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What Does Prolonged Brown Vaginal Discharge Post Menstrual Bleeding Indicate?

Posted on Fri, 9 Oct 2015

Question: Hi. I am 34 years old andhad my period as normal last week. It was a couple days shorter than usual but on time. I had the normal end of period brownish discharge. However, it has been 7 days and I still have light-medium brown discharge but it smells really bad. Not heavy enogh to need a liner but is present on tp when I wipe or when I have sex. At first it had a strong iron blood smell but the past two days it has smelled more fecal like. I have never had this happen after a period before. Any help to understand this is very much appreciated!

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Need more information.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Thanks for trusting hcm about your health care.
I have gone through your history and understand your concerns.
Foul smell brown discharge is most likely due to vaginal infection but before giving my opinion I would like to ask a few questions from you.
Are you married and having kids?
Are you on any medication or on birth control pills?
Are you diabetic or having any other problem?
Itching or any other associated symptoms along with brown discharge?
Are you having burning during urination and any changes in bowel habbits?
Please revert back to me with my answers.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Good luck.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (27 minutes later)

Thank you for your reply. I am married with 4 children. I do not take birth control because my husband has had a vesectomy. Everything else is normal. Only slight burning but I'd describe it more as an irritation and that just started today. Not diabetic and no fever. I do have slight crampling feeling occasionally but its very random.

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Most likely due to infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
You are most welcome.
Sorry for the delay in my response.
I have gone through your history and it can be most likely due to infection ( fungal, STD and bacterial),cervicitis and polyp.
You should consult a Gynecologist and get pelvic examination done by a Gynecologist and vaginal swab culture and sensitivity done.
Pap smear is also be done.
In per speculum examination, she can able to see the condition of cervix and able to rule out cervicitis.
Ultrasound scan of pelvic can rule out polyp also.
Brown discharge can be due to hormonal changes but in your case as discharge is associated with smell and irritation it can be most likely due to infection.
Hope found useful.
Good luck.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (10 hours later)

How likely, with my symtoms is it cancer, cervical or ovarian? I have an appt set up in a couple days but I'm starting to get concerned because its not going away. My last pap was 2 years ago and it was normal. Since I had multiple normal paps in a row I was told I could wait 2 years. Experiencing more burning today and some mild cramping but its very mild. Discharge is still brown and very bad smelling but I still don't need a liner. There is a moderate amount however when I check myself.

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The chances are quite low.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
As your pap's smear is negative two years back and you are not having any associated symptoms which is suggested that you are having carcinoma( cancer).
The symptoms are most likely due to infection.
You are younger and these cancer occurs in advance age.
So do not worry and get yourself examined.
Everything will be fine hopefully.
Good luck.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (1 hour later)

I hope so as well. It seemed like a lot of the symptoms I have are also that of cervical cancer so it definitely concerned me. Thank you again for your time!

So as the day has progressed my breasts are now very tender and sensitive. There is no way I could be pregnant. Is this another symptom of an infection? Could this ve early menopause already? Any more info would be so appreciated!

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can be due to hormonal changes cause by stress.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Thanks for the response and sorry for the delay in my response.
Breast tenderness due to mild hormonal changes caused by stress.
In my opinion it can not be due menopause.
Please do not take so much stress,your symptoms are most likely due to infection and hormonal changes.
Hope it will give some relief.
Good luck.
Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar