Most of the time, brown discharge or menstrual blood is nothing to worry about! But if you’re experiencing other symptoms, it could be time to see a doctor.
When you hear the word, “blood,” what color do you think of? Odds are, red comes to mind pretty fast. Naturally, many of us expect our periods to be red too. But this isn’t always the case. “Normal” periods and monthly discharge come in a variety of healthy colors, from white to cream to pink, red, and yes — brown.
It can be a bit startling and scary when you first notice brown discharge. But according to USA Fibroid Centers, up to 60% of women experience brown discharge at some point during their monthly cycle! The good news – in most cases, brown vaginal discharge is nothing to worry about. It’s only when it’s accompanied by other symptoms that it might be worth checking in with your doctor.
Is brown blood during your period normal?
In most cases, yes! Dark brown period blood is both normal and common during your period.
Here’s why: Just like how some days you might feel more energetic or tired, hungrier or less hungry — your period can change from day to day and cycle to cycle too. These changes can affect everything from how heavy your flow is to what color your period blood appears.
You might notice your period blood looking:
- Bright red (like what we usually expect)
- Dark red (like cranberry juice)
- Brown (anywhere from light brown to dark brown)
- Pink (especially when mixed with other vaginal fluids)
A Teen’s Guide to Vaginal Discharge Colors & Changes >>
Why does period blood turn brown?
Most of the time, brown period blood is simply just blood that’s a bit older and takes longer to leave the body. You know how an apple turns brown after it’s been cut and exposed to air for a while? It’s a similar process with period blood. When blood takes longer to leave your body, it reacts to oxygen in a process called oxidation that turns it from red to brown.
Brown blood at the beginning of your period?
There are a few reasons why your period might start out brown:
- Your flow is just getting started, so blood is moving more slowly and has time to oxidize
- It might be leftover blood from your last period that’s finally making its way out
- Your hormone levels are shifting, which can affect how quickly blood leaves your body
Brown blood at the end of your period?
If you notice brown blood during the last few days of your period, this could be your body doing its final round of cleanup. Those last bits of uterine lining take longer to come out, which gives them more time to oxidize and turn brown.
*Brown blood can sometimes happen during ovulation too. This is more common if you’re starting your first period or experiencing hormonal changes.
7 Other Reasons You Might See Brown Blood Through Your Cycle
While brown blood during your period is usually normal, sometimes it can be a sign of other changes or conditions. As we go through some of these other reasons for brown discharge, please keep in mind that many of these are less common in teens and are usually accompanied by other symptoms.
1. Perimenopause
While this won’t affect you for quite a while (it typically starts in your 40s), perimenopause is another cause of brown blood. Perimenopause marks the natural transition toward menopause, when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen.
During this time, your body’s estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate unpredictably as the body winds down its fertility. These hormone changes affect how the uterine lining builds up and sheds, which can lead to irregular periods and changes in blood flow and prompt brown discharge and spotting.
2. Hormonal Birth Control
Some birth control pills and implants (like Nexplanon and IUDs) can cause brown discharge and spotting as your body adjusts to the hormones. These changes are usually just your body’s normal response to the hormones. For many women, brown spotting decreases over time. If you’re worried about changes in your bleeding patterns while on birth control, your doctor can help determine what’s normal for you.
3. Uterine Fibroids
While they might sound scary, fibroids are actually pretty common. Research suggests about 70% of women will have them by age 50. Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that can develop in the uterus, ranging from smaller than a pea to the size of a small melon.
When fibroids grow large enough, they can act like roadblocks for your period blood and cause it to move more slowly and turn brown as it oxidizes. Many people have fibroids without any symptoms at all, but if you notice other symptoms, it may be worth checking with your doctor.
Common symptoms of fibroids can include:
- Lower back pain
- Bloating or cramping
- Pelvic pressure or pain
- More frequent urination
- Blood clots during your period
- Increased fatigue and weakness
- Heavy periods lasting longer than 7 days
4. Early Pregnancy
Brown spotting can occur during early pregnancy, typically around 10-14 days after conception when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall. This is called “implantation bleeding,” which happens when the fertilized egg burrows into the uterine wall and causes a small amount of bleeding. Since this blood is usually light and slow-moving, it often turns brown before leaving the body. While most brown spotting during early pregnancy is normal, brown blood further on in your pregnancy is not typical.
5. Infections
Sometimes, brown discharge appears when your body is fighting off an infection, like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Usually, infections come with other signs like unusual odors, itching, or discomfort. The good news is that most vaginal infections are easily treatable with medication from your doctor, so don’t hesitate to speak up if you notice additional symptoms!
6. Endometriosis
Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to your uterine lining grows outside the uterus, commonly in the abdomen or pelvic area. These uterine-lining copycats respond to your monthly hormone fluctuations the same way your uterus does, building up tissues and breaking them down. The problem: your vagina clears out these tissues in every cycle. But outside of the vagina, there’s no system to clear them from your body. Instead, they get stuck, often leading to swelling, inflammation, and scar tissue.
Common signs of endometriosis include:
- Abdominal pain
- Painful urination
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Fatigue or low energy
- Brown spotting between periods
- Pain during or after physical activity
- Digestive problems during your period
- Pain during bowel movements or urination
- Intense period pain that interferes with daily activities
7. PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
PCOS can happen when reproductive hormones become imbalanced, affecting how and when you get your period. This imbalance often leads to irregular periods. This can result in blood staying in the uterus longer and turning brown.
Common signs of PCOS include:
- Irregular or missed periods
- Changes in hair growth patterns
- Persistent acne
- Weight changes
- Patches of darker, thickened skin
- Multiple small cysts on the ovaries
- Difficulty maintaining healthy blood sugar levels
While PCOS can’t be cured, its symptoms can be effectively managed with proper treatment. The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to manage — so don’t be shy about talking to your doctor if you’re concerned!
When Should I Talk to a Doctor?
While brown blood by itself is usually nothing to worry about, there are times when it’s good to check in with a doctor.
Keep an eye out for:
- Periods that go longer than 7 days
- Really short or really long cycles (>21 days or <35 days apart)
- Missing periods for several months
- Bleeding between periods
- Bleeding after intimate activity
- Pain that gets in the way of your daily life
- Fever
- Feeling extra tired
- Very heavy bleeding (going through a pad every 1-2 hours)
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