Usually, the possible cause of the brown-black mucus discharge is the blood left over from the period: The amount of blood takes longer to get out of the body. will be darker in color due to oxidation, it may clot or be thicker than normal blood. This is a very normal thing.
During menstruation, the body sheds tissue and blood from the uterus through the vagina. This bloody discharge can vary from bright red to dark brown or black depending on how old it is. Blood that stays in the uterus long enough will react with oxygen (oxidize). Blood that has had time to oxidize appears darker.
If you notice on heavy days of your period that blood seems extra-thick, and can sometimes form a jelly-like glob, these are menstrual clots, a mix of blood and tissue released from your uterus during your period. They can vary in size and color, and usually, they are nothing to worry about.
Black period blood has been associated with sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. Dark brown or black discharge is occasionally accompanied by other STI symptoms such as: Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. Burning while urinating.
In most cases, black discharge is a normal part of the menstrual cycle. However, black discharge can also be a sign of certain medical complications such as hormone imbalance, STIs, and (in rare cases) cervical cancer.
This is normal. Sometimes months your uterus has less tissue to clear than others - when this happens, you'll experience brown discharge instead of a full period. It is typically nothing to worry about, but if you find this happening month over month, talk to your doctor.
Brown vaginal discharge can be a normal sign of early pregnancy, but, alongside other symptoms, it can sometimes indicate complications. Anyone experiencing concerning changes in vaginal discharge or dark brown discharge should contact their doctor.
Polycystic ovary syndrome can cause dark discharge due of the presence of uterine blood.
Although healthy vaginal discharge comes in a variety of colors, brown discharge can be concerning if you're not expecting your period, probably because the color is so close to blood. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, brown discharge is nothing to be worried about.
Darker blood is usually seen with heavy bleeding. Conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis can cause the uterine lining to be thicker before shedding (4, 8). This can make the blood look a purplish color (1, 4). Blood may look black if it sat in the uterus or vagina for a while.
Ovarian Cysts Can Cause Brown Vaginal Discharge
Some women are never aware that they have an ovarian cyst, for others, it can cause pelvic pain and irregular bleeding that can appear brown when discharged along with regular vaginal fluids.
A cyst may cause a sense of fullness with or without swelling in the lower abdomen. There can be a steady, dull pelvic pain or pain with intercourse. Sometimes a cyst will rupture, causing a sudden, sharp pain. A brownish vaginal discharge may occur.
Women with PCOS might have nonexistent light or unusually heavy periods, and symptoms may vary from month to month. It's common to experience spotting and vaginal bleeding between periods, in large part because they're irregular.
Treating Black Discharge
The treatment for black discharge depends on the cause. For pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID), early treatment is vital to prevent damage to your reproductive organs. Your healthcare provider will recommend antibiotic treatment to clear off the infection.
If you have brown discharge while not on your period, but it coincides with ovulation, this could also be normal. And if you suspect you might be pregnant, brown discharge one to two weeks after unprotected sex could be implantation bleeding.
It's common for your mucus to be white, off-white or clear in color. At certain times, especially if implantation has occurred, your discharge might be tinged with pink or brown. If this happens regularly, talk to your healthcare provider as it could be spotting between periods or signs of a problem.
When Should I Be Concerned About Brown Discharge? As long as your discharge is not itchy, smelly, or greenish-brown coloured, it is perfectly normal. Signs to look out for are cramping, pelvic pain or bleeding during sex, spots, weight gain, fever, or – as mentioned earlier – strange smells.
If you are experiencing pink discharge, you should see your doctor right away. The color and spotting could mean that you have: Uterine Fibroids. Pink discharge could indicate that you are spotting (bleeding outside of your period), and fibroids (non-cancerous tumors) are known to cause abnormal bleeding.
Normal discharge during pregnancy is clear or white, and usually a bit sticky; it should not have a noticeable odor. It's OK if your discharge looks a little yellow on your underwear or panty liner during pregnancy, too.
The good news is, brown discharge during pregnancy is usually normal and very likely does not mean something is wrong with you or your baby. In most cases, it's completely harmless.
You might pass large shiny red clots that look like liver as well as other pieces of tissue that look and feel like membrane. It might be painful and feel just like labour, and you might need pain relief in hospital.