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Brown discharge with tissue can have many causes. Hormones usually play a role.
Brown discharge with tissue – possible harmless causes
Vaginal discharge is completely normal. It is usually clear or whitish.
- However, many women experience brownish discharge at some point in their lives, sometimes with small tissue strands.
- The discharge usually turns brown when older blood is present. For example, some women experience brownish discharge at the end of their period.
- Brownish discharge with small pieces of tissue may be caused by hormones. With light intermenstrual bleeding, the blood does not always come out immediately. If it is already a little older, the discharge turns brown.
- However, minor bleeding, which later manifests itself as brownish discharge, can also be caused by minor injuries. Brownish discharge can occur after certain gynecological examinations, but also after excessive exercise.
- Sometimes brown discharge is also a sign of good news. It can be a sign of early pregnancy.
- When the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, minor bleeding, known as implantation bleeding, may occur. This does not always happen, but when it does, it can be noticeable or brownish in color.
Brown discharge as a sign of illness
Brown discharge, with or without tissue, does not always have a harmless cause.
- A reddish-brown discharge is typical of HPV (human papillomavirus) infection.
- The virus can cause genital warts, but some types of HPV are also known to cause cervical cancer.
- Polyps in the uterus also cause brown discharge.
- In rare cases, brown discharge with tissue is caused by a serious gynecological disease. These include polyps in the uterus or cervix, fibroids, endometriosis, or even cervical cancer.
- Even though many causes of brown discharge are harmless, you should always have it checked by your gynecologist. This is generally recommended if the discharge is discolored, including greenish or yellow discharge.
- This is especially true if brown, clumpy discharge occurs after menopause. This can be caused by a serious illness that should definitely be checked by a doctor.
Hormonal contraception and withdrawal bleeding
If you use hormonal contraception, such as the pill, hormonal IUD, or contraceptive ring, brown discharge is often due to the hormonal control of your cycle.
- Due to the even release of hormones, the uterine lining usually only builds up thinly. At the end of the cycle, so-called withdrawal bleeding occurs—artificially triggered bleeding that is not a real menstruation.
- As this bleeding may be lighter, the blood often appears brownish or mixed with small tissue remnants. This is because it is older, already oxidized blood.
- If, on the other hand, you change your hormonal contraception, take a break, or take it irregularly, your cycle may shift temporarily – this can also lead to brown discharge.
