Normal vaginal discharge usually looks clear or white. Occasionally experiencing brown discharge is not always a cause for concern. Women should bring it up with a medical care provider if it becomes persistent or appears on a regular basis. Other unusual colors of discharge include gray, green or yellow. Whenever unusual vaginal discharge is accompanied by a foul odor, a trip to the doctor becomes necessary, as it may be a sign of infection.
Following Periods
Palo Alto Medical Foundation points out that brown discharge that follows a woman's period is most likely old blood leaving the vagina. This may be the vagina's way of cleaning out any remnants of blood and tissue left from menstruation.
Ovulation
Ovulation, or the release of an egg by a woman's ovaries, occurs about two weeks after the menstrual period. Clear vaginal discharge proves common during ovulation. However, sometimes a small amount of bleeding can occur at this time and it may look brown suggests the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Experiencing this type of mild spotting every month should cause concern.
Following Sex
Sexual intercourse can cause some mild to moderate irritation inside the vagina. Brown blood following sex can indicate that some bleeding occurred and has dried a bit before leaving the body. Medical professional should treat any significant bleeding or pain following intercourse to ensure another condition does not exist, such as an infection.
Infection
Several infections, including sexually transmitted ones, can cause brown discharge, odor and even pain. This includes pelvic inflammatory disease, genital warts, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Routine pelvic exams will help to identify these infections before they get out of hand or cause more serious complications.
Cervical Cancer
The National Institutes of Health explains that cervical cancer can cause a wide variety of symptoms or no symptoms at all. Annual pelvic exams often include a screening for abnormal cells in the cervix, including those that cause cancer. Symptoms, when present, of cervical cancer include unusual and prolonged vaginal discharge that can appear pale, watery, pink, brown or bloody. Intercourse can increase the discharge or cause pain in the pelvic region.
Other Spotting
The Mayo Clinic points out that bleeding following the delivery of a baby proves normal and it can sometimes appear brown. Medical professionals should treat prolonged bleeding or the presence of a foul odor. Some women may notice some breakthrough bleeding or spotting in between menstrual periods that looks brown or red. This is also a potential side effect of some birth control methods, such as those that postpone the menstrual period.
