Dark vaginal discharge is usually caused by blood, which is normal at the end of a menstrual cycle or during ovulation. However, heavy bleeding between periods or during pregnancy should be evaluated by a doctor to determine if there is a problem. Severe infections can also cause bleeding, but are usually caught and treated before reaching that point.
The most common cause of dark vaginal discharge is blood in the discharge. In most cases, this is normal and no cause for alarm. Women often have dark vaginal discharge at the end of their menstrual periods and sometimes in between periods, around ovulation. It is also possible for women to bleed during pregnancy, although this may indicate that there is a problem with the pregnancy and the woman should be seen by a doctor. In some cases, severe infections can cause bleeding from various organs in the reproductive system, although modern medicine is usually able to catch and treat these conditions before they get that bad.
It is very common for a woman to have darker vaginal discharge at the end of each menstrual cycle. This discharge is made from the lining of the uterus, which is shed once a month if a woman does not become pregnant. It is normal for the color and consistency of menstrual fluid to change during each period. The fluid may become darker towards the end of your period because the blood in it is older. Many women have vaginal discharge that varies from a deep russet color to brown or even black.
Ovulation can be another cause of dark discharge. Some women feel a few bright spots when the egg is released into the fallopian tube. The color of this spot can range from red to dark brown or black, depending on how long it takes to travel through the uterus and vagina. As long as the bleeding is light, this is considered normal.
Heavy bleeding that occurs between periods or any bleeding that occurs during pregnancy should be evaluated by a doctor. The color of the blood that is expelled at these times can be dark or red and can be an indication that there is a problem. Women with dark vaginal discharge during pregnancy should be examined to find out if the cervix is dilated, which may indicate a miscarriage. Those with frequent bleeding between periods should be examined to determine if a serious medical condition is the cause.
Occasionally, after a particularly severe infection, vaginal discharge will contain blood. This can cause dark discharges, although they are infrequent. In most cases, vaginal infections are diagnosed and treated before the infection has progressed to the point where it could cause bleeding.
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