Spotting before menstruation: causes of pink or brown discharge

Menstruation is not the most romantic period in a woman's life. They cause a lot of unpleasant moments, even if they pass without any particular problems.

Discharge before menstruation can cause even more concern.

More often they are caused by completely harmless reasons and do not require special therapy.

But sometimes they can be a symptom of problems with the reproductive system. To distinguish normal discharge from pathological ones, it is worth considering what they are and what they are accompanied by.

Undesirable causes of spotting

In some cases, brownish daub, which has an unpleasant specific odor, is a sign of the development of serious pathology, gynecological diseases, hormonal imbalance and other problems with women's health. If such a symptom is observed every month on the eve of menstruation and ends after 5 or more days, the possibility of health problems cannot be excluded. Under such circumstances, doctors recommend undergoing a detailed examination and finding out the true cause.

The most undesirable reasons are the development of infection in the body and damage to the mucous membranes of the reproductive organs. On the eve of menstruation, the uterine mucosa is most vulnerable to the effects of microorganisms. This happens due to a slightly opened cervix. In this way, the uterus prepares to get rid of unnecessary epithelium, and the menstrual cycle becomes a “favorable” period for pathogens of various diseases to penetrate inside it.

If vaginal discharge is accompanied by pain, fever and general weakness, this certainly confirms the presence of inflammatory processes. In relatively rare cases, these and other symptoms may indicate development in the body:

• endometritis;
• cervical erosion;
• tumors;
• adnexitis;
• hyperplasia, endometrium;
• fibroids;
• polycystic diseases;
• polyps;
• adenomyosis

Such diseases require timely detection, effective treatment and prevention.

The appearance of discharge after sex

Pink discharge before your period is a natural phenomenon. After all, the mucous membrane begins to be rejected, and the slightly open cervix makes it possible to unhindered the release of the first “swallows” of the oncoming menstruation.

Spotting after sexual intercourse can also occur, but for slightly different reasons. The most common thing that can cause the appearance of a brown or brownish smear is rough sex, which provokes significant trauma to the vaginal mucosa.

Such discharge cannot be called pathology or normal. They can be caused both by physiological processes in a woman’s body and by the presence of certain diseases.

• Light brown discharge may indicate the development of inflammatory processes, cervicitis, and vaginitis.
• Brown daub is a symptom of infectious diseases or a polyp.
• Pink – cervical erosion.

The most important thing is that the discharge is not accompanied by unpleasant symptoms: pain in the lower abdomen, nausea or fever.

Women's health is the key to the health of future generations, because the birth of a new life depends on it.

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How to react to discharge

If brown discharge appears, you should take it seriously. Each organism is unique, so the reasons may vary significantly.

If the spotting is regular, it becomes necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination in the form of the following procedures:

• gynecological examination and smear taking;
• laboratory tests and bacterial culture;
• ultrasound examination

After a thorough examination, injuries or any pathological changes may be detected. After passing laboratory tests, it will be possible to verify the presence or absence of harmful microorganisms. An ultrasound examination is necessary to clarify the full picture and diagnose diseases of the internal reproductive organs.

Women's health requires the most careful attention. Early detection of possible violations helps to avoid problems in the future. The stable state of the reproductive system is greatly favored by:

• minimizing negative destructive emotions;
• balanced diet;
• compliance with personal hygiene rules;
• regular sex life;
• a balanced regime of physical activity and rest;
• undergoing routine medical examinations and visiting a gynecologist 2 times a year

If violations occur, it is necessary to exclude self-diagnosis and self-medication; the best solution would be to contact a competent specialist.

Before menstruation, spotting often appears; the reasons for this phenomenon can be different. Let's figure out when "daub" can be considered the norm, and when it indicates problems.

Spotting from the vagina usually appears a few days or even a week before menstrual bleeding. If the spotting is transparent or white, then this is considered normal. During menstruation, the cervix opens slightly, which increases the risk of infections entering the genitourinary system. With the help of mucous secretions, the body creates protection against infection.

If dirty spotting appears, then this can be considered normal only when it is observed immediately before menstruation, that is, two days before the start of menstrual bleeding. Such discharge should not be accompanied by other symptoms: burning and itching of the genitals, poor health, etc. The day before menstruation, gynecologists consider spotting brown discharge to be normal. They are harbingers of critical days. However, if such discharge appears earlier, it is abundant and causes discomfort, then a visit to the gynecologist cannot be postponed.

Diseases based on the color of secretions

Dark brown spotting before the menstrual cycle can be a sign of various diseases - for example, the formation of polyps or endometrial hyperplasia. The latter is typical for progesterone deficiency or excess estrogen. Polyps appear when the uterus is damaged.

When taking oral contraceptives, vaginal discharge of different shades is not uncommon; there is a restructuring of the body's hormonal levels. Most often, they stop approximately one to three months after the start of use, the body stabilizes and gets used to it. But in any case, it won’t hurt to consult a specialist doctor who prescribed these contraceptives: perhaps these are poorly tolerated drugs. Then the doctor must replace them.

It is strictly forbidden to prescribe oral contraceptives to yourself; this can not only have a bad effect on your health, but also disrupt female hormonal levels. Hormones are no joke, since their restoration and normalization may take not even months, but years of work.

The following discharges are considered within normal limits:

• Moderate or heavy, clear (resembling mucus in the form of egg white or clear jelly) - appear before or during ovulation.
• Infrequent jelly-like ones are the norm and appear most often in the second half of the cycle.
• Intense, jelly-like vaginal mucus - appears a few days before menstruation and is secreted for about two to three days.
• Red or scarlet discharge that gets worse all the time is a sign of the beginning of the menstrual cycle.

Such discharge is considered not only the norm, but also an indicator that the female body works like a clock: and the level of all hormones is within normal limits.

There are cases when you really need to see a specialist so that he can establish the correct diagnosis and begin effective treatment. For example:

• Vaginal smear appears before every menstruation and has an unpleasant odor and color.
• Apply brown three to five days before menstruation.
• Vaginal secretion has become too abundant and has a strong odor.
• The secretion released is very thick, white and has a cheesy appearance.
• After the menstrual cycle, the discharge appears for a few more days and has a darkish tint.
• The secretion has a color that is uncharacteristic for your discharge. For example, with a brown, green or red-yellow tint.

Spotting before menstruation: causes

Often spotting that appears before menstruation is pathological in nature, the reasons for its occurrence lie in various diseases. It is necessary to pay attention to the amount of discharge, its color and the presence of other symptoms. Problems of the genitourinary system are indicated by spotting (brown, pink, red), before menstruation they can be observed with endometriosis, erosion, polyps.

Spotting before menstruation usually does not indicate a serious pathology. But it is still worth knowing the reasons for this phenomenon. As well as visit a doctor if the situation repeats. So, the probable reasons.

1. Women often begin menstruation with spotting.

That is, for the first 1-2 days there is a rather weak, brown discharge, which then acquires its usual color and abundance. Scanty menstrual flow is typical for both women with ovarian depletion and healthy women using hormonal contraception.

2. Brown spotting before menstruation occurs in case of pregnancy.

This so-called implantation bleeding is one of the first signs of an interesting situation, observed approximately 1 week before menstruation, which, of course, will not come on time. If you are not planning a child yet and had unprotected sexual intercourse in the cycle when there was a spotting, and menstruation is delayed, you must definitely do a test or donate blood for hCG.

3. Cervical erosion.

This diagnosis is made at least once in every woman’s life. And many doctors still consider erosion a risk factor for the development of cervical cancer. Modern research proves that there is no such relationship, and erosion itself (or rather, it should be called ectopia) is a harmless condition that does not need to be treated. Another thing is if a cervical smear (PCR) shows abnormalities, colposcopy results are unimportant, in this case a biopsy and treatment are performed.

So, ectopia is detected only during an examination by a gynecologist. But there are no signs of it as such. Spotting can only occur a week before menstruation, or on any day of the cycle.

Bloody discharge may be caused by sexual intercourse or a doctor's examination.

4. Brown discharge outside of menstruation occurs in many women who take oral contraceptives for the first three months or when changing the drug. This condition should not cause anxiety, so the body gets used to the drug. Soon everything will be restored. If the spotting brings you great discomfort, you can replace the drug with one containing a little more estrogen, for example, instead of 20 - 30, it should help. After installation of the intrauterine device, there may also be spotting, and for more than one month. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s installed or ordinary.

5. Adenomyosis (a special case of endometriosis).

Mostly women over 35 years of age who have not yet entered menopause suffer. Usually observed with this disease.

6. Polyps in the uterine cavity and (or) in the cervix.

It is believed that their cause is hormonal imbalance. Treatment of polyps is always surgical. Drug treatment, and especially traditional medicine, are not effective. The main symptom of polyps is just a brown spot before menstruation.

7. Oncological disease (for example, uterine cancer).

As you can see, the reasons are varied: some are serious, some not so much. Therefore, it is necessary to undergo an examination for your own peace of mind.

Menstruation is usually preceded by pain in the lower abdomen and lower back, headache, nausea, etc. This is explained by the fact that hormonal levels change for some time. But spotting before menstruation is a special phenomenon. It may be a symptom of some disease.

What to do

Since colored discharge before menstruation can have a variety of reasons, the etiology of its origin should first be determined. This can only be done with the help of a gynecologist, who will examine you and, if necessary, prescribe tests. Perhaps it’s all about the individual characteristics of menstruation, or you need to change the method of contraception, etc.

If we are talking about normal reasons, then it will be enough to follow the doctor’s recommendations. If a pathology is detected, appropriate treatment will be prescribed. Perhaps the periodic appearance of discharge before menstruation is associated with problems with pregnancy (it occurs, but the fertilized egg is not retained in the uterus and breaks down). After determining the cause, further tactics depend on the results obtained.

Normal phenomenon or alarming anomaly?

The vaginal mucosa must secrete something all the time.
If you have spotting a week before your period, then don’t worry. In this way, the body prepares for the period itself: at this time, the cervix opens slightly, which increases the risk of getting an infection. The uterus is protected from infection by mucous secretions. However, if spotting appears regularly and lasts a long time before and after menstruation and is accompanied by unpleasant sensations, then you need to visit a gynecologist. By comparing the symptoms - pain, duration, intensity of the cycle - the doctor must determine the presence or absence of pathology. Moreover, you will have to undergo tests and examinations to establish a final diagnosis.

Ignore or check?

The reasons for spotting before menstruation can be very different. Self-diagnosis is inappropriate here - you should consult a doctor. If nothing else bothers you, then this is completely normal. It should only be transparent.

Dangerous symptoms

Dangerous can be called abundant and periodically occurring dark brown spotting or even black spotting before menstruation, which can be a harbinger of diseases or inflammatory processes. Other symptoms indicating the development of pathology include:

1. Burning and discomfort during urination.
2. Itching.
3. Painful intercourse.
4. The smear is dark brown in color and does not stop even on the 5th day.
5. Severe pain in the lower back.
6. The appearance of discharge between periods.

The most common cause of spotting is endometriosis. The disease is an abnormal growth of the endometrium, that is, the inner layer of the uterus, beyond the natural boundaries. For example, the lesion may be present in the intestines, abdomen, or bladder.

The main symptom of the disease is a large number of clots in menstruation, the color of which can be dark burgundy or chocolate. And also the disease manifests itself in the fact that it begins to smear brown before menstruation, the reason is not only in the structural change in the vaginal discharge, but also in the localization of the affected areas.

If the vagina smears brown before menstruation and at the same time there is discomfort inside, the discharge itself smells unpleasant and the body temperature is elevated, you should urgently consult a doctor. Spotting during menopause and painful sexual intercourse are also reasons to visit the clinic.

Diagnosis of menstrual cycle disorders is carried out through procedures such as:

1. Examination of the internal genital organs on a gynecological chair.
2. Taking a vaginal smear.
3. General blood analysis.
4. Ultrasound of the pelvis.
5. Blood test for hormones.
6. Biopsy and colposcopy of the cervix.
7. Curettage of the uterine cavity with subsequent transfer of the endometrium for histological examination.

During a consultation with a gynecologist, the patient should openly talk about the characteristics of the menstrual cycle, sexual life, diseases that she suffered previously, and hereditary predisposition to gynecological pathologies.

Based on diagnostic data and the collected medical history, the specialist confirms one of the following diseases:

• Endometriosis.
• Endometritis.
• Polyps.
• Uterine fibroids.
• STDs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis).

Endometriosis

Dark brown discharge before menstruation in the case of endometriosis is accompanied by aching pain in the lower abdomen. Mild discomfort bothers a woman in different phases of the cycle and intensifies before bleeding begins. Vaginal discharge may be brown, brown-brown or black.

Endometritis

The inflammatory process develops on the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity. Endometritis spotting is brown in color and smells bad. A woman is bothered by aching pain in her lower abdomen.

If the disease is not treated, it will become chronic and make the woman unable to bear a pregnancy. Miscarriages at different stages are explained by the fact that the pathology does not allow the fertilized egg to be securely fixed in the uterine cavity.

Polyposis

Polyps are benign growths that form either on the cervix or inside the organ. The main cause of the pathology is hormonal imbalance. Other factors influencing the development of polyposis: frequent or poor-quality abortions, surgeries, inflammation of the ovaries, cesarean section.

The presence of a polyp in the reproductive system can be suspected by spotting a few days before the onset of menstruation and at the end of bleeding. Patients with polyps also complain of pain in the lower abdomen and discharge after sexual intercourse.

Uterine fibroids

A benign tumor affects the cervix or uterine wall. Its size varies from insignificant, calculated in millimeters, to more substantial, occupying several centimeters.

The disease develops due to hormonal disorders in young women. But when menopause approaches and estrogen levels decrease, fibroids can resolve on their own.

Itching, unpleasant odor of the genitals and light brown discharge are characteristic of sexually transmitted diseases. In inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system, similar symptoms are observed.

Treatment is carried out using antibacterial and restorative agents. As necessary, the patient is placed in an inpatient setting.

Types of spotting before menstruation

There are five of them in total.

1. If on the eve of menstruation you find yourself with a white smear with a cheesy consistency, then most likely you have caught thrush (candidiasis). It’s easy to cure - the main thing is to tell your gynecologist about it in time.
2. Sometimes during the postpartum period a woman develops black spotting. At this time, the cycle is restored, and it may occur instead of the first menstruation.
3. Pink smear before menstruation appears due to erosion of the cervix. During this period, the uterus descends and exudes ichor. You must see a doctor, otherwise an infection may occur.
4. You may have a sexually transmitted disease or purulent cervicitis if the smear is greenish-yellow and has an unpleasant, strong smell. The same phenomenon can occur during pregnancy.
5. The most common is brown daub. It appears for a number of reasons. Most often this turns out to be endometriosis of the cervix or the uterus itself. It is accompanied by aching pain in the lower abdomen and discomfort during sexual intercourse. The uterus becomes hypersensitive, swollen, immobile, and the appearance of heterogeneous nodules and cellular formations is observed in its tissues. This is determined by the gynecologist during examination and ultrasound.

Typically, endometriosis occurs after an abortion, miscarriage, or cauterization of erosion.
In addition, with polyps and endometrial hyperplasia, brown discharge may also occur on the eve of menstruation. At the same time, endometrial tissue grows too much into the uterine cavity. This is due to the fact that progesterone is present in the body in insufficient quantities, and estrogen is in excess. Polyps appear after curettage and damage to the uterine cells.

If a woman takes oral contraceptives, then spotting also appears on the eve of her period, but in this case it stops after a few months. You can change contraceptives, but you cannot do it yourself.

Other reasons

• The first menstruation in virgins usually begins with spotting. Real periods don't start until a few months later.
• Spotting can be a symptom of approaching menopause in mature women.
• Hormonal imbalance can manifest itself in young women of childbearing age. In this case, it may turn into bleeding
• Light brown daub may indicate poor personal hygiene. You need to wash yourself more often or more carefully, without washing away the beneficial flora from your intimate area.

Light discharge

They are the absolute norm before menstruation and not only. The cervix produces mucus, which participates in the creation of normal microflora, facilitates the union of the sperm with the egg, and is necessary during sexual intercourse.

The separation of transparent or bright white masses before menstruation is a stage in which the body prepares for the rejection of the upper layer of the endometrium.

The discharge has the appearance of raw egg white, is denser and bright white. If they are not accompanied by other unpleasant signs, there is nothing to worry about. The combination of discharge with the following symptoms requires medical intervention:

• Itching and sour smell. The mucus takes on the appearance of curdled white flakes. These are clear signs of candidiasis.
• Pain during sexual intercourse signals an inflammatory process affecting the cervix. This can be adnexitis, erosion, cervicitis.
• Swelling and redness of the external genitalia, which also itch, indicate diabetes.

Yellow slime

Discharge before menstruation can be yellow or cream-colored. This is also one of the normal options.

In the absence of pathological causes, yellow discharge has a jelly-like consistency or with clots, practically no odor, and does not cause discomfort.

You should run to the doctor if they are accompanied by:

• Nasty smell. This is how nonspecific vulvovaginitis can manifest itself, which is caused by poor hygiene or, conversely, excessive cleanliness, intolerance to the components of gels and soaps.
• Abdominal pain, weakness, hyperthermia. Similar signs are characteristic of inflamed fallopian tubes or ovaries. The discharge also smells bad under these circumstances.
• Unpleasant sensations during sex. This means cervical erosion.
• Itching of the perineum and vagina, rotten smell. This happens with sexually transmitted infections. The discharge acquires a foamy consistency, and green color is added to the yellowness.

Establishing diagnosis

Spotting is not always the cause of the development or presence of any gynecological disease, but it is necessary to establish the exact cause of this phenomenon. To make a correct diagnosis, the doctor will carry out a number of measures:

• He will take an anamnesis - that is, listen to complaints and ask questions.
• He will conduct an examination using a mirror - this is necessary for a visual conclusion about the presence of tumors or other neoplasms.
• Prescribe ultrasound and laboratory tests.
• Take a smear for the presence of pathogenic microflora and the number of leukocytes.

What does the color of the discharge indicate?

Depending on the color of the discharge, the possible reasons for its appearance may vary. The most common are light brown and dark brown daub.

Light color may be the result of bacterial vaginosis and other sexually transmitted infections, as well as microtrauma of the cervix. Dark brown discharge, in turn, indicates the presence of coagulated blood in it.

Normal discharge before menstruation should not be accompanied by pain, itching or burning. The opposite phenomenon may indicate the presence of pathologies of the reproductive system. If we talk about the physiological norm, then the discharge in a healthy woman should be thick, have a color close to transparent white and a homogeneous structure.

In some cases, girls may encounter pink spots. The main reason for this phenomenon is considered to be the use of hormonal contraceptives. Also, pink spotting may appear as a result of previous stress or weakened immunity. In addition, discharge of an uncharacteristic color is one of the side effects of the intrauterine device. However, the reasons can be much more serious: infectious diseases, tumors, polyps, endometrial hyperplasia.

Black spotting most often occurs with a lack of thyroid hormones, taking hormonal contraceptives, and also with sexually transmitted diseases. Another reason for such discharge may be a sharp increase or decrease in body weight and frequent stress. Endometrial polyps can also manifest themselves as spotting and spotting before menstruation.

Treatment

The method of therapy primarily depends on the root causes of the appearance of spotting. Spotting a week before your period is usually treated with anti-inflammatory and hormonal medications. Based on the complexity of the situation, injections, tablets or suppositories may be prescribed.

In addition, folk remedies, in particular herbs, can be used for therapy. The most effective are decoctions of chamomile, sage and calendula. You can also use herbal teas, using them for douching or making teas. For example, chamomile decoction will help relieve inflammation.

Endometritis

The endometrium is the mucous tissue lining the inside of the uterus. Violation of its integrity, coupled with a decrease in local immunity, leads to an inflammatory process. It is often accompanied by an increase in temperature and the appearance of nagging pain in the lower abdomen, to this are added purulent or brown discharge instead of menstruation, and all this is a serious sign of pathology, which requires immediate contact with a specialist. If acute endometritis is not diagnosed in time, it becomes chronic, which can affect a woman’s reproductive function.

Is discharge dangerous during pregnancy?

When dark brown discharge instead of menstruation is accompanied by severe pain and a repulsive odor, this phenomenon may signal an ectopic pregnancy. By the way, if pain of any strength appears and it is localized in the genital organs, accompanied by atypical discharge, then you should immediately consult a gynecologist!

During the menstrual cycle, in every woman, the level of progesterone drops to almost zero, and the endometrium begins to detach, which leads to the appearance of menstrual flow. In the expectant mother, the body sometimes does not abandon old “habits” and, despite successful fertilization, the level of progesterone, which preserves the fetus, decreases on the days when menstruation should occur.

This is how brown discharge appears, which signals that the endometrium is still partially exfoliated. There is no need to panic, but this sign may also be a symptom of an existing threat of interruption of fetal development or, as mentioned above, its ectopic location. Consult a doctor!