Brown stringy discharge in the middle of the menstrual cycle can be normal, but in most cases it is caused by pelvic inflammatory diseases, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, polyps, cervical diseases or threatened abortion during pregnancy.
Bloody discharge is a common thing during menstruations. First it is bright red and heavy. In the end of the menstruation vaginal discharge becomes brown or dark red and scanty. However, intermenstrual spotting in the middle of the cycle should always be a cause for concern.
When Intermenstrual Brown Stringy Discharge Can Be the Norm?
During the ovulatory period (when an egg is released from the ovaries) in the middle of the cycle the discharge is usually mucous and stringy, with blood clots or of jelly-like consistency. Such discharge is odorless and not prolonged, it lasts just 1-2 days.
Pathological Brown Stringy Discharge
Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases
If you have prolonged sticky or brown stringy discharge, which appears right after menstruation, has unpleasant odor and is accompanied by abdominal cramps, it can be caused by the inflammatory process in the cervix and ovaries. The reason for such inflammation may be various bacterial and viral infections, which are hard to diagnose because of the vaginal bleeding. Insuchacase it is needed to consult with a gynecologist, to do the ultrasound scan and to begin the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy as soon as possible. Sometimes both partners need special treatment.
Endometriosis
This disease is often accompanied by long, heavy and painful periods. In such a case bloody discharge before and after menstruation looks like spotting, and in the middle of the cycle it becomes stringy and dark-brown in color. The disease necessarily requires consultation with a doctor, as the absence of treatment can significantly exacerbate the problem and lead to serious complications.
Uterine Polyps, Precancerous and Oncological Processes
If bloody discharge appears at any day of the menstrual cycle or after sex, and is experienced very often, it can be caused by the pathology of the uterine cervix. As a rule such discharge is bright-red or saturated-red. Sometimes there can be blood clots in the discharge, or it can resemble bloody jelly in consistency.
Threatened Abortion
During pregnancy the amount of vaginal secretions in the cervix increases. It looks like a mucus clot. Even the slightest bloody discharge absorbs this mucus plug and becomes jelly-like in consistency and brown in color. If your period is delayed or you have irregular menstrual cycles and experience such brown stringy discharge, it is needed to make all the necessary tests or the ultrasound scan in order to exclude pregnancy. Only after 37 weeks of expecting a child such spotting is regarded as a normal labor precursor. In other cases it is pathological.
Luteal Phase Deficiency (Phase After Ovulation)
Bloody discharge can be caused by low levels of progesterone (hormone, actively released in the second phase of the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy). Due to the progesterone deficiency 6-10 days before menstruation bloody spotting, which sometimes looks like the brown sticky grease, usually appear. In case you notice such discharge, schedule an appointment with the gynecologist andendocrinologist, because the reasons for progesterone deficiency can be various.
It is very important to remember that brown stringy discharge is always an alarming sign, which needs further examination and often additional treatment. Self-medication will help to relieve the symptoms, but not to solve the whole problem.