Brown discharge - read through forum but still unsure!

[chessisacontactsport]

I just realised today that I've been having brown discharge, I read a thread on the same topic but it wasn't especially helpfull.

I've just finished my period and, as the other thread stated, it may just be dried blood + normal discharge, but I feel this may be connected to an issue I posted about last night (but my thread seems to have been removed...?); My boyfriend noticed last night that the smell and taste of my downstairs was unusually strong and somewhat unpleasant. This, coupled with the discharge just has me a bit worried.

I've been on the pill for about 9 Months now (mentioning this only as it seemed relevant in the previously mentioned thread).

Please help!

[Brandye]

I had responded to your original post but one of the mods contacted me to say it had been "lost." I'll try to address them both now.

Towards the end of our periods, the menstural flow contains older and undernourished blood cells. As they die they change from bright red to a muddy or brown color. Some women occasionally have some discharge as you describe after the period seems to have ended.

Your original question had to do with your b/f had gone down on you earlier in the day quite happily but had to stop because of a foul taste in a repeat performance at a later time. You also asked about foods to flavor yourself.

Men can modify the taste of their semen somewhat with diet; we woman cannot. Our smells and flavors are determined predominantly by our drainage from several openings in the pudenda's crack. We can control smell and flavor only by hygiene. In the case where you had been "active" earlier in the day, there would have been quite a collection of juices draining and, as exposed to air, smelling.

It is best to cleanse thoroughly at least twice a day and after bowel movements. Clear, unscented soap (not anti-bacterial) is best because it rinses easily and will not leave an irritating residue. "Pure" bar soaps are fine but they should have no perfume. Shampoo works well and rinses easily.

Our aromas and flavors do very by time of the menstrual cycle. We also tend to drain more in mid-month. Yes, these issues or yesterday's post and today's post may be related. Usually a good touch up before sex takes care of it.

[Mega-Erotic-Princess]

i have the same thing, right after i am finished, i get brown discharge. I think it also is dried blood...

[shychick07]

I know this thread is three years old, but I didn't want to start a new thread on the same topic, especially when I have a feeling I will just be told to go see a gyno. But, I wanted to see if I could get some input before I go, since it's so close to the holidays and the doctor's offices may be closed today...

For at least the past six months, when I think I am starting my period, I have a brown discharge. Some months, I don't bleed the normal bright red blood; instead, I just have this muddy discharge. Other times, I have the brown discharge for about a week, then I get my "normal" period.

Thanks for any input!

[Brandye]

Many of us have a brown discharge towards the end of the flow and some start that way for several hours before the usual menstrual flow begins. It is simply old blood - left over from the last period or the final drainage for this month.

Before you see the doctor, get your facts in line. Are you on the pill or other hormonal contraceptive? Ever been on the shot or implants (depo or implanon)? Other symptoms that have changed? Cramps getting worse? Or better? Does not sound like an emergency so waiting through the holidays should not present a problem.

[shychick07]

Thanks Brandye. No symptom changes; cramps are the same as they have been. I am on the pill, Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I have been on it for a year and three months. Before that, I was on Kariva for 3 years, and I have also been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. My doctor took me off Kariva because my hormone level changed and the pill was no longer helping with my cramps or anything to do with my period. I have never had implants or taken the shot (I'm nervous about how depo would affect my periods). My mom suggested trying a douche. Might that work?

[Brandye]

With that history your doctor may taske you off everything for a few months and start over. That sometimed works. I am anti-douche. It may make you feel fresh for a day or so but in the long term will do nothing except make you more susceptible to vaginal infection.

So, you were correct: you are being told to see your doctor. I am also not a fan of either implanon or depo. Do talk to your doctor and ask about the ring. It is less effective with dysmennorhea and may be rejected for that reason if that is what you really want rather than contraception. A different type pill may be suggested.

[shychick07]

Ok, thanks.

[Brandye]

Same advice. The brown discharge is a bit more common for women on the pill. The hormones tend to decrease the floa and the uterus may not be completely flushed. This may lead to breakthrough bleeding mid-cycle or it stays and the "old blood" leads the way for the next period.

[shychick07]

UPDATE:
I found a gyno and had an appointment this morning. She (the doctor) was very informative and understanding. I did a bit of research last night to get more of an insight on different methods of birth control. We (the doctor and I) decided to put me on Nuvaring for five weeks to see how it works out. I have a followup on March 24 for a Pap Smear and to discuss how I'm doing on the ring. Thank you so much, Brandye.