Change in the consistency of vaginal discharge always causes concern in women, as it may indicate not only the natural processes in female body, but also a violation of the reproductive system. In this article, you will find out brown discharge with blood clots means and when you should see a doctor. Brown discharge with clots: how not to miss the pathology?
Discharge with blood clots during pregnancy
Blood clots during pregnancy is a normal phenomenon. Their presence is explained by the rejection of inner mucosa of the uterus, which goes out in clots. This symptom is not a disorder, as under the influence of hormones, endometrium is rejected and goes out gradually, while the blood is held in the genital tracts and excreted in the form of dense cluster of dark mucus.
At the beginning of period, uterus releases the brownish mucus. Then, mucous layer starts to remove in full force, which causes abundant bright red menstrual bleeding, which alternate with blood clots of dark-brown or brown color. At the end of menstruation, the discharge is brown, which is explained by the fact that hemoglobin, contained in blood, destroys upon reaching the vagina. At the output, a small amount of blood, it acquires brown color and is manifested in the form of smear. This change is considered normal. Sometimes, endometrium is rejected in the form of abundant menstruation without dense clots. This is another variant of norm.
Discharge with large clots can be observed not only during menstruation, but also:
- after delivery;
- in case of using hormonal drugs and means of emergency and planned contraception; due to surgery or abortion.
Sometimes, the discharge described acts as a symptom of disease of the genital organs. Often, such phenomenon isn’t accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, unpleasant smell and lasts only a few days.
Discharge instead of period
Brown discharge with clots instead of period indicates menstrual disorder. This phenomenon indicates the hormonal imbalance for several reasons.
Hormonal failure
This disorder occurs as a result of excessive or wrong use of hormone-containing drugs, endocrinological diseases, and sometimes because of stress. Such changes affect female reproductive system, provoking the failure of cycle. The composition and coagulation of blood. It can result in endometrial atrophy, manifested in smear instead of planned period.
Low hemoglobin
This disorder is caused by the deficiency of iron and erythrocytes. Anemia also affects the production of sex hormones. With low hemoglobin, the blood becomes more liquid; therefore, in addition to the sign described, there is a risk of severe blood loss.
Small weight
In women with a low weight, body activates the emergency mode and releases a small amount of blood, which acquires a form of brown smear.
Weakened immunity. After the diseases, traumas, operations and use of strong medications (especially antibiotics), the body dedicates all resources to the maintenance of protective function. Against the background of reduced immunity, the period can be delayed or come in the form of brown discharge with clots.
Symptom before period
Brown and pink discharge before period is acceptable one-two days before menstruation and explained by the increased level of progesterone, which stimulates the rejection of swollen endometrium. If the process started much earlier, this phenomenon indicates a pathology. Follow the link to find out what disorders may be related to the emergence of brown discharge before menstruation.
Effect of contraceptives
Too abundant discharge with clots during pregnancy indicates the imbalance of estrogen and progesterone. This disorder can be a consequence of the use of hormonal preparations.
In most cases, the first three months of treatment with hormonal contraceptives are accompanied by intermenstrual bleeding, often with clots.
Installation of intrauterine spiral also causes similar symptoms, as this device prevents the removal of blood, which (when delayed), clots and acquires this form. This consistency of liquid released is caused by the fertilized egg that couldn’t take hold in the uterine cavity due to the IUD.
There are a number of drugs, stimulating the beginning of period, which can cause the phenomenon described. Women use them as emergency contraception. As such pills have a large dose of hormones, experts don’t recommend using them more often than once every six months.
Bleeding in postoperative period and after abortion
Medical abortion involves the combination of drugs: the first one kills the fetus, while the second causes the contraction of uterus, which rejects it. The process of expulsion of ovum is characterized by the discharge with dark clots. At first, they’re abundant and cause severe pain, then convert to the brown smear. The volume and duration of bleeding depends on the term of pregnancy.
After vacuum aspiration, curettage and cleaning, discharge with blood clots may also last several days. Follow the link to find out how long the discharge after abortion lasts. Shrinking to its previous sign, uterus pushes out the rests of fetus and amniotic material. Brown discharge after such manipulations is acceptable for up to one week.
If you note the brown discharge with clots of blood and pus after medical intervention, you have to go to the doctor, as this is an inflammatory process.
Pregnancy and delivery
During pregnancy, brown discharge is acceptable only during conception, when the fertilized egg is implemented into the uterine cavity. This phenomenon is one-time and short-short. If you note the blood clots in the second or third trimester of gestation, you may be dealing with the breach of endometrium, that threatens with miscarriage or indicates ectopic pregnancy.
Even a few drops of blood or insignificant brown smear in this period must be a cause for urgent visit to the gynecologist. In the family way, only transparent, white or yellowish secretion without pain and discomfort is normal.
A few days after delivery, women may observe abundant discharge (as in menstruation) with clots. These are lochia — postpartum discharge. They include amniotic tissue, which (during the intensive uterine contractions) comes out with blood. Later, bleeding becomes moderate, gradually acquiring a brown color. Follow the link to find out how long the discharge after C-section lasts.
Climacteric period
With the extinction of reproductive function, the hormonal background starts to change, and consequently, produce insufficient amount of estrogen. During perimenopause, women’s life starts to change: menstruation delays (and closer to the menopause it may disappear at all) or is replaced by the brown discharge with blood clots.
we should note that in postmenopause, such symptom indicates pathological process in sexual organs.
Congenital abnormalities of the uterus
There are cases of anomalies in the structure and location of the uterus. Both congenital and acquired defect due to diseases, stress, operations and pregnancy are possible. There are different types of anomalies:
- One- or two-horned uterus.
- Saddle and arched shape of organ.
- Double uterus.
- In case of deformation of the main female organ, rejected endometrium delays and is not excreted properly, which explains the emergence of dark blood clots. For this reason, the period is delayed and can be manifested in this form.
Endometriosis
This pathology is characterized by excessive growth of internal mucous membrane of the uterine cavity. Brown discharge in case of endometriosis is not a rarity. The disease is reflected in the secretion with clots and unpleasant smell several days before and after period.
Polyps
Polyp is a benign neoplasm, represented by the growth of mucous layer of the uterus. With this pathology, the blood starts to release in the form of clots (both during and a few days after period). However, dark discharge after period may indicate endometritis.
You shouldn’t suggest a disease or pathology on the basis of the information provided in this article. Having found the discharge (clots or secretion with clotted blood) during menstruation, which is not related to period, you should see a gynecologist to establish the true cause of disease and receive timely treatment.
