what are the possible allocation options:

• scanty brown at the beginning of menstruation (on the first day);
• spotting dirty in the middle of the cycle (for the second time in a month, or in a week);
• brown at the end of menstruation;
• dark brown and come instead of menstruation;
• with clots;
• light brown.

Two points out of five are a variant of the norm. We are talking about brown spotting before and after menstruation. Sometimes this happens simply at the beginning of the cycle or due to hormonal changes. There is no doubt that a woman is an overly emotional creature. Due to various types of stress, depression and other unpleasant emotional states, the body can undergo various changes. Initially, all this affects the hormonal background, and therefore the menstrual cycle (then the reasons for dark brown periods are quite understandable). In this case, psychological therapy is enough, or just “waiting it out”; no special treatment is needed here.

It should be noted here that hormonal changes are not always a malfunction within the body; sometimes it is more than a normal natural phenomenon. During puberty, key hormonal changes occur, which can cause your first period to appear brown. A similar situation can occur in women with the onset of menopause.

On the red day of the calendar

The cause of brown spotting after menstruation is almost always simply the end of menstruation.

Important! Many people wonder why blood is brown during menstruation? It is known that due to the iron content, blood oxidizes in air and turns brown. It is important here not to confuse a pathological process with a common occurrence.

When discharge appears in the middle of the cycle against the background of normal menstruation, as a rule, we are talking about some kind of pathological process. The main reasons may be:

• pregnancy (normal or ectopic);
• severe psychological condition, stress, depression;
• inflammatory processes of the reproductive system;
• injuries of the reproductive system;
• a consequence of any medical procedures (for example, abortion);
• malfunctions of the pituitary gland and ovaries.

If you have severe pain in the lower abdomen, you should take painkillers

To understand why brown periods may occur, it is important to understand whether there are additional symptoms such as:

• severe pain in the lower abdomen;
• nausea, vomiting;
• dizziness;
• temperature;
• chills, etc.

In such cases, you should immediately see a doctor to identify the cause.

The endometrium is a mucous tissue, so when it is rejected, it may contain small clots. Your period may come with brown clots. In this case, a large number of clots may indicate the presence of diseases such as:

• high body temperature;
• endometriosis (a disease in which blood clots enter the abdominal cavity through the fallopian tubes);
• endometritis (inflammation due to infection of the uterus);
• pathological growth of the endometrium;
• anemia (lack of hemoglobin);
• ectopic pregnancy.

In all of the above situations, the reasons for dark brown periods were considered. What if your period is brown (light), what does that mean? As a rule, this indicates:

• violation of personal hygiene rules;
• mid-menstrual cycle;
• taking oral contraceptives;
• about taking abortifacient drugs;
• postpartum period.

Days of menstruation

Changes after taking hormonal drugs

As already noted, the presence of strange “periods” may be associated with taking hormonal medications. Some reviews indicate a side effect in the form of very scanty brown periods. Duphaston is a chemically synthesized progesterone, a real panacea for many diseases, such as:

• endometriosis;
• irregular menstruation;
• infertility;
• the possibility of miscarriage due to progesterone deficiency, etc.

When such a side effect occurs, as a rule, the dose of progesterone is simply increased, and spotting bleeding stops. Of course, this must be agreed with your doctor.

Diagnostic measures and treatment

• examination by a gynecologist on the chair (including a smear);
• blood test for hCG;
• ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity;
• MRI and CT (to exclude cancerous tumors);
• thyroid examination.

To eliminate discharge

Of course, the need for certain tests and the list given is determined by the attending physician, based on the examination and the collected medical history. After this, the reason is found out. Well, treatment will already be aimed at eliminating it, since discharge is not a disease, but a symptom.

The gynecologist will inform you about the need for additional tests or examinations if this symptom is not related to the reproductive system. Most likely, you will need to write out a referral to an immunologist, gastroenterologist or other specialized specialists, or undergo additional examinations (take tests).

It is important to monitor your body and listen to different sensations in time. As preventive measures, it should be noted that women lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes not only the absence of bad habits and a healthy diet, but also a healthy emotional state. You should eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and spend time in the fresh air as often as possible, taking walks. We should not forget that the vast majority of health problems are the result of psychological disorders. For women this is even more serious and significant than for men. That’s why it’s so important to be in a good mood and not get upset over trifles. Then such unpleasant phenomena as unhealthy periods will either not bother you at all, or as rarely as possible.

Thank you 5

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Menstruation is a phenomenon familiar to every healthy woman of reproductive age. Monthly bleeding marks the end of one hormonal cycle and the beginning of a new one. The duration and characteristics of this period are individual; they can vary significantly among different representatives of the fairer sex. But there are signs the appearance of which should alert you - for example, if during menstruation the discharge turns brown.

Critical days (or menstruation) are a short period when the rejected endometrium is removed from the uterus. of this process are considered:

• duration from 3 to 7 days;
• red bloody discharge up to 50–60 ml per day;
• absence of a sharp unpleasant odor;
• no severe pain.

Brown discharge on menstruation days can also be considered a variant of the norm if it occurs at the beginning or end of this period. In this case, the unusual color is explained simply - the amount of blood is small, it mixes with vaginal secretions and oxidizes. The result is a brownish composition, which can be seen on linen or hygiene products. However, changes in the color of the regula are not always caused by harmless reasons; it can be a sign of a serious pathology.

The main causes of brown periods

If the discharge is brown during menstruation, this is a reason to consult a doctor. Only a gynecologist, based on the examination results, will be able to name the exact cause of this deviation.

A variety of gynecological pathologies during menstruation can manifest themselves as changes in the color, thickness and intensity of discharge. The most common causes of brown periods include:

• inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system, infections;
• the period after surgery or childbirth;
• lactation;
• menopause;
• external influences - physical overload, stress, climate change, taking certain medications or undergoing chemotherapy;
• hormonal disorders;
• contraception using hormonal drugs;
• beginning of pregnancy;
• formation (beginning) of menstruation;
• malnutrition (strict diet);
• features of sexual life - excessive activity or lack.

Only a doctor can accurately determine the cause of unusual periods, and he will decide whether there is a need for treatment.

Postpartum period

Giving birth to a child is a traumatic process for the female reproductive system; it takes several weeks to recover. The inner surface of the uterus during this period (after separation and exit of the placenta) is an open wound surface. If brown discharge appears immediately after birth, this may indicate infection, incomplete release of the placenta from the uterine cavity, or other pathology. Such symptoms must be reported to your gynecologist immediately.

The healing of the uterus and restoration of its normal size is accompanied by bloody discharge - lochia. In the first weeks their color is bright red, and about a month after birth they take on a brown tint. Then the discharge turns pale, becomes scanty, and approximately 1.5 months after the birth of the child it completely stops. This indicates restoration of the uterus and healing of the mucous membrane.

During the lactation period, menstruation may be completely absent (this is the so-called lactational amenorrhea). It does not recover immediately, so in the first months, irregular dark-colored spotting may appear. If the process is not accompanied by other symptoms - itching, burning, pain, unpleasant odor, then this is not a deviation. But a preventative visit to the gynecologist won’t hurt.

Pregnancy

The appearance of dark brown mucus instead of menstruation may indicate the beginning of pregnancy, but this is not always a dangerous symptom. The phenomenon can be considered normal if, instead of menstruation, short-term minor spotting appears. When an embryo is implanted, a small amount of blood is released that can give this effect. If women are pronounced and continue for some time, their appearance may be a sign of pathology:

• detachment of the placenta, endometrium;
• threats of miscarriage;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• hormonal disorders that threaten pregnancy.

Without knowing about pregnancy, you can mistakenly mistake the discharge that sometimes appears for scanty periods. If in doubt, it is better to do a test and consult a specialist. A timely visit to a gynecologist can prevent a miscarriage or relieve serious complications during pregnancy.

Age-related changes

The beginning and end of the reproductive period is accompanied by a number of changes in the body. So, during the first year of menstruation, scanty brown discharge in girls can be considered the norm. They indicate the formation of the cycle, the launch of female functions. If such a pattern of menstruation persists for a long time, this indicates abnormalities and requires medical intervention. At the discretion of the gynecologist, hormonal therapy methods can be used for correction.

The onset of menopause is also accompanied by cycle disturbances; instead of menstrual bleeding, spotting brown discharge may appear. This is due to the gradual decline of ovarian function. Under the influence of changing hormonal levels, the uterus forms a thinner layer of the endometrium, which affects the nature of menstruation.

According to statistics, about a third of women over 45–50 years old go to the doctor with complaints of heavy dark or brown discharge instead of menstruation. This phenomenon is explained by age-related changes in the endocrine system.

However, the pathological nature of the discharge cannot be ruled out, and the likelihood of developing a number of dangerous diseases increases with age. Therefore, it makes sense to report unpleasant symptoms to a gynecologist and undergo an examination.

Contraceptives

Features of the course of menstruation are closely related to the functioning of the endocrine system. Therefore, taking hormonal contraceptives (COCs) often leads to the fact that during menstruation the discharge becomes too scanty or heavy and turns brown. The same effect can be caused by the installation of an IUD (intrauterine device).

Getting used to the drug may take up to 3 months, then your periods should return to normal. If this does not happen, you should consult a doctor.

They can also take on an unusual character. In case of suspected pathology, it is recommended to consult a specialist.

Hormonal disorders

The menstrual cycle is regulated by the action of sex hormones. If their balance is disturbed, this can lead to deviations in the functioning of all reproductive organs and provoke a number of serious diseases in this area. But first of all, the imbalance affects the flow of menstruation.

Brown, dark discharge instead of menstruation is called hypomenorrhea in gynecology. Disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system - pituitary gland, thyroid gland, ovaries - often cause this deviation. With a significant decrease in estrogen levels, the cycle lengthens (systematic delay of menstruation), and instead of bleeding there is spotting brown discharge. This condition requires correction, since long-term imbalance of hormones can lead to infertility or the development of hormone-dependent diseases.

Gynecological diseases

The discharge of brownish clots and mucus instead of menstruation accompanies serious pathologies of the reproductive sphere. These can be diseases of an oncological, hormone-dependent or inflammatory nature. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis based on the examination results. Possible reasons for deviation:

• polycystic ovary syndrome;
• endometriosis;
• dysplasia or cervical cancer;
• erosion;
• endometrial hyperplasia;
• endometrial adenocarcinoma;
• polyps in the uterine cavity;
• myoma;
• fibroma;
• inflammatory and infectious pathologies of the reproductive system.

This is not a complete list of diseases, a sign of which may be a change in the color of menstruation. The problem can also manifest itself against the background of a number of other pathologies - anorexia, hormonal disorders, sarcoma.

The presence of additional symptoms should be especially alarming - a strong unpleasant odor, pain in the lower abdomen, deterioration in general condition. In this case, you need to urgently consult a doctor.

Anomalies in the structure of the uterus

Sometimes the cause of unusual discharge at the end of menstruation or throughout the entire cycle is abnormalities in the structure of the reproductive organs. Congenital structural abnormalities of the uterus include:

• uterine hypoplasia;
• saddle-shaped, one-horned or two-horned uterus;
• the presence of a septum in the organ cavity.

In addition to abnormalities in the structure of the uterus, there are congenital abnormalities in the structure of the vagina - atresia and aplasia. Also, the possibility of abnormal formation of the ovaries or cervix cannot be ruled out. Such anomalies in the structure of organs can prevent the free excretion of blood and endometrial fragments during menstruation. This type of problem can only be eliminated through surgery.

Diagnosis of possible diseases

Given the variety of possible causes of this deviation, a comprehensive examination will be required to identify them. At the discretion of the gynecologist, these may be the following procedures:

1. Standard examination on a chair (if there is no confirmed pregnancy). Allows you to identify visible pathologies, injuries or early pregnancy.
2. A simple smear for microflora.
3. Cytological examination of a smear from the cervical canal.
4. Blood tests - clinical and biochemical. Indicate the presence of inflammatory processes and other pathological changes.
5. Blood test for antibodies to various infectious pathogens.
6. Study of hormonal levels - for this purpose, a special blood test is done to determine the level of sex and thyroid (thyroid) hormones.
7. Ultrasound of the pelvic organs. Allows you to identify structural abnormalities in the condition of the reproductive organs.
8. Hysteroscopy is a visual examination of the uterine cavity using a compact video camera.
9. Biopsy of the mucous membrane from the cervix or from the uterine cavity (allows you to confirm or exclude oncological changes).

Brown vaginal discharge is a symptom that should not be ignored. In some cases, it can signal a serious illness that poses a threat to the health and even life of a woman. Therefore, if you discover such a deviation in the normal functioning of the reproductive system, you should not postpone a visit to the gynecologist. Timely diagnosis and treatment will help maintain health and avoid serious complications.

04.12.2017 Smirnova Olga (gynecologist, State Medical University, 2010)

An unusual course of the menstrual cycle indicates changes in the body, and not always for the better. This article will clarify what brown discharge during menstruation may be associated with and what you should be wary of.

Characteristics of the symptom

Brown discharge at the beginning or end of the regulation is considered as a variant of the norm.

In the first days of menstruation and at the final stage, a brownish tint to the discharge means that there is little blood in the secretion. When it is released from the uterus, it combines with the local environment, oxidizes, coagulates and at the exit has this color. Such discharge can be light, dark brown, burgundy, in the form of dark clots or daubs.

Hormonal changes

The action of hormones determines the functioning of all human organ systems, so any change in their balance affects the health of the body, and in a woman, the reproductive mechanism and menstrual cycle are the first to be affected.

After ovulation, the hormone progesterone takes effect. It is his active work that prepares the endometrium to receive a fertilized egg. This mucous layer becomes thick and loose. When fertilization does not occur, at the beginning of a new cycle, the lining of the uterus is shed in the form of menstruation. To highlight it, female hormones - estrogens - are activated. That is, their level changes throughout the cycle, which is a normal and natural process.

Sometimes this well-functioning mechanism malfunctions, and before menstruation, progesterone is in excess or insufficient quantities, which affects the maturity of the endometrium and in both cases prevents the start of full menstruation, which appears in the form of brown discharge. Sometimes a lack of estrogen prevents the uterus from secreting endometrium, and instead a brownish spotting is observed.

Reception OK

Quite often, the prerequisite for the appearance of brown or nearly so is the use of oral contraceptives. Their action is aimed at causing an artificial hormonal imbalance in order to prevent pregnancy.

Especially in the first three months of using these drugs, disruptions occur in the female cycle. Brown menstrual bleeding can be either scanty or heavy in the form of dark clots. Read more about the reasons in the article at the link.

Intrauterine device and medications

A popular means of preventing unwanted pregnancy is the intrauterine device. This gynecological device is inserted into the uterine cavity to prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg. In the first months, the IUD can cause meager symptoms, since the body, which is not yet adapted, has difficulty removing a large amount of endometrium through the created barrier.

General medications, especially antibiotics, often cause irregular periods, which appear in an unusual color.

Relationship with age

The beginning and end of the reproductive period are the most sensitive stages in a woman’s life to hormonal fluctuations. Many changes and unusual symptoms observed in the reproductive system can be associated with them.

Often, girls who have recently crossed the threshold of puberty and experienced menarche wonder why there is brown discharge during menstruation, and not the expected bright scarlet bleeding. One to two years after the first critical days, such a sign is temporary, and it can be associated with the establishment of hormonal levels.

The same reason explains the irregularity and brown tint of menstruation with the onset of menopause. This is the body's natural reaction to estrogen deficiency. But this is acceptable until the point of menopause. After it, any brownish discharge, even a slight spotting, should be a reason to consult a doctor.

Secretion after medical procedures

Surgery always becomes stressful for the body. Therefore, the first cycles after operations are often different from usual. During such periods, there may be no regulation, or dark brown discharge may be observed during menstruation.

The appearance of brown clots indicates the removal of residual amniotic tissue after an abortion or clotted blood after surgery.

If the discharge has an unpleasant odor and is accompanied by discomfort, then everything indicates an inflammatory process and infection, which is quite common after gynecological manipulations. To avoid these, it is important to follow all the rules of the rehabilitation period.

Anomalies in the structure of the genital organs

Female organs may have a congenital pathological structure. These are vaginal atresia and aplasia, unicornus, bicornus, saddleback, septum and uterine hypoplasia. With these deviations, the excreted endometrium is simply retained in the pathological parts of the organ and cannot be excreted normally due to the existing obstruction. The disorder causes menstruation to appear as brown spots or dark clots.

Problems of this nature can only be treated surgically.

Discharge during pregnancy

The moment of conception in some representatives of the fairer sex is indicated by a brown spot, which indicates the implantation of the fertilized egg into the walls of the uterus. During other periods of an interesting situation, such a symptom is unacceptable.

It happens that in the first month of pregnancy the described symptom is indicated. When the time of regulation approaches according to plan, but conception has occurred, the woman may observe brown discharge. During this period, the threat of miscarriage is highest, so you should pay maximum attention to your health and avoid physical activity.

Women who are sexually active should know that many infectious diseases occur with the release of pus, which, when mixed with menstrual blood, gives it a brown color. In some cases, these diseases cause menstrual irregularities.

Tumors of various origins provoke the appearance of a similar shade during menstruation. Cancer makes itself known in the same way. If oncology is suspected, the material released from the uterus is taken for analysis.

Based on the nature of the discharge during menstruation, a preliminary conclusion can be made about the state of the woman’s reproductive system. Their color, smell, intensity, presence of clots and mucus are important.

How to distinguish normal menstrual flow from pathological ones

Regular menstruation is the main indicator of the health of the female reproductive system. At the beginning of each new cycle, a woman’s body begins to prepare for possible conception. If this does not happen, then the inner lining of the uterus begins to renew itself, eliminating old tissue through bleeding. A similar process can be observed monthly, and most of the fair sex have become accustomed to this cyclical nature. However, not all women are calm about the fact that the discharge during menstruation may not always be the same. That is why it is important to understand which of them will be within the normal range, and which secretions may signal a pathological process in the body.

Speaking about what female menstruation should be like, it should be noted that the normal menstrual cycle in a healthy woman consists of 28 days, and the discharge itself generally has a characteristic bloody, red or dark red tint and, as a rule, includes vaginal secretions, rejected mucous membranes of the uterus and mucus of the cervix.

Often, mucous discharge during menstruation has a different consistency, but they have the same task - to facilitate the release of monthly rejected tissue. That is why a small percentage of mucus in menstrual blood is normal. But what are the ideal periods in terms of their duration, and also, what volume of blood should be released?

The normal duration of menstruation is often from 3 to 5 days, and the amount of discharge falls within the range of 40 to 80 ml per day. A woman should be wary, as well as the state when there are frankly few of them, since this is significant. However, even the norm of such indicators does not indicate the complete health of a woman’s reproductive system.

It is also important to pay attention to other points: clots present in the discharge, their unpleasant odor, a possible change in color to a pink or brownish tint. In addition, the following points should be of concern:

• menstruation begins with brown discharge;
• brown ones are coming;
• Uncharacteristic discharge after menstruation is noted.

Such nuances of the course of menstruation are another reason to visit an antenatal clinic.

Abnormal menstruation without pathology

When we are talking about an isolated case of menstruation with clots, then a woman does not need to worry about this. Often, clots form due to completely harmless factors. For example, women should remember that during vigorous activity, blood is released somewhat more intensely, but in a sitting or lying position it is released more slowly, so such postures, due to normal blood stagnation, contribute to the formation of clots.

Another completely harmless reason why clots can also form is the abnormal structure of the uterus, for example, the presence of its bends, partitions or displacements. Such a deviation can, as it were, form a kind of “barrier” that blocks the natural blood flow. Because of this, the blood inside accumulates and coagulates, thereby forming clots. However, if they do not accumulate inside, but still come out, then there is no reason to worry. This anomaly can be determined quite quickly during an examination by a gynecologist.

Nevertheless, representatives of the fair sex are wary not only of clots in the discharge. Concerns can be caused by changes in their color (when the natural blood tint changes to pink, dark brown and even black), an unpleasant odor, as well as accompanying itching and burning in the intimate area.

The brown discharge that appears after menstruation can be called a residual phenomenon of the previous menstruation, however, like the dark discharge that precedes menstruation. This is a natural attempt by the body to cleanse itself and therefore there is no need to worry about it. However, if such manifestations are accompanied by an unpleasant odor, pain in the lower back or lower abdomen, itching and burning in the intimate area, then this may indicate the presence of an infection. In this case, it is better not to delay a visit to the gynecologist.

The color of the discharge may also change for other reasons. Thus, dark discharge is especially characteristic of teenage girls, who still have a rather unstable ovulation process. Therefore, they often experience scanty, dark-colored spotting instead of menstruation.

A similar picture is observed in women who have crossed the threshold of 40 years. This is an inevitable phenomenon during premenopause, and the brownish color of their periods indicates the natural aging of a woman’s ovaries, which are no longer able to function normally, as well as certain changes in their hormonal levels. And although such manifestations are unpleasant, this is also the norm.

Abnormal periods and pathologies

However, only a gynecologist can determine how safe the symptoms accompanying menstruation are. You should not engage in self-diagnosis, since these signs may signal a pathology, and only a specialist can notice it. Thus, the presence of copious discharge with clots during menstruation may indicate the following pathological processes:

• anemia;
• endometriosis
• hormonal imbalances.

But dark discharge, which may be accompanied by an unpleasant odor and blood clots, appears due to the following reasons:

A woman should rush to the doctor if, in addition to everything else, she feels unwell or notices the following symptoms:

• prolonged and heavy menstruation;
• menstruation is accompanied by pain and cramps;
• gray-yellow clots were found in the secreted blood;
• The period of menstruation was accompanied by nervous irritability and constant fatigue.

Anemia

Often, heavy menstruation, which is accompanied by the release of clots, can signal the development of a disease such as anemia. An even more common phenomenon is anemia that occurs against the background of iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia. Recent research data show that there is a definite connection between the formation of clots and the presence of an acute deficiency of this element in a woman.

As soon as the problem is eliminated, and will immediately cease to stand out. However, this does not mean that immediately after detecting blood clots you need to immediately start taking iron supplements. Uncontrolled use of any drugs often does more harm than good. And such a symptom is just a hint that it’s time to visit a gynecologist.

Endometriosis

The pathology is characterized by the formation of large dark-colored nodes due to immune or hormonal
failures. Often, the presence of blood clots in the discharge is the first sign of this disease. You should not delay visiting a specialist, since the advanced stage of the disease ultimately leads to infertility. Diagnosis of pathology is very difficult, and its implementation will require a thorough examination, as well as the availability of high-class equipment.

It is worth noting that the disease is signaled not only by blood clots and increased intensity discharge, but also by a certain soreness that is observed both during and after menstruation. Treatment for the disease will depend entirely on the area affected. Treatment may be prescribed aimed at eliminating hormonal imbalance, but in particularly difficult cases, surgery to remove endometrial nodes cannot be avoided. As a rule, after successful therapy, periods completely return to normal.

Hormonal disorders

Often, hormonal imbalance leads to rapid growth of the endometrial layer. Such changes lead to an increase in the volume of secretions or provoke disturbances in their cyclicity. In addition, sometimes there is an alternation: in one month there is heavy menstruation with clots, and in the other there are absolutely normal periods.

If such phenomena persist for more than 3 months, care should be taken. Often, hormonal disorders provoke pathologies of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and the ovaries themselves. As soon as a specialist identifies the problem and prescribes the necessary therapy, the menstrual cycle will immediately improve.

Effect of contraceptives

A contraceptive such as an intrauterine device is generally not only quite effective, but also safe. However, sometimes it can provoke intense painful pain. The spiral promotes the active rejection of endometrial cells, which is the cause of such phenomena.

In addition, the presence of increased blood clotting in a woman is also an additional factor for
formation of clots. But if these formations begin to resemble pieces of liver, quite large in size (2-4 cm), and the onset of menstruation is associated with intense pain, then you should immediately consult a doctor.

Pregnancy and childbirth

The presence of dark discharge, sometimes with clots, can accompany a woman during pregnancy and the postpartum period. In the first case, if, with a confirmed “interesting situation,” the woman continues to experience menstruation, this indicates an ectopic pregnancy. However, even during normal pregnancy, scanty darkish discharge or even periods with clots are likely to appear. This condition is not the norm.

Minor discharge indicates a lack of hormones necessary for normal gestation, which increases the likelihood of miscarriage. But menstruation with clots signals the presence of a hematoma in the area of ​​the internal os or a miscarriage. In all the described cases, an emergency visit to a specialist is required.

During the postpartum period or after an artificial termination of pregnancy, clots can also form. However, after 3 weeks this phenomenon should disappear. If this does not happen, then it is likely that separate measures will be needed to eliminate the remains of the placenta (in the event of childbirth), so you should immediately contact a doctor.

Sometimes women trace the relationship between menstruation with clots and the sexual intercourse that preceded it. This is possible if a woman has erosion, but in order to identify the exact cause of the phenomenon, an examination by a specialist is also necessary.

Infectious and inflammatory diseases

Scanty spotting, as well as disruptions in the menstrual cycle, can occur due to previous hypothermia. Such signs signal the presence of inflammatory processes in the uterine appendages, in the organ itself or in the area of ​​its cervix.

Moreover, in a situation where a woman had unprotected sexual intercourse with an unfamiliar partner, and in addition to scanty discharge, she experiences painful urination, pain in the lower abdomen, burning and itching in the vaginal area - this may be a symptom of latent sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, syphilis).

Other factors

It should be noted that even when a woman is not sexually active, which means that pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections cannot be called provocateurs of problems with menstruation, they can begin as a result of other factors. For example, permanent severe stress, sudden weight gain or loss, regular overwork and excessive physical activity can also provoke disruptions in a woman’s normal menstrual function.

However, a representative of the fair sex cannot always establish a connection between these phenomena on her own. Therefore, it is extremely important not to brush off the problem, but to contact a qualified specialist. It is quite possible that after research the pathology will not be discovered, but the woman will definitely find inner peace.

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