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If you're not trying to get pregnant, and are worried that you might be, then seeing blood in your underwear can feel somewhat reassuring. Bleeding means you have your period, which means you're not pregnant, right? Not necessarily, because there's always a chance that you're experiencing implantation bleeding, which means the exact opposite: pregnancy. That's why anyone trying to conceive might actually feel a surge of hopefulness at the sight of a little blood. When a fertilized egg is in the process of attaching to the uterine lining, sometimes it can cause light bleeding, also known as "implantation bleeding," says Raquel B. Dardik, MD, an Ob/Gyn at NYU Langone Medical Center. During implantation, it's almost as if the embryo is "trying to burrow into the uterus," so it's normal to have some spotting, Carolyn Alexander, MD of the Southern California Reproductive Center told Refinery29 last year. It's easy, at first, to confuse implantation bleeding with your period. Hey, hoping to be pregnant and hoping to NOT be pregnant can both be pretty intense situations. Rather than losing it over a little blood, learn to spot the difference between the two, so you'll know right off the bat what you're dealing with. In general, implantation bleeding tends to be spotty and light, not necessarily flowing like a period, Dr. Dardik says. The blood itself is usually pink to light brown, she says. Some people say that it kind of looks like rust, and doesn't look like their typical period blood. But implantation bleeding can happen near the time that you get your period, which causes some people to think it's just an early flow, Dr. Dardik says. Often, the timing can actually indicate whether you have implantation bleeding or your period. A fertilized egg typically implants about 10 days after ovulation, Dr. Dardik says. "So, on a 28-day cycle, you would ovulate on day 14, implant on day 24, and skip your period on day 28," she says. That is, it could be implantation bleeding if it's happening a few days before you expect to get your period. "This assumes you are very regular," she says. "If you have cycles that tend to vary in length, even by a few days, it may seem to happen when you anticipate your period." So you can see why this could get confusing. Implantation bleeding can last a few hours or a few days, according to the American Pregnancy Association. The bleeding will go away on its own, and you don't really have to do anything when it happens — although it might be a good time to take a look at your calendar or pill pack and figure out where you are in your cycle, to see if it might just be an early period. Really, the only way to know whether you are pregnant or not is to take a test. Of course, you'll have to wait a few days for an accurate read. After a fertilized egg implants, the placenta forms and produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is what pregnancy tests are looking for, according to the Mayo Clinic. HCG enters the bloodstream first and then moves into urine, so that's why you pee on a pregnancy test. For an ASAP answer as to what's going on, head to your doctor for a blood pregnancy test. Otherwise, wait a few days until you expect your period to arrive and, if it doesn't, test then. If you are trying to get pregnant, paying attention to symptoms like implantation bleeding can later help you and your Ob figure out exactly how far along you are (romantically keeping tabs on the dates you've had sex helps with this, too). If you already know you are pregnant, and are experiencing light bleeding, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. Some spotting early in pregnancy is usually not a big deal, and happens to 15 to 20% of people during the first trimester, according to the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology. But heavier bleeding, or bleeding later in pregnancy can be a sign of something more serious. Welcome to Mothership: Parenting stories you actually want to read, whether you're thinking about kids or not, from egg-freezing to taking home baby and beyond. Because motherhood is a big if — not when — and it's time we talked about it that way. What is brown vaginal discharge?Finding brown discharge in your underwear or when you wipe can be disconcerting. The first time it happens, you might feel scared or wonder if it’s a sign that something’s wrong. Normally, vaginal discharge is clear or white. Brown discharge is simply old blood. Fresh blood has a bright red color. Blood gets darker the more time it spends outside your blood vessels. When blood comes into contact with air, it goes through a process called oxidation. As the hemoglobin and iron in your blood interact with air, your blood turns a brownish hue. Take a quizFind out what you can do with our Health Assistant Brown discharge may be a sign of many things, from the implantation of an embryo to an impending period. However, there are some warning signs that you should keep in mind when it comes to vaginal discharge. And if you’re worried that you’re experiencing abnormal discharge, it’s always wise to go see a health care provider. Are there different types of brown discharge?Even though brown discharge can occur during different stages of your cycle, it’s always caused by old blood. There are different reasons for why that blood appears. That’s why using a period tracker like Flo can be so helpful. These apps allow you to log any symptoms you have — itchiness, abdominal pain, brown mucusy discharge, etc. — so that it’s easier to understand why you’re experiencing brown discharge. What may cause brown discharge?There are many reasons why you could be experiencing brown vaginal discharge. These range from perfectly normal causes to reasons for concern. That’s why you also need to be aware of any symptoms that accompany the brown discharge. Some of the most common reasons why your discharge is brown may include:
Is brown discharge a period?Many people experience brown discharge before a period, when their flow is still very light and not much blood is coming out. It’s especially common to have brown discharge around two days before your period. It’s also common to experience brown discharge after your period. This is perfectly normal, and it’s your uterus’s way of cleaning itself out when your flow is light. This discharge can last for a couple of days after your period is over. This is usually a dark brown discharge that lightens over time. Although rare, some people experience very light brown discharge during ovulation. As the mature egg bursts out of the ovary, it can cause a small amount of bleeding and even a slight twinge of abdominal pain. You can use our online ovulation calculator to predict when you're ovulating. People who take oral contraceptives could experience brown discharge instead of a period. This happens during the week of inactive (placebo) pills. The fluctuation of hormones causes what are called “withdrawal bleedings.” Some birth control regimens don’t cause withdrawal bleeding for a long time. If you’re on birth control, you could also have breakthrough bleeding, which causes light brown discharge or spotting. Since birth control hormones also make your uterine lining less stable, you may have some brown discharge between periods. Usually, breakthrough bleedings tend to go away after a few months. As long as you’ve been taking your birth control properly and don’t have any other symptoms, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about. What does brown discharge after sex mean?Some bloody brown discharge after sex could simply be a sign of vigorous sex. In some cases, your partner’s penis or sex toys can make your cervix bleed a bit while having rough sex. This can result in some light brown discharge. If you’re worried or feel sore afterwards, ask your partner to be gentler next time or try to find a position that prevents deeper penetration. Sometimes brown discharge after sex can be a sign of a cervical polyp or sexually transmitted infection. Can brown vaginal discharge be a sign of pregnancy?Brown discharge may be a sign of implantation bleeding. This occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. As it does, it creates a small amount of bleeding. You might notice implantation bleeding as brown discharge when wiping after urination. Implantation bleeding tends to occur around the same time you expect your period. Although it’s usually very light, for some people, it is a bit heavier and resembles a period. So, if you’ve had unprotected sex and experience brown discharge and cramps instead of a period, it could be a good idea to take a pregnancy test (don’t forget to follow the instructions carefully). Brown discharge during pregnancy usually may not signal a serious problem. However, brown discharge during pregnancy can also be a sign of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and other dangerous conditions. If you’re pregnant and experience brown discharge, talk to your health care provider. It’s always better to be safe!
 Could it be perimenopause?Brown vaginal discharge can be a sign of perimenopause, especially if you’re in your 40s or 50s. As your cycle becomes more irregular, brown discharge and spotting are more likely to occur. Keep an eye out for other perimenopause symptoms, such as:
What infections can cause brown discharge?Although brown vaginal discharge is usually normal, certain infections can cause it too. These are some of the most common conditions that may cause brown discharge:
A foreign body (such as a tampon, condom, sex toy, or contraceptive ring) can also lead to an infection and cause brown discharge. Keep in mind that these infections don’t just cause brown vaginal discharge by itself. These are other symptoms to look out for:
If you’re experiencing foul-smelling or itchy brown discharge, or if you have any other abnormal symptoms, make sure to visit a health care provider. Any type of infection requires medical attention, and an early diagnosis is key to avoiding complications. What should I do if I notice brown discharge?The first thing to do is to keep an eye out for additional symptoms and note the timing of your brown discharge. If you’ve noticed some dark brown discharge before or after your period, it’s very likely just part of menstruation. But if it doesn’t go away, it could be a sign that it’s time to visit your health care provider. You should also note what your discharge looks like. Thick or stringy brown discharge that’s foul-smelling or itchy may be a symptom of an infection. Pain or a fever are also warning signs that you need to see a health care provider. Having a lot of brown discharge if you’ve never had any before can also be abnormal. Tracking your cycle can also help you determine if your discharge is normal. 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. When should I talk to my health care provider?Anytime you’re worried about vaginal discharge or any other symptom, you should talk to your health care provider. Although period-related brown discharge is usually normal, they can help you try to reduce or eliminate brown discharge if there’s a problem. If you’re on birth control, your health care provider might recommend trying a different method to stop brown discharge after your period. If your brown discharge is caused by ovarian cysts or an infection, they’ll be able to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of your discharge. If you’re perimenopausal, your health care provider may recommend hormone replacement therapy. This treatment could alleviate spotting and other symptoms associated with perimenopause. And if you’re experiencing brown discharge during pregnancy, it’s always a good idea to call your health care provider. Although it can be a normal occurrence, your health care provider can make sure that everything is going well. In most cases, experiencing some brown vaginal discharge is perfectly normal. However, you should track your cycle and any other symptoms to know when you need to call your health care provider. They’ll be able to explain what’s happening and treat any underlying conditions if necessary. The most important thing is for you to be healthy, happy, and comfortable in your own body! Am I pregnant if I have brown discharge instead of my period?Brown discharge instead of your period could be an early sign of pregnancy. About one to two weeks after a fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining (which occurs during ovulation), you may notice some pink or brown blood from implantation bleeding.
Can you have a brown period and be pregnant?Pregnancy. Brown blood or spotting can be a sign of implantation bleeding, which is an early sign of pregnancy. It usually occurs around 10 to 14 days after conception.
What does early pregnancy discharge look like Brown?Bleeding – light bleeding early in pregnancy is fairly common, and does not mean you will have a miscarriage. Brown discharge: This may look like coffee grounds. This “discharge” is actually old blood that has been in the uterus for a while and is just coming out slowly.
Is brown discharge a missed period?If you miss a period, you may have brownish discharge in place of a regular period or have it sometime after your period would have ended. PCOS and perimenopause are common causes. You may also experience missed periods followed by brown discharge if you've recently started using a new hormonal birth control.
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Brown discharge instead of period could i be pregnant
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