Why Is My Period Blood Brown?

August 21, 2024

What does it mean when your period is brown?

You might be surprised to find out that not all period discharge is red. I know—blood is red, right? Usually, yes. But sometimes, you might see brown period blood. There are several reasons for this, and most of them are harmless.

Why Is My Period Blood Brown?

You might not realize it, but some women have some vaginal discharge nearly every day. It’s often clear or white, but other times, you can experience spotting of other colors. For most women, brown discharge is simply a sign of old blood leaving your uterus.

What Does It Mean When Your Period Is Brown?

There are many times throughout your cycle that vaginal discharge could be brown.

Brown discharge before your period: Sometimes, the very light flow at the beginning of your period looks brown. You might even have brown spotting, or brown blood at the beginning of your period, instead of your period. Totally normal, and no reason to worry.
Brown discharge during your period: Again, this is usually very normal. Sometimes, your uterus has more tissue to clear out than other months, and it can often look brown instead of red. Other times, you might just have a bit of dark brown discharge instead of a period. It all depends on your cycle and what is normal for your body.
Brown discharge after your period: Old blood often looks brown. So, if this is old blood from your uterus a few days after your period, or the last couple of days, the blood is brown simply because it’s old. This brown discharge after your period is normal.
Brown discharge when you’re pregnant: Some women will have pink or brown spotting as an early sign of pregnancy. When a fertilized egg burrows into the uterus wall, it sometimes causes a bit of bleeding. This is called “implantation bleeding” and usually happens one to two weeks after conception.

Also—after you have given birth, you’ll experience lochia. Lochia is a three to six week period after giving birth that your body will bleed, usually a heavy red flow at first that turns yellow or brown after the first week or so.

Brown discharge between periods or with no period: if you just had a Pap smear test or vaginal exam, you might experience some spotting. If you have no other accompanying symptoms, you may have nothing to worry about. To be sure, contact your doctor.

Another time you might have brown spotting when you’re not on your period is after sex. Again, watch it and make sure it isn’t super heavy and doesn’t continue for several days.

Women and girls, from their first period through menopause, often have brown spotting when they are ovulating.

Serious Causes Of Brown Discharge

Why is my period blood brown image

There are a few reasons that brown discharge is concerning. It does not always constitute a discussion with your doctor, but if you notice some of these symptoms, it may.

Brown discharge continues for several weeks, or a period for longer than seven days.
It usually happens after sex
The discharge is really smelly
Pain and a lot of cramping
Vaginal itching

While brown discharge can be a cause for concern, for most women, it is normal. Remember to watch for other accompanying symptoms, and then you’ll know if it’s something you should bring up with your doctor. For the most part—you’re just experiencing that normal flow that comes with being a woman. For further protection, try our breathable, moisture wicking, buttery-soft microfiber leak proof undies for the day-to-day leaks and shop our complete collection of panties at Proof.com to find your style!

Why Is My Period Blood Black?

Why Does My Period Blood Smell So Bad?

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/period-blood

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321929#:~:text=Typically%2C%20vaginal%20discharge%20is%20thin,the%20uterus%20may%20be%20brown.

https://www.healthline.com/health/brown-spotting-before-period#:~:text=Sometimes%2C%20brown%20spotting%20is%20just,isn't%20cause%20for%20concern. 

https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-does-menstrual-blood-look-like-2721937#:~:text=For%20most%20people%2C%20the%20blood,Postpartum%20bleeding%20is%20called%20lochia%20.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/brown-discharge-before-period-5205804

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321929#:~:text=Pink%20or%20brown%20discharge%20or,burrows%20into%20the%20uterus%20lining.

https://alwaysdiscreet.com/en-us/incontinence-advice-support/postpartum-bleeding-stages

https://khealth.com/learn/vaginal-discharge/brown/#:~:text=It's%20normal%20to%20experience%20some,your%20vagina%20or%20cervical%20lining.

https://www.replens.com/fab-blog/what-causes-post-coital-bleeding-after-sex.aspx#:~:text=Sometimes%2C%20bleeding%20after%20sex%20is,red%20has%20brighter%2C%20new%20blood.

https://www.health.com/brown-discharge-8400662

https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/why-is-my-period-brown#during-pregnancy

https://khealth.com/learn/vaginal-discharge/brown/#:~:text=It%20takes%20time%20for%20blood,little%20longer%20to%20be%20expelled