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What Causes Brown Vaginal Discharge?

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Posted on Thu, 25 Sep 2014
Question: Hi,
I've been having brown vaginal discharge. It does not have a foul smell or look like there is any dried blood, blood smell. The color is a brown cardboard box color. just the normal amount of discharge I usually have.
No pain, discomfort, burning, itching and no discomfort during sex. I have a paraguard IUD and I've had it for about 5 years. I checked to see if my string was still there, its is. This HUGE very dark brown clot came out when I was done checking for the string. I've also been having really bad cramping on my left side where my ovary is? Happens about 2-3 times a day for about 15 minutes. I've had dark reddish brown, dried periods/ spotting before and I know thats common with the non hormonal IUD, but this seems different. The last day of my last period was August 18th. I was wondering if this is common or could I be pregnant?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
PLEASE PROVIDE FEW MORE DETAILS

Detailed Answer:
Hello
THanks for writing to us with your health concern.
May I ask for a few more details ?
1. How long has the Paraguard been there, and have you every experienced such spotting in the past while on it , or otherwise ?
2. Since how many days is the spotting / altered discharge going on ?
3. Normally, what is the pattern ( cycle length and duration ) of your periods ?
4. What is your height and weight ?
5. Does any of these apply in your case - stress, recent illness or antibiotic use, use of hormonal medication for any purpose, travelling, smoking, drinking, late nights, erratic eating habits, unaccustomed exercise or weight changes ?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (2 hours later)
Hi,
The paraguard has been in for almost 5 years and i've never experienced this type of discharge. The discharge has been going on for about 4 days. My periods last from 5-7 days and is 29-30 day cycle between. It doesn't look like a blood spotting or deep reddish brown discharge. I've spotted between periods, old blood, and that will last about a day
I am 5'6'' and weigh 130-135lbs
I smoke cigarettes and occasionally drink, 3-4 times a month and have about 4 beers when I drink. No prescription medication, just an aspirin when I have a head ache and I'll take 400mg ibuprofen during my period for cramping. I went to the Bahama's for vacation from Aug 12-Aug19th, 2014. No illness, weight changes, my life style has been the same, nothing new. No new sexual partners,No infidelity, been with the same man for 5 years.
I took a pregnancy test when the spotting started, dr. google said it could be a sign of pregnancy with the IUD, was negative.
Let me know if you need any more information. Thanks for getting back to me! Hope to hear from you soon.
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
GET A WORKUP DONE.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
THanks for providing the details.
It is too early to take a pregnancy test anyway.
It COULD indicate a possible pregnancy, miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, but you need to wait till your next period for taking a test reliably and accurately.
From your history, there is no factor that stands out as responsible for the altered spotting.
Absence of pain, redness, tenderness or foul smell rules out infection to a great extent.
If the spotting persists for a week or more, then please see a Specialist.
An internal exam - per vaginum and per speculum, also a Pap smear should be done.
ALso, a pelvic ultrasound scan.
It would be worthwhile to have hormonal estimations - FSH, LH, TSH, Prolactin, OGTT, DHEAS, Free testosterone.
It would rule out conditions such as a cervical polyp, erosion, fibroid, ovarian cysts etc which could cause such spotting.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Aarti Abraham

OBGYN

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 6004 Questions

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What Causes Brown Vaginal Discharge?

Brief Answer: PLEASE PROVIDE FEW MORE DETAILS Detailed Answer: Hello THanks for writing to us with your health concern. May I ask for a few more details ? 1. How long has the Paraguard been there, and have you every experienced such spotting in the past while on it , or otherwise ? 2. Since how many days is the spotting / altered discharge going on ? 3. Normally, what is the pattern ( cycle length and duration ) of your periods ? 4. What is your height and weight ? 5. Does any of these apply in your case - stress, recent illness or antibiotic use, use of hormonal medication for any purpose, travelling, smoking, drinking, late nights, erratic eating habits, unaccustomed exercise or weight changes ? Looking forward to hearing from you. Take care.