Brown cervical mucus is usually old blood and can be caused by menstruation, intercourse, pregnancy, miscarriage, or infection. It can be a normal part of a woman’s menstrual cycle or indicate a problem such as hormonal imbalance, infection, or miscarriage. Simple lifestyle changes can usually treat it, but a doctor should be consulted if there are other symptoms.
Brown cervical mucus is usually old, oxidized blood. It is usually a small amount of blood that turns brown along the vaginal canal. Blood can be caused by many different factors involving menstruation, intercourse, pregnancy, miscarriage, or infection.
This type of mucus is common before a woman’s normal menstrual cycle. Each month, the uterus is covered in blood to prepare for conception. If conception does not occur, blood is released through the cervix. Brown vaginal discharge shows before regular menstrual blood when there is old blood left in the cervix from the previous period.
Ovulation can cause brown cervical mucus. There are a couple of possibilities as to why this occurs. Brown mucus could be caused by hormonal changes during ovulation, which can cause light bleeding. Another possibility is that the bleeding is the effect of the mature egg rupturing from the follicle during ovulation.
Sexual intercourse can irritate and tear the cervix. If it’s a small tear, a small amount of blood will produce brown cervical mucus. The cervix is especially tender and sensitive during pregnancy. Sexual intercourse during pregnancy often causes brown vaginal discharge.
Different types of vaginal discharge are produced during pregnancy. Usually, the discharge is very healthy. Brown vaginal discharge during pregnancy can prevent infections from developing inside the uterus, keeping the fetus safe and healthy.
Brown cervical mucus is very common in early pregnancy. It is usually caused by implantation bleeding. Implantation bleeding can occur when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus.
Sometimes brown discharge occurs during the third trimester of pregnancy. Brown mucus will appear if the placenta is low in the uterus, covering the cervix, or if the placenta partially or completely separates from the uterus. Brown cervical mucus is also a symptom of early labor caused by dilation.
Brown cervical mucus could be a symptom of a miscarriage, particularly if the brown discharge is accompanied by red blood and clots. Ectopic pregnancy often causes brown discharge. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the egg is fertilized, implants outside the uterus, and begins to develop.
Brown vaginal discharge could indicate a hormone imbalance. Hormonal imbalances occur for a variety of reasons, including stress, diet, and birth control pills. Mild menstrual bleeding can be triggered by a hormonal imbalance. If only a small amount of blood is released, it may show up as a brown vaginal discharge.
Cervical mucus is sometimes brown due to an infection. Some infections that cause brown mucus are yeast infections, sexually transmitted infections, or bacterial vaginosis. These infections usually show other symptoms, such as an itchy or burning smell or sensation.
Simple lifestyle changes in diet and exercise are usually enough to treat brown cervical mucus. If the mucus is accompanied by an odor or other symptoms, there may be cause for concern. A doctor should be consulted if a more serious illness or infection is present.
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