Brown cervical mucus is generally old, oxidized blood. It usually is a small amount of blood that turns brown on its way down the vaginal canal. The 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 lined with blood to prepare for conception. If conception doesn’t occur, the 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 cycle.
Ovulation can cause brown cervical mucus. There are a couple of possibilities for why this occurs. The brown mucus might be caused by the hormone changes during ovulation, which can bring about light bleeding. Another possibility is that 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 throughout pregnancy. Usually, the discharge is very healthy. Brown vaginal discharge during pregnancy can prevent infections from developing within the womb, keeping the fetus healthy and safe.
Brown cervical mucus is very common in early pregnancy. It usually is 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 lying low in the uterus, covering the cervix, or if the the placenta separates partially or completely from the uterus. Brown cervical mucus also is a symptom of early labor caused by dilation.
Brown cervical mucus might 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 is when the egg is fertilized, implants outside the uterus and starts developing.
Brown vaginal discharge might indicate a hormone imbalance. Hormone imbalances occur for a wide variety of reasons, including stress, diet and birth control pills. Mild menstrual bleeding can be triggered by a hormone imbalance. If only a small about of blood is released, it might show as brown vaginal discharge.
Cervical mucus is sometimes brown the result of 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 odor or an itching or burning sensation.
Simple lifestyle changes in diet and exercise usually are enough to treat brown cervical mucus. If the mucus is accompanied by an odor or other symptoms, there might be cause for concern. A doctor should be consulted, in case a more serious illness or infection is present.