It is true that the term “irregular period” does not have an exact definition because every woman's menstrual cycle is different. However, all menstrual cycles should be absent of brown spotting or discharge between bleedings. Presence of such is usually characteristic of an underlying condition.
Continue reading to learn more about irregular periods and brown discharge, including what you can ultimately do to achieve menstrual cycle health and well-being.
What Causes Brown Discharge?
Brown spotting and irregular periods are generally normal occurrences for women passing through menopause.
As the ovaries begin to wind down functions, drastic hormonal fluctuations will ensue, especially of estrogen and progesterone. Since these two reproductive hormones guided menstruation throughout women's reproductive lives, their alterations can provoke unsolicited symptoms, such as irregular periods. As a matter of fact, irregular periods are usually the first menopause symptom.
Furthermore, for women of all ages, brown discharge that occurs right before or after periods is normal as it is characteristic of the vagina cleaning out “old blood.” It may also occur when ovulating mid-cycle or in early pregnancy at the time when a period would normally come.
Starting or switching a birth control regimen can evoke irregular periods and brown discharge as the body becomes accustomed to the introduction of exogenous hormones.
However, brown discharge paired with irregular periods outside of aforementioned conditions is often symptom of an underlying health conditions or other factors.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder characterized by enlarged ovaries with various small cysts, excess androgen levels, and/ or irregular periods, which can include those with brown discharge.
Also, women with the painful hormonal disorder endometriosis - in which the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterine cavity - may suffer from irregular periods as well. Symptoms experienced by those suffering from endometriosis may include brown discharge, along with pelvic pain, painful periods, and pain during intercourse.
In addition, in early pregnancy, irregular bleeding or brown spotting could be a sign of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Both require immediate medical attention.
Treating Irregular Periods and Brown Discharge
Without a doubt, treatment methods aimed at taking care of brown discharge and irregular periods will depend upon their cause.
If there is an underlying medical condition causing the menstrual irregularities, women should work with their medical practitioners for the best line of action.
Whereas, those resulting from the onset of menopause can be alleviated by pursuing natural and effective treatments for irregular periods that revolve around lifestyle changes along with herbal medicines to target the hormonal imbalance at fault. Click on the previous link to be that much closer to hormonal health and well-being.
- Intermountain Healthcare. (2018). Signs and Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.Retrieved May 15, 2019, from https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/live-well/2018/05/signs-and-symptoms-of-polycystic-ovary-syndrome/
- Jean Hailes for Women's Health. (2018). Endometriosis: Diagnosis. Retrieved May 15, 2019, from https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/endometriosis/diagnosis
- Mayo Clinic. (2019). Endometriosis: Symptoms & causes. Retrieved May 15, 2019, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354656
- NHS. (2018). Symptoms: Ectopic pregnancy. Retrieved May 15, 2019, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms/
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation. (n.d.). Vaginal Discharge. Retrieved May 15, 2019, from http://www.pamf.org/teen/health/femalehealth/discharge.html
- UC Davis Health. (n.d.). What are the signs of an early miscarriage? Retrieved May 15, 2019, from https://health.ucdavis.edu/obgyn/services/FP/early_misccariage.html