What causes brown discharge during menopause? Relationship with disease and countermeasures!

Brown vaginal discharge during menopause is due to irregular bleeding

The state of vaginal discharge changes depending on physical condition, menstrual cycle, and age. Therefore, it can also be a barometer to check your health condition.

Irregular bleeding is the cause of brown discharge during menopause . First of all, I will explain the outline of vaginal discharge and irregular bleeding and the reason why the vaginal discharge turns brown due to irregular bleeding.

What is a vaginal discharge?

Vaginal discharge is an acidic discharge from the cervix, endometrium, and vagina. It is important for women because it plays a role in protecting the female body, such as discharging dirt, preventing bacteria from entering the uterus, and keeping the vagina moist.

The amount and smell of vaginal discharge can be a concern, but there are large individual differences. In addition, when the body’s resistance is weakened by a cold, etc., inflammation occurs in the delicate zone, and the amount of vaginal discharge may temporarily increase or decrease.

The state of vaginal discharge also changes depending on the menstrual cycle. Immediately after menstruation, there is almost no discharge, and before menstruation, the amount increases and the smell becomes stronger.

Age also influences changes in vaginal discharge. The amount of vaginal discharge peaks in the 20s and 30s, decreases in the 40s as the secretion of female hormones decreases, and becomes almost non-existent after menopause.

What is irregular bleeding?

Irregular bleeding is properly called “irregular bleeding” and refers to bleeding from the internal genitalia (ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina) and external genitalia (part of the vagina, vulva) other than during menstruation. . Irregular bleeding is bleeding from the genitals other than during menstruation, regardless of whether the amount of bleeding is heavy or light.

Irregular bleeding caused by hormonal disturbances is called “functional bleeding”, and irregular bleeding caused by disease is called “organic bleeding”.

Just by looking at the color of the blood and the amount of bleeding in irregular bleeding, it is not possible to determine the location or cause of the bleeding. is important.

Why is the vaginal discharge brown with irregular bleeding?

Blood changes color and turns brown as it oxidizes over time after bleeding. In other words, brown blood is old and new blood is red.

If the amount of bleeding is small, it may become yellowish.

Causes of brown discharge

The causes of brown discharge during menopause are thought to be due to hormonal imbalance, the effects of menstruation, and illness.

Now let’s take a closer look at each.

Menopause or menopause (hormone imbalance)

Menopause is the 10 years from the mid-40s to mid-50s, during which the amount of female hormone secretion decreases toward menopause. Since the female hormones that have been secreted so far suddenly decrease, the hormone balance collapses and menopausal symptoms occur.

Irregular bleeding is one of the symptoms seen in menopause, and a small amount of blood may cause brown discharge.

In addition, during menopause, menstrual abnormalities such as prolonged menstrual bleeding, sudden increase in menstrual blood volume, and longer or shorter menstrual cycles may be seen.

In addition to menopause, excessive stress, overwork, and lack of nutrition and calorie intake due to extreme dieting affect hormone balance, so caution is required.

Before and after menstruation

Before your period, menstrual blood may mix with your vaginal discharge and cause brown discharge. Also, after menstruation, the blood remaining in the vagina and uterus may oxidize and turn brown, which may mix with the vaginal discharge and turn brown.

So if you have brown discharge before and after your period, it’s likely nothing to worry about.

However, if the brown bleeding continues for a long time, it may be caused by a disease such as a tumor or inflammation, so please consult a gynecologist as soon as possible.

forgetting to remove the tampon

A surprising number of cases of brown irregular bleeding are said to be due to forgetting to remove the tampon. After that, you’ll know you forgot to remove the tampon by brown blood or a foul odor.

It’s important to use tampons correctly, because if you forget to remove the tampon, bacteria can grow and become dangerous.

Be careful not to push the tampon string into the vagina together, as it is easy to forget that you have it in.

wound in the vagina

If the inside of the vagina is injured and the wound is bleeding, a brown discharge mixed with blood may also appear.

It is necessary to be careful when having sex when the vagina is not sufficiently wet, as friction may damage the mucous membrane inside the vagina. In addition, there are cases in which the inside of the vagina is injured and bleeding occurs due to the instruments used when examining the vagina in gynecology.

In addition, during menopause, the decrease in female hormones reduces the amount of secretion that protects the mucous membranes, and the vagina tends to dry out, so you may feel tingling pain and discomfort in the genital area.

atrophic vaginitis

If you have a brown discharge, you may have atrophic vaginitis . Atrophic vaginitis is a disease in which vaginal dryness and inflammation occur in the vagina and vulva due to a decrease in the secretion of female hormones. Any woman who has gone through menopause can develop it.

When the secretion of female hormones decreases, the number of normal bacteria in the vagina decreases, making it easier for pathogenic bacteria to propagate. In addition, the mucous membrane of the vagina becomes weak, tends to dry out, and is easily damaged. It is important to take good care of the delicate zone because it is easy to get cystitis.

Atrophic vaginitis has a wide variety of symptoms depending on the state of the vagina. The main symptoms are:

• Brown or yellow discharge
• brown pus-like discharge
• foul odor from vaginal discharge
• feel pain when urinating
• itching due to dryness
• Pain from rubbing underwear
• Difficulty or pain when inserting instruments for examination at a gynecological clinic
• intercourse pain
• Burning sensation in the vagina or vulva
• irregular bleeding etc.

Atrophic vaginitis is treated after making sure there is no cancer anywhere. In some cases, symptoms such as atrophic vaginitis are caused by uterine cancer, so if you have subjective symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Effects of diseases such as infections and cancer

Inflammation from an infection or cancer may also cause irregular bleeding and brown discharge.

Just because you’re sick doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll bleed a lot, so if you’re worried about irregular bleeding, get tested at a hospital.

Disorders suspected by brown discharge

From here, I will explain the diseases that are suspected when brown discharge appears.

chlamydial infection

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in Japan and is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Infection causes chlamydial cervicitis and pharyngeal chlamydia.

Chlamydia infection is said to be asymptomatic in about 80% of women, but if left untreated, it can cause cervicitis, endometriosis, and pelvic peritonitis.

Uterine fibroid

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that form in the muscle layer of the uterus. Symptoms vary depending on the size, location, and number of lesions.

Unlike malignant tumors, uterine fibroids have almost no risk of metastasis.

cervical polyp

A cervical polyp is a benign, mushroom-like growth at the entrance of the uterus. This is caused by overgrowth of tissue in the cervix that can bleed easily even with the slightest stimulation.

Uterine cancer (uterine body cancer, cervical cancer)

Uterine cancer is divided into two types: cervical cancer and endometrial cancer.

Cervical cancer is cancer that forms in the cervix (the entrance to the uterus). It is said to be caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and is often seen in people in their 30s and 40s.

Endometrial cancer, on the other hand, is cancer that begins in the endometrium (the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus). It is closely related to the female hormone estrogen, and is often seen in postmenopausal women aged 50 to 60.

Both types of cancer can cause irregular bleeding and brown discharge.

Should I go to the hospital with brown discharge? Guideline for consultation

In the following cases, please consult a gynecologist for a detailed examination.

• Having a brown discharge or irregular bleeding after menopause
• Continuing brown discharge
• fresh blood, increased bleeding
• have abdominal pain or back pain
• Painful urination and sexual intercourse
• Other symptoms of concern

If it is abnormal bleeding before and after menstruation, it is highly likely that there is nothing to worry about. It’s safe.

Endometrial cancer is highly curable if detected early, so early detection is important.

Measures and care methods for brown discharge

If you see brown discharge (irregular bleeding) as one of the symptoms of menopause, not due to disease, try the following measures and care methods.

• get a good night’s sleep
• Make sure you eat a well-balanced diet
• actively consume soy products
• Engage in moderate exercise to improve blood circulation
• no stress

Irregular lifestyles, eating habits, and stress can exacerbate menopausal symptoms. It is important to be conscious of a healthy life so as not to burden the mind and body as much as possible.

take herbal medicine

For those who want to deal with brown discharge with medicine, we recommend herbal medicine that has a low risk of side effects. Chinese herbal medicine, which has become popular among generations, is good for those who want to fundamentally improve their constitution.

Kampo medicine aims at fundamental improvement by prescribing according to individual symptoms and constitution. It is especially good at many symptoms that occur in menopause, and is recommended by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Society.

Chinese herbal medicine recommended when you have brown discharge

For brown discharge, if it is irregular bleeding, choose a herbal medicine that will stop bleeding and balance hormones. If it is caused by vaginal dryness, choose a herbal medicine that increases moisture. I will continue.

In addition to supplying nutrients to the whole body by supplementing blood and improving blood flow, it also restores the mind and body to normal by raising immunity and regulating the autonomic nervous system.

• Rokumigan : Used for people with dry mouth and skin, and those with lack of moisture in the body, such as lack of moisture in the vagina. It is also effective for swelling, hot flashes, and frequent urination.
• Kyukikyogaito : Used for irregular bleeding. The wormwood leaf called gaiyo has a hemostatic effect, and is often used when menstrual bleeding does not stop or when menstrual bleeding continues.
• Unkeito : Warms the body and balances hormones. It contains Bakumondou, which eliminates the lack of moisture such as dry lips and skin, so it can also be applied to the lack of moisture in the vagina.

The important thing when choosing a herbal medicine is whether it matches the person’s condition and constitution. If it doesn’t match well, not only will you not feel the effect, but in some cases, side effects may occur.

If you are looking for a herbal medicine that suits you, it is recommended to consult a professional. Online services such as “ Anshin Kampo ”, where you can consult Kampo from the comfort of your own home, will prescribe a personal Kampo that matches your symptoms and constitution and deliver it to your home.

It is important to find out the cause of brown discharge

Blood in the vaginal discharge due to irregular bleeding may cause the discharge to turn brown. In most cases, brown discharge is nothing to worry about as long as you can see a little before and after your period.

However, brown discharge during menopause, especially after menopause, may be hiding something. It is important to get a detailed examination at a gynecologist as soon as possible, rather than spending time worrying about whether you are okay.