Is it normal for brown spots to appear after menstruation?

Have you ever found brown spots on your underwear, even though your period is over? No need to think weird immediately. This is very normal as long as there are no other suspicious symptoms. If there are symptoms that make you uncomfortable, start to be careful. In order not to ask yourself, here are things you need to know about the appearance of brown spots after menstruation.

Causes of brown spots after menstruation

The appearance of brown spots after menstruation has many meanings. The following are various factors that cause its appearance:

1. The remaining blood in the uterus

The brown spots that come out are often the residual blood that is left behind and just expelled.

The appearance of residual blood is usually darker in color than normal menstrual blood. The color of the spots of blood that comes out is no longer bright red because it has been oxidized after having remained in the uterus for a long time. The texture is also sometimes thicker, stickier, lumpy, or dry.

Most women experience brown spots in 1-2 after menstruation is over. Others have "come and go" brown spots for a week or two.

The appearance of spots left over from yesterday's menstrual blood is a common phenomenon. This condition is very normal and does not need to be checked by a doctor. The spots will stop shedding on their own over time. It all depends on how well the uterus is able to shed its lining out of the body.

2. Side effects of hormonal birth control

Types of hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills, vaginal rings, and IUDs can trigger the appearance of brown spots after menstruation is over.

Brown spots due to family planning tend to appear as a manifestation of irregular menstruation. However, there is no need to worry because this condition is very normal.

Dark colored patches are usually caused by low estrogen levels in the body. This makes the lining of the uterus less stable, which causes brown spots to come out of the vagina.

You can ask the doctor to change the contraceptive if you are not comfortable with the appearance of brown spots. Usually the doctor will look for other alternatives that have the least side effects for you.

3. Signs of pregnancy

The appearance of brown spots can be good news for those of you who are waiting for the arrival of your baby. If brown spots especially appear after a long period of late menstruation, this could be a sign of pregnancy.

The appearance of spots that are signs of pregnancy is called implantation bleeding. This means that the egg has been fertilized and implanted in the lining of the uterus. When the egg implants, the uterus will experience light bleeding that sometimes turns brown.

However, to be more sure that the spots indicate pregnancy, pay attention to other symptoms that usually appear early in pregnancy:

Tiring easily
The breasts feel sore and tight
Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness)
Dizzy
Mood easy to change

To ensure pregnancy, you can check yourself using it test pack at home or go to the gynecologist.

4. Perimenopause

Perimenopause is a transitional phase towards menopause that generally will be experienced by women nearing middle age.

Perimenopause usually starts about 10 years before your "official" menopause. Menopause itself generally starts in the age range of 50 years. Thus, a woman can start experiencing symptoms in her 40s.

Estrogen levels rise and fall during perimenopause. This makes your menstrual cycle change, which sometimes also causes brown spots to appear after your period.

The brown spots that come out during perimenopause can be few and last a long time or vice versa, many and briefly. It all depends on the condition of each person's body.

Apart from brown spots, other perimenopause symptoms include:

Hot flashes (sensation of heat from inside the body)
Insomnia
Dry vagina
Decreased sex drive
Mood or mood easy to change

5.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS is a disorder of the hormonal balance of the female body. PCOS is generally characterized by levels of male hormones (testosterone and androgens) that are too high.

One manifestation of this hormonal imbalance is a chaotic menstrual cycle, including the discharge of brown spots after menstruation.

The appearance of brown spots after menstruation is often experienced by women who have PCOS. In addition, women with PCOS will also experience various symptoms such as:

The appearance of excess hair on the face, chest and back
Obesity
The face tends to break out
The appearance of cysts on the ovaries
Irregular menstruation or no menstruation at all (amenorrhea)

It is not known exactly what causes PCOS. However, there is a strong suspicion that genes, insulin resistance, and inflammation can trigger PCOS. Women who have family members with PCOS are reportedly at a higher risk of developing the same problem.

Insulin resistance itself is a condition when the pancreas produces more insulin, but the body's cells cannot use it properly. Additional insulin is what makes the ovaries produce more male hormones that trigger PCOS symptoms.

Meanwhile, research published in the journal Steroids says that excess inflammatory reactions in the body can increase androgen levels.

Women with PCOS tend to have difficulty having children. However, with the right treatment the chances of getting pregnant can be increased.

Medicines that contain the hormones estrogen and progesterone are usually an option for women with PCOS.

6. Sexually transmitted infections

The most common symptom of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is abnormal vaginal discharge that smells bad. However, some types of STIs can also trigger spotting or spots outside the time of menstruation. Various diseases are usually characterized by this problem, namely:

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Bacterial vaginosis

In addition to brown spots, the presence of sexually transmitted infections in the body is characterized by various symptoms such as:

The vagina feels itchy
Pain when urinating
Pain during intercourse
Pelvic pain
Brown spots or discharge that smells bad

When to see a doctor

The appearance of brown spots after menstruation is usually not a cause for concern. However, not all causes are normal.

When brown spots appear accompanied by other symptoms that make you uncomfortable, you need to immediately see a doctor. Especially if:

In addition to brown spots, the vagina also secretes a yellow or greenish discharge
The spots come out in large quantities for a long time (more than 7 days) and don't go away.
Experiencing redness and swelling around the vulva (outer skin of the vagina)
Experiencing severe stomach cramps or pelvic pain
Feeling pain during sex
Pain and there is a burning sensation when urinating
Fever, usually indicates an infection

No need to be afraid to see a doctor. The reason is, the sooner the cause is known, the sooner you will get the right treatment.

Especially if the brown spots that appear due to sexually transmitted infections. Sexually transmitted infections can make it difficult for women to get pregnant and difficult to cure if they have spread to other organs.