Bad-smelling brown discharge can occur if a foreign object gets left in the vagina accidentally. Objects that can cause this might include:. Anyone who notices a brown discharge with an odor should see their doctor, as they may have a retained object or vaginal infection. PCOS is a hormonal imbalance. It may cause a brown discharge from irregular, light bleeding. Other symptoms can include:. PCOS is not uncommon. Those who suspect that they may have PCOS should speak to their doctor.
There is a range of treatments available. Some treatments for PCOS may make it harder to get pregnant. A doctor can advise on the most suitable treatment for those who do want to get pregnant.
Brown discharge may be a symptom of cervical cancer , but this is extremely rare. According to the National Cancer Institute, cervical cancer only affects around 0. In the unlikely event that the cause of brown discharge is cervical cancer, other symptoms may include:. The first test a doctor will carry out for cervical cancer is a Pap test. This can detect abnormal cells in the cervix. If a doctor detects abnormal cells, they might examine the cervix using a magnifying instrument.
They may then take a tissue sample for testing in a laboratory. For those who do have cervical cancer, a doctor will carry out some imaging tests to determine its stage.
Treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy , or chemotherapy. Brown discharge is unlikely to be a cause for concern and usually does not require a trip to the doctor. Are you pregnant? Do you have any other health problems, such as diabetes? If you have any of the following symptoms, see your healthcare provider: Discharge is yellow or green, clumpy or has a bad odor.
Rash or sores alone or with a vaginal discharge. Last reviewed: October Related Articles. What is Acne? More Resources. Medical Library Look up helpful health information.
Diseases and Conditions See our full library of diseases and conditions. Patient Information Practical info for Sutter patients. Tools and Quizzes Online tools to help you make decisions about your health. The Sutter Health Network of Care. Expertise to fit your needs. Vaginal discharge is, basically, mucosal secretions produced by glands in your cervix and walls of your vagina, according to the U.
National Library of Medicine. Discharge keeps your purpose is to keep your vagina clean and healthy by clearing out dead cells from its lining, per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ACOG.
It also provides lubrication to protect your vagina from infection and irritation. Berens, M. FYI: That process is called oxidization—when red blood mixes with air and turns a brownish hue. Another potential cause: Your birth-control methods. The same goes for other hormonal methods of birth control that contain progestin, along with a lower dose of estrogen like the Pill, patch, or vaginal ring —they might cause spotting or darker colored discharge.
This causes it to turn brown or even black in color. If you see brown blood at the beginning or end of your period, this is completely normal. Your vagina is simply cleaning itself out. Other times, brown discharge may signal a hormonal imbalance. Estrogen helps stabilize the endometrial uterine lining. If you have too little estrogen circulating, the lining may break down at different points throughout your cycle. Hormonal contraception, like birth control pills , may lead to spotting in the first months of use.
Breakthrough bleeding is more common if your contraceptive contains less than 35 micrograms of estrogen. If your spotting continues for more than three months, consider talking to a doctor about changing birth control methods.
A contraceptive with more estrogen may help stop the spotting. A small number of people — around 3 percent — experience ovulation spotting at the midpoint of their menstrual cycles. This is when the egg is released from the ovary. The color of the spotting may range from red to pink to brown and may also be mixed with clear discharge. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled pockets or sacks that develop on one or both ovaries. It may not cause any symptoms and it may go away on its own after a few months.
If this happens, it may cause anything from brown spotting to pain or heaviness in your pelvis. Cysts of any type that continue to grow risk rupturing or twisting the ovary. If you suspect that you may have a cyst, see a doctor or other healthcare provider. Sexually transmitted infections STIs may lead to brown spotting or bleeding.
Some infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia , may not cause symptoms in the beginning stages. In time, possible symptoms include pain with urination, pelvic pressure, vaginal discharge, and spotting between periods. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in places outside of the uterus.
It may cause anything from painful, heavy periods to spotting between periods. Without a way to exit the body when it is shed, the endometrium becomes trapped and may cause severe pain, brown discharge, and fertility issues.
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