Brown vaginal discharge most commonly signals old tissue or blood, which is usually left over from menses or due to irregular cycles. Sometimes this symptom can be a sign of endometrial cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, and occasionally, sexually transmitted diseases. Brown or bloody discharge may also be more common in women who are going through menopause.
The most common cause of brown vaginal discharge is an irregular or incomplete period. Older blood usually has a brown tint to it and can be caused by a number of things. Sometimes menstrual tissues or blood simply take longer to exit the body, while in other cases a hormonal imbalance may lead to slight bleeding between periods. It is also considered normal to have brownish spotting right before and directly after a normal period.
In some cases, pelvic inflammatory disease may also lead to brown discharge. This is a condition in which the uterus becomes infected with bacteria. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, including an incomplete miscarriage, the use of an intrauterine device, and sexually transmitted diseases. Most times it is fully treatable if caught early, although it may cause long-term damage to the reproductive organs if not treated in time.
Sometimes sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia or gonorrhea may cause brown discharge, although this is more rare. In this case it may be due to irritation and bleeding in the reproductive tract, or from the infection itself. Both conditions are treatable once detected.
Rarely, brown vaginal discharge may be caused by uterine or cervical cancer. Many times, additional symptoms are present by this stage. These may include abdominal pain, digestive upset, and fatigue. Gynecological cancers may be treated successfully when caught early, although in many cases they are life-threatening.
Any unusual vaginal discharge should be investigated by a trained medical professional. Although it is usually benign and easily treated, sometimes it can signal a serious medical condition. This is especially important if other symptoms are present. Things to look out for are abdominal pain, bleeding between periods, vaginal irritation, itching, pain when urinating, yellow or green vaginal discharge, lesions on the genitals, a foul odor, and sometimes digestive discomfort.
