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What Causes Brown Discharge When On Depo Provera Shots?
Question: I recently asked a previous doctor, Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX about a brown discharge that I was having. He stated that this is normal being that I am on Depo Provera and that it shouldn't last more than 3-5 days. It seems as though the discharge is constant to the point where I have to wear panty liners and everytime I wipe its always brown. Is this normal? Is it ok to have sex with this brown discharge because I have no fearing that there is something wrong with me. I am due for my shot within a week or so I don't know if this is a factor or not. Also, it seems as though I do not have my cycle throughout the whole day but as soon as I wake up I have a heavy period, but that is only that one time of the day my cycle doesn't happen anymore after that, should I be concerned?
Brief Answer:
The brown discharge is related to blood
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the question.
Breakthrough bleeding on the depo shot is very common. If this bleeding is light, it makes its way out as a brownish discharge. I believe that this is the cause of the discharge. Also, the fact that you are bleeding in the morning, but it is more likely brown throughout the day supports this theory. There is more blood overnight that accumulates and makes its way out in the morning all at once. Throughout the day while you are active, it is at a slower rate.
One way to stop this is to get your depo shot a little more often than every 12 weeks, perhaps every 10 weeks. Check a pregnancy test, but it should be okay to have intercourse while this is present.
I hope that this helps!
Dr Tim
The brown discharge is related to blood
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the question.
Breakthrough bleeding on the depo shot is very common. If this bleeding is light, it makes its way out as a brownish discharge. I believe that this is the cause of the discharge. Also, the fact that you are bleeding in the morning, but it is more likely brown throughout the day supports this theory. There is more blood overnight that accumulates and makes its way out in the morning all at once. Throughout the day while you are active, it is at a slower rate.
One way to stop this is to get your depo shot a little more often than every 12 weeks, perhaps every 10 weeks. Check a pregnancy test, but it should be okay to have intercourse while this is present.
I hope that this helps!
Dr Tim
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
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