Brown blood for a week instead of period

Q: Why do I have brown discharge but no period and negative pregnancy test?

If youre not pregnant and you notice brown discharge right before or after your period, around ovulation or occasionally after sex, its more than likely very normal. If you notice any other symptoms, like itching, odors or pelvic pain, check in with your doctor.

Brown period blood is normal when it's at the beginning or end of your period.
But you should see a doctor if you also experience unusual pain, a foul smell, or blood clots.
If you have brown blood between your periods, then this could be a sign of PCOS.

Period blood isn't always red – it can range from light pink to dark blackish-brown.

Table of Contents Show

When brown period blood may be a cause for concern
Insider's takeaway
Why is there Brown Discharge?
Brown Discharge- A Sign of Pregnancy?
Can brown discharge occur due to Infections?
Why is my period brown for a week?
Does brown period blood mean pregnancy?
Why do I have brown discharge but no period and negative pregnancy test?

Brown period blood usually isn't a cause for concern, but if it shows up in between your periods or with other symptoms like a foul smell, this may be a sign of a medical issue.

Here's what you need to know about why your period blood is brown and when you need to see a doctor.

We usually think of blood as bright red, but "blood becomes darker when it has time to oxidize," says Christine Greves, MD, a gynecologist at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

This is because the hemoglobin in your blood turns brown when it's exposed to oxygen – and it can happen when blood stays in your uterus for a long period of time. "It is basically blood that is not as 'fresh,'" Greves says.

This usually isn't any cause for concern. Here are a few normal reasons why you might see brown period blood:

Beginning of period. At the start of your cycle, you may be seeing leftover blood from your last period that stayed in your uterus and appears brown.
End of period. At the end of your cycle, you may see brown blood because the blood has spent longer sitting in your uterus before leaving your body.
Light period. If you tend to have light periods, you are also more likely to see brown blood during your period. This is because a light flow means that blood leaves your body more slowly, giving it more time to oxidize.

There are also a few other non-period related reasons why you may be experiencing brown blood flow:

Menopause. You might also see brown blood or discharge after menopause. This is because as your estrogen levels drop, the lining of your uterus and vagina can shed and become thinner.
Early pregnancy. Brown blood can appear very early in pregnancy. When a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of your uterus, you may have implantation bleeding. This bleeding is lighter than a typical period and can be brown.
After pregnancy. If you've given birth within the last six weeks, your body will continue to get rid of blood and tissue from your uterus. This flow may appear brown.

When brown period blood may be a cause for concern

When brown blood shows up in between your periods, it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS occurs when your body produces too much testosterone, making your ovaries grow larger and develop abnormal growths.

PCOS can also stop your ovaries from releasing eggs. When this happens, your uterus builds up its normal lining, but then doesn't shed it through the usual process of your period. Instead, you may have especially light periods and see bleeding in between periods with old, brown blood or discharge.

Brown blood usually isn't a cause for concern, but Greves advises that you should call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms along with brown blood:

You're having unusual pain.
You are bleeding through more than one pad per hour.
Your blood or discharge has a foul odor.
Your period is lasting longer than usual.
You are passing blood clots larger than a quarter.

Insider's takeaway

It's normal to see brown blood during your period, particularly at the beginning or end of your cycle.

But if you have abnormal symptoms along with brown blood, or see it in between periods, reach out to your doctor to check if you have an underlying medical issue.

"Just because brown blood is not uncommon, it doesn't mean that it should be ignored," Greves says.

Madeline Kennedy is a health writer for Insider covering a wide range of topics including reproductive and sexual health, mental health, nutrition, and infectious disease. Before joining Insider, Madeline worked as a health news writer for Reuters, and a domestic violence therapist. She has a master's degree in social work from UPenn and is interested in the intersection of health and social justice.

Why is there Brown Discharge?

Brown discharge is common among most females, especially around two to three days before the periods. In such cases, brown discharge may be a sign of period coming. Some women have brown discharge after their menstrual cycle. This happens when the uterus cleans itself after the periods. There may be very light or no bleeding in such a case. There can be very light discharge for several days after the period ends.

Use of Contraceptives or Hormonal Birth Control can also cause brown vaginal discharge. The uterine lining gets thinner if the female uses hormonal birth control. This condition may result in mild brown discharge even when there is no period. Brown discharge occurs in such a case as the body tries to adapt to the changes in the hormonal levels.

In rare cases, a female may experience brown discharge as a sign of ovulation. When the mature egg breaks open the ovary, there may be slight bleeding. The color of the vaginal discharge can be reddish pink to brown. Sometimes, it also looks brown discharge mixed with clear discharge. The female can also experience abdominal pain and cramps in such situations.

Brown discharge may also be a result of Breakthrough bleeding. There is mild light brown discharge in this case. A female may experience mild brown discharge between period cycles.

Some women may have mild brown discharge after sexual intercourse. This may be a result of vigorous intercourse. In such cases, brown discharge occurs due to slight bleeding of the cervix (vaginal canal). certain medical conditions can also cause abnormal or unusual brown discharge. certain health conditions which can cause brown vaginal discharge include-

Hypomenorrhea– Females who have very light bleeding during periods have a condition called hypomenorrhea. Pinkish or brown discharge can happen commonly instead of proper bleeding in the cases of hypomenorrhea.
Cysts in the ovary- Multiple cysts in the ovary can lead to brown discharge. But in case, when a female has multiple cysts in her ovary and experiences heaviness in the lower abdomen, it indicates Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Gynecological help is a must in such a condition.
Endometriosis- When the lining of the uterus grows out of the uterus, it is called endometriosis. Endometriosis usually cause intense pain and brown discharge. It is again a medical condition that requires proper treatment.

Brown Discharge- A Sign of Pregnancy?

A female may experience light bleeding and abdominal cramps in her early pregnancy. Brown discharge may be a cause of implantation bleeding, as an early sign of pregnancy. Implantation Bleeding happens when the fertilized egg implants in the inner lining of the uterus. There may be slight bleeding that may be brown in color at this point.

This type of brown discharge generally happens around the time the female is expecting her period. In case a female has missed her period and has brown discharge instead, it is mostly a sign of pregnancy. Consult your gynecologist to the soonest in such a case.

Can brown discharge occur due to Infections?

The abnormal brown discharge accompanied by several other complications and symptoms may be something you need to consult with your gynecologist.

There may be certain infections that cause abnormal brown discharge. If you observe brown discharge for several days and it does not stop on its own, it is wise to visit a professional (gynecologist) and get help. Certain infections or diseases that cause brown discharge are:

Gonorrhea
Bacterial Vaginosis
Chlamydia
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Brown discharge that occurs due to any of the aforementioned issues has other symptoms as well. Here are the other symptoms that accompany brown discharge in case of serious infection:

Fishy or Foul smell from the discharge
Itching or irritation in or around the vaginal area
Pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
Burning sensation or pain while urinating (dysuria)
Abdominal Cramps or tenderness
Mild or heavy fever

You should not take these symptoms casually, as they can get severe with time. So, waste no time and consult a gynecologist to the soonest when you observe discomfort or pain accompanied by brown discharge during pregnancy.

*Disclaimer: The content is written and reviewed as per the expertise and knowledge of the author and reviewer. For a final call related to ailment, we highly recommend people to Consult with a Specialized Doctor and take necessary decisions as per the Doctor’s suggestions.

Why is my period brown for a week?

Some blood released during your period can be leftover from your last period, or when your flow is slow, blood takes longer to leave your body. These are both normal reasons for brown menstrual blood and maybe why you experience brown period blood for a week.

Does brown period blood mean pregnancy?

Brown blood or spotting can sometimes also be an early sign of pregnancy that doctors refer to as implantation bleeding. Brown discharge or spotting during pregnancy can indicate a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, which is when the fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube instead of the uterus.

Why do I have brown discharge but no period and negative pregnancy test?

If you're not pregnant and you notice brown discharge right before or after your period, around ovulation or occasionally after sex, it's more than likely very normal. If you notice any other symptoms, like itching, odors or pelvic pain, check in with your doctor.