When it comes to early pregnancy, every woman wants to know what to expect. While there are many common symptoms associated with this phase of life, one off the list is pinkish brown discharge. While this may be a cause for concern for many women, it does not necessarily mean something is wrong. It is important for women to understand the different types of discharge and what they can mean for the health of the pregnancy. In this blog post, entitled “Pinkish Brown Discharge Early Pregnancy,” we will discuss the potential causes of this symptom and provide guidance on what to do if you are experiencing it. We will review the potential implications of pinkish brown discharge during the early stages of pregnancy and the steps to take in order to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Finally, we will provide suggestions for how to cope with this symptom, so you can get through it with confidence.
The start (or end) of your period
When wiping, if you notice light pink discharge, it might indicate that your period is about to start. Dead cells from the vagina’s lining are naturally secreted by the vagina to keep the area clean and healthy.
In actuality, your menstrual cycle causes changes in the volume and color of vaginal discharge. And toward the end, fluid frequently becomes lighter and manifests as light pink discharge.
Some birth control methods can also result in unexpected pink spotting or breakthrough bleeding when you’re not due for a period. Pink discharge can result from any hormonal form of birth control, including pills, implants, IUDs, birth control shots, and skin patches.
However, pink vaginal spotting or breakthrough bleeding is more frequently observed in women who use hormonal IUDs, implants, or low-dose or very low-dose birth control pills. You may notice this bleeding more frequently if you smoke or take your medications less consistently.
What can brown discharge look like?
Brown discharge doesn’t always look the same. It may appear lighter or darker depending on when in your menstrual cycle it occurs and what caused the discharge. Brown Discharge: 4 Causes and What It MeansSee All Sources [1]Reliable SourceCleveland Clinic
Brown discharge is frequently a typical occurrence during the menstrual cycle. When your period is almost over and you’re no longer blading but your body is still clearing out the leftovers of your monthly flow, it’s not unusual to see it.
Brown discharge, however, can occasionally signal abnormal bleeding, an infection, or another issue.
The majority of the time, brown discharge is unimportant, but abnormal bleeding should always be discussed with your doctor. Here are some possible causes of brown discharge:
After your period, it’s normal to experience some light brown discharge for a few days; this is just your old blood leaking out.
Sometimes a little brown discharge means your cervix is bleeding. This isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. The cervix is a delicate organ and may slightly bleed following a pelvic exam, for instance.
Following a Pap smear, some brown discharge or spotting is also typical. By using a cotton swab or soft brush to collect cells from your cervix, the test can result in some minor bleeding for the following few days. Trusted SourceAmerican Academy of Family PhysiciansPap SmearSee All Sources [2].
Additionally, particularly if it’s vigorous, you might experience a brown, blood-tinged discharge after having sex.
Though it’s a symptom many women don’t notice (or even have), pink or brownish discharge for a few days around the time of your period can also be an early sign of pregnancy. Is implantation bleeding typical in the first trimester of pregnancy?Reliable SourceMayo ClinicSee All Sources [3]
It is brought on by implantation bleeding, which happens after conception, typically five to ten days, when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining.
Physical symptoms like bloating, breast swelling, and acne are difficult to distinguish at this stage from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). However, it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test if you have brown spotting or bleeding, recently had unprotected sex, and your period is more than a few days late.
Brown discharge may be a sign of perimenopause, the time before your body starts to transition to menopause, if you fall into the age category, which is generally 45 or older. reputable sourceAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologistsbleeding during menopause and after menopauseSee All Sources [4]
Unusual bleeding or spotting may result from the hormones estrogen and progesterone not fluctuating during this time as they would during a typical period. If you also experience mood swings, hot flashes, and insomnia, perimenopause may be to blame.
When the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disturbed, bacterial vaginosis develops. This can lead to changes to your discharge. BV typically results in a green or grey discharge, but it can also appear brown, particularly after it dries.
If BV is the cause of your brown discharge, you may also experience itching or burning, as well as a rancid or fishy odor. Sometimes BV doesn’t cause any symptoms. Vulvovaginal HealthAmerican College of Obstetricians and GynecologistsSee All Sources [5] is a reliable source.
Your body produces less estrogen during menopause or while breastfeeding. As a result, vaginal dryness can occur.
Dryness in the vaginal cavity can result in discharge, which is typically yellow but can also appear brown if the vaginal tissues become irritated to the point of bleeding. Trusted SourceMayo Clinic ProceedingsVulvovaginal AtrophySee All Sources [6].
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) called trichomoniasis is brought on by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. The irritation brought on by the infection can occasionally lead to brownish bleeding. The unpleasant odor, itching, and painful urination are some additional signs of trichomoniasis.
If you are diagnosed with trichomoniasis, your doctor can give you antibiotics to treat it. No matter if they exhibit symptoms, it’s crucial to treat all sexual partners at the same time.
Implantation Bleeding
Implantation bleeding is another typical factor in early pregnancy light spotting. This occurs when the fertilized egg pushes its way into the uterine lining, drawing a few drops of blood. Generally speaking, implantation bleeding occurs one to two weeks after fertilization.
Although it can be simple to mistake implantation bleeding for a light period, this kind of spotting is actually a precursor to pregnancy. The bleeding from an implant may also be lighter in color than the bleeding you typically experience during your period, and it only lasts one or two days.
Read up on some other early pregnancy symptoms to see if you can spot any, then speak with your doctor if you believe you may be experiencing implantation bleeding.
Light spotting can be a normal part of early pregnancy. You might even notice a few drops on your underwear or it could be so light that you can only see it on toilet tissue after you wipe. It typically lasts for about a day and has a light color. It is typically lighter in color than your typical menstrual flow, but occasionally it can be red or brown. It is often painless.
Although spotting is typically not a cause for concern, it is important to inform your healthcare provider of any bleeding to ensure everything is okay.
FAQ
How long does pink brown discharge last in early pregnancy?
What does Brown and light pink discharge mean?
Can implantation bleeding be brown and pink?
The blood from implantation bleeding is typically pinkish or brown, but it could also be red. It could show up as one spot on your underwear or the bleeding could last a few days. “For most women, it’s usually much lighter than a period,” says Langlais.