The mucus schedule is closer to menstruation. How to distinguish pre-menstrual symptoms from pregnancy. What should be the discharge before menstruation?

Brown discharge before and after menstruation is not always a symptom of a dangerous illness, but, be that as it may, it is important to understand the cause of such a symptom. A comprehensive diagnosis will help determine the provoking factor, and timely treatment will relieve the consequences.

Causes of brown discharge

Brown discharge that occurs before or immediately after menstruation is often a sign of hormonal imbalance. Taking medications can provoke such a symptom. Most often these are hormonal contraceptives. The occurrence of discharge closer to menstruation indicates that in the second phase of the cycle there is a lack of progesterone. This may be an individual characteristic of the body, and can also be provoked by medications and pathological processes.

With a regular menstrual cycle, the amount of progesterone in the second (luteal) phase always increases. If this does not happen, spotting may occur

If a woman is taking oral contraceptives, then this symptom may indicate that the drug is not suitable in a particular case. This is due to the fact that if the balance between estrogen and progesterone is disturbed, hormonal medications are selected only taking into account the individual characteristics of the body.

The same medicine may not suit every woman. If the amount of progesterone in an oral contraceptive is insufficient, then this symptom occurs. This often happens when taking microdosed drugs, such as Jess, Yarina, etc. Especially in the first three months, when the body adapts.

The trigger for the occurrence of acyclic discharge may be an intrauterine device, which is installed to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The symptom may also appear after sex. In this case, we are talking about either the rude actions of the partner, or the presence of cervical defects: polyps, endometriosis, scar tissue, etc.

Normally, vaginal discharge before menstruation becomes scanty, thicker and more viscous. It may be white. In the first phase of the cycle (the period after menstruation), the secretion becomes transparent and more liquid. At the same time, you are not bothered by extraneous symptoms: itching, burning, frequent urination.

Why does a symptom occur - video

Physiological

If a symptom occurs a week before or after menstruation and is associated with a recent visit to the gynecologist, then do not worry. This sign is considered normal if it appears after taking a smear for oncocytology or after interventions in the uterine area: after cauterization of erosion, removal of a cyst, etc. In this case, the discharge from the vagina is not abundant and brown in color. Passes within two days.

Pregnancy can be a provocateur for the occurrence of such a clinical picture before menstruation. In this case, menstruation itself does not occur. There is only scanty brown discharge, which can last for a week.

If the symptom occurs 1-2 days before your period, there is also no need to worry. This is a harbinger of menstruation. A small amount of the endometrium (the inner mucous layer of the uterus) begins to be rejected, small bloody clots appear, oxidize under the influence of oxygen and mix with the secretion that is released from the glands and acquires a characteristic brown tint. This sign is not considered pathological.

Brown discharge that is present for 1-2 days should also not be alarming. These may be the remains of desquamated endometrium, which did not have time to come out completely.

Pathological

Pathological vaginal discharge often has a dark brown hue and a thick consistency. In this case, clots may be noticed. They can appear a week before menstruation and be present until its onset. What reasons can provoke such a symptom:

• erosion - the appearance of a defect in the mucous membrane of the cervix under the influence of a number of factors. Discharge is provoked by injury and occurs after examination by a gynecologist or sexual intercourse;
• endometriosis is the proliferation of endometrial tissue due to hormonal imbalances in a woman’s body. The symptom occurs 7 days before menstruation and appears immediately after it;
• Endometrial polyps - formed due to excessive production of estrogen and lack of progesterone, are neoplasms filled with brown liquid. Discharge appears when damaged areas are injured;
• cancerous tumor - malignant transformation of cervical tissue, which often occurs with the human papillomavirus, the symptom can accompany almost constantly;
• scars on the uterus - formed after cauterization of erosion and other interventions on the cervix or organ cavity. Mucosal defects may bleed after a gynecological examination, taking a smear from a damaged surface, and after sexual intercourse.

Pathological discharge may have an unpleasant odor or be accompanied by pain, bringing a lot of discomfort to a woman’s life.

Pathological causes - photo gallery

A scar on the cervix may bleed Cervical erosion is a precancerous disease Cervical polyp forms when progesterone levels decrease Endometriosis can affect different organs Cervical cancer is a deadly pathology

The nature of the discharge depending on the provoking factor - table

Associated symptoms

Often there are no additional symptoms. But in rare cases, brown discharge may be accompanied by:

• pain in the lower abdomen;
• general unsatisfactory condition;
• lower back pain;
• burning and cutting in the vagina.

If the symptom is accompanied by intense pain in the lower abdomen, and the discharge becomes profuse, you should immediately consult a doctor.

When to visit a doctor

If the main symptom is not accompanied by pain, but occurs only 2 days before or after menstruation, then there is nothing wrong with it. If the clinical picture is supplemented by such signs as a general unsatisfactory condition, an increase in temperature, then you need to visit a gynecologist. Consultation with a doctor is also necessary when the discharge is heavy and lasts more than 1-2 days.

Prevention measures

Prevention rules:

• Maintain intimate hygiene. Wash regularly.
• Do not select hormonal contraceptives on your own.
• Do not resort to abortion.
• Avoid rough actions on the part of your sexual partner.
• If possible, avoid using intrauterine devices.
• Visit a gynecologist once a year and have a smear for oncocytology.
• Do not take emergency contraceptive medications. They can provoke serious hormonal imbalances.
• Strengthen immunity.

To prevent such symptoms, I try to visit a gynecologist once a year. I encountered brown discharge when an endometrioid lesion was diagnosed. During menstruation, she felt pain, which was sometimes difficult to relieve with analgesics. After cauterization of the lesion, the doctor prescribed low-dose hormonal contraceptives, which are indicated to be taken for endometriosis. The specialist explained that such drugs contain more progesterone, so the risk of recurrence of the pathology is reduced. I took the contraceptive for more than a year for the purpose of prevention. However, I do not recommend choosing your own medication. The doctor warned that otherwise the discharge would become even more abundant and the appearance of new lesions could be provoked.

Such a clinical picture should not be ignored. It is important to timely diagnose a pathology that may not be so harmless. Timely elimination of the provoking factor is the key to preserving a woman’s reproductive function. A preventive examination by a gynecologist will help prevent the progression of dangerous pathologies and eliminate discharge uncharacteristic of the phase of the cycle.

Leucorrhoea is a secretory discharge in women. Their appearance is due to the peculiarities of physiological processes in the reproductive system. They play an important role in the functioning of the genital organs and protecting them from infection. If a woman notices that on the eve of her next menstruation, the discharge has changed (it has become more abundant, acquired a tint and other unusual signs), then she wonders whether everything is in order with her health and whether this can be understood by the appearance of the white discharge that appeared before her period. It is important to know exactly when to go to the doctor, and when not to worry.

Content:

What are normal leucorrhoea?

The main component of the discharge is mucus, which is produced by glands located in the cervix. This viscous liquid is necessary to moisturize the vagina and protect its surface from damage during sexual intercourse. In addition, a plug is formed from mucus at the entrance to the cervical canal. It is a barrier that prevents infection from entering the uterine cavity.

The mucus plug has another important role: with its help, the body regulates the process of sperm penetration into the uterus. Before ovulation, the mucus thins, which creates conditions for fertilization of the egg. And after 4-5 days it becomes denser.

The process of mucus production and changes in its character during the cycle is regulated by the ratio of sex hormones - estrogen and progesterone. Normal discharge before menstruation (2-3 days before it starts) has the following symptoms:

1. Color – white (cloudy due to the admixture of dying particles of the uterine mucosa). The discharge may have a creamy or yellowish tint. This is not a deviation and depends on the characteristics of the body. Yellowish or even brownish spotting on the eve of menstruation is considered normal if an intrauterine device is used for contraception.
2. The smell is very weak, sourish or completely absent.
3. The consistency is thick mucous. The discharge is not too abundant, but not scanty either. If they are very weak, then the cause may be an infectious disease. Vaginal dryness also occurs as a result of using soap as an intimate hygiene product and frequent douching.
4. There should be no leucorrhoea immediately after menstruation.
5. The discharge does not cause discomfort or malaise.

Video: Vaginal discharge on the eve of menstruation

Can there be no white discharge on the eve of menstruation?

This is also possible. There may be no leucorrhoea before menstruation due to the deterioration of the secretory glands in the cervix during premenopause, when the production of female sex hormones gradually decreases.

Factors that provoke the absence of leucorrhoea are the use of contraceptives or therapeutic hormonal drugs with a high content of estrogen. Uncontrolled use of herbal medicines containing phytoestrogens can also contribute to such deviation from the norm.

Warning: 12-14 days before menstruation, mucus is normally abundant and watery. If at this time it has a dense consistency, this is a pathology indicating hormonal disorders. Under these conditions, conception cannot occur.

White discharge before menstruation differs individually for each woman. This depends on the innate characteristics of physiology, age, hormonal levels in the body at the moment, the presence of stressful situations, and lifestyle.

Character of leucorrhoea in teenage girls

Leucorrhoea appears in girls approximately 1.5 years before the onset of the first menstruation. Subsequently, until the hormonal background stabilizes and the cycle is established, the nature of the discharge may change. During this period, both liquid and viscous leucorrhoea are considered normal. Their volume, shade and consistency are determined by the genetic characteristics of the girl’s development and puberty.

A sign by which you can guess that your first period is about to begin is an increase in the intensity of the discharge compared to what it was before. Since menstruation occurs irregularly at first, special attention must be paid to the nature of discharge before menstruation, since pathologies are possible at any age.

Leucorrhoea with delayed menstruation

A delay, first of all, may be a sign of pregnancy. If before the expected menstruation the leucorrhoea becomes more abundant and thick, this indicates a hormonal shift occurring in connection with pregnancy. Due to an increase in progesterone levels, the activity of the glands that produce mucus increases. This protects the uterine cavity and the embryo from infection. The process of cell renewal of the vaginal mucosa also accelerates, due to which the density of the released transparent whitish mucus increases.

Another reason for the delay may be a hormonal imbalance in the body caused by severe stress or vitamin deficiency. Diets that exclude the consumption of fats and many substances necessary for the body also lead to delayed menstruation. At the same time, the woman continues to produce profuse leucorrhoea instead.

Video: Signs of pathological discharge before menstruation

Signs and causes of pathological leucorrhoea

Pathological discharge on the eve of menstruation differs from normal not only in volume and consistency, but also in the presence of a pungent odor, the appearance of various shades, and the presence of lumps or clots. Painful sensations occur.

Inflammatory diseases of the genital organs

Vaginitis– inflammation of the vaginal mucosa, accompanied by swelling, itching and burning in this area, as well as pain in the sacrum. Abundant liquid leucorrhoea has a yellow color. The leukocyte count is increased. Such discharge may appear approximately 1 week before your period.

Cervicitis. Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the cervix. White discharge before menstruation becomes very abundant and thin. Pus may form in them and an unpleasant odor may appear.

Endometritis– inflammatory process in the uterine cavity. Cloudy discharge has an unpleasant odor. A woman experiences symptoms such as pain when urinating, pain in the lower abdomen, and fever. Inflammation can spread to the tubes and ovaries. The chronic process leads to the appearance of leucorrhoea on the eve of menstruation with a greenish color and a heavy odor.

Diseases associated with disturbances of the vaginal microflora

Bacterial vaginosis. A characteristic sign of leucorrhoea in this disease is a strong fishy odor and a yellowish tint. On the eve of menstruation they become even more intense. A woman feels constant burning and itching in the vagina, pain during sexual intercourse. The disease occurs due to a disturbance in the composition of the microflora in the area of ​​the external genitalia.

Urogenital candidiasis. The disease appears due to the penetration of the Candida fungus into the genitals, destroying the mucous membranes. Inflammatory processes occur in the vagina and urinary organs. The symptoms of this disease are very characteristic. The discharge is copious, especially on the eve of menstruation. They look like a white cheesy mass. They smell like sour milk, as lactic acid is formed during the life of the fungus. A woman is worried about severe itching and irritation in the vagina. Uncontrolled treatment with antibiotics contributes to the proliferation of the fungus. They are able to kill beneficial lactobacilli, which create destructive conditions for pathogens.

Erosion of mucous membranes, neoplasms in the uterus

Cervical erosion. Damage to the mucous membrane of the cervix and the glands located in it leads to the fact that the leucorrhoea that intensifies before menstruation becomes colorless and contains clots of mucus. The wounds that form on the surface of the cervix bleed, so the menstruation appears brownish. Delays in menstruation often occur.

Endometriosis. There is an abnormal growth of the uterine mucosa. The structure of the endometrium is disrupted and blood vessels are damaged. Leucorrhoea containing bloody impurities may be a sign of this disease. The appearance of nagging pain in the lower abdomen is also characteristic.

Polyps in the uterine cavity. They are growths on its mucous surface. Before menstruation, the endometrium loosens and swells. Damage to the polyps occurs, and torsion of the legs is possible. This causes the leucorrhoea to become bloody. The appearance of polyps is not always possible to notice, since, apart from pathological discharge, there may be no other manifestations of the disease.

Malignant tumors of the uterus. They often develop secretly, and only by the presence of foul-smelling leucorrhoea before the onset of menstruation can one suspect their formation. The discharge takes on different shades and contains blood particles.

Warning: Gynecologists and oncologists always warn: if a woman notices the appearance of watery pink or brownish leucorrhoea with a foul odor, which intensifies a few days before her period, then there is a high probability that there is a tumor of the uterus. The sooner the examination is completed, the greater the chance that the disease will be managed.

Venereal diseases

Infections are transmitted sexually. Accordingly, such diseases (trichomoniasis, chlamydia and others) may appear in women who are sexually active. At the first sign of such diseases, it is necessary to consult a doctor and undergo a course of treatment simultaneously with your sexual partner. Leucorrhoea is usually cloudy, foamy, with a gray, yellow or green tint. They have a bad smell. They intensify before menstruation, but do not stop completely after them.

Endocrine disorders

The nature of discharge before menstruation changes in the presence of diseases of the thyroid, pancreas and other organs of the endocrine system. Thus, women with diabetes have thicker and more abundant whites than normal ones. The reason is not only a hormonal shift due to inadequate functioning of the pancreas, but also a violation of the acidity of the vaginal environment, weakening protection against bacteria. With diseases of the thyroid gland, ovarian dysfunction, leucorrhoea before menstruation is usually profuse and colorless.

Careful monitoring of the nature of premenstrual discharge and timely consultation with a doctor in case of deviations from the norm are measures to prevent the occurrence of serious problems with a woman’s reproductive health.

The concept of the menstrual cycle refers to the painstaking work of the body, which prepares for the conception of a child: the uterus is lined with a special layer of tissue, a comfortable place is prepared for the baby during pregnancy, and the egg matures. If conception does not take place, then the body gets rid of the achieved results in order to start all over again.

Before the start of a new cycle, a woman experiences unpleasant moments or signs before menstruation, called PMS. They are accompanied by lingering pain in the lower abdomen, increased irritability, and fatigue. However, pregnancy and menstruation, the symptoms of which are very similar, may have similar symptoms. It is important for every woman to learn to distinguish them from each other.

Menstruation or pregnancy

Once fertilization has occurred in a woman's body, the menstrual cycle stops until the baby is born.

However, in some cases, women continue to experience bleeding for several months. These discharges can hardly be called full menstruation. They are sparse, brownish or reddish in color. Essentially, the fertilized egg implants itself into the walls of the uterus, which can result in minor tears and bleeding. They may appear once, or they may occur periodically; the fruit will not reach a certain size. Such discharge cannot be called menstruation, and its appearance is a reason to visit a doctor.

Main signs before menstruation

Unpleasant sensations associated with the onset of menstruation can be very individual. However, the most common period symptoms are:

• pain in the lower back, abdomen, chest;
• depressive mood combined with sleep disturbances;
• headache.

If you compare the symptoms of menstruation with the first signs of pregnancy, you can come to the conclusion that they are very similar. In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman may be drowsy, irritable, and have sudden mood swings. To understand the manifestations of the body, you need to learn to listen to yourself and feel changes.

Watch yourself for a few months. If the symptoms before your period are headache and back pain, then it is likely that these symptoms will not bother you once you become pregnant. If, on the contrary, the signs of the onset of menstruation are unknown to you, then you can say with reasonable confidence that pregnancy has occurred if you suffer from migraines, excessive irritability, and mood swings.

Temperature changes may also indicate a change in condition. A woman's temperature rises by several degrees during ovulation. If it has returned to a constant level, then you should prepare for the onset of menstruation. If the temperature column freezes at an elevated level, then we can talk about the onset of pregnancy. However, in this method there is also an error due to individual characteristics. In order to confidently talk about normal or elevated temperature, it needs to be measured daily for several months in a row in order to have a picture of changes in body temperature over a certain period.

Pregnancy symptoms

In addition to delayed menstruation, pregnancy can manifest itself with a number of other symptoms:

• Constant fatigue can be caused by hormonal changes in the body, which are among the first signs of conception.
• The breast reaction may become aggravated. All touches to it become painful, and sometimes there is an increase in volume.
• Cramps, pain in the lower abdomen, which happens before menstruation, can be one of the signs of pregnancy before the delay.
• Small vaginal discharge, which is a sign of attachment of the egg to the uterus.
• Nausea may appear along with a delay in menstruation and go away fairly quickly or accompany the woman throughout pregnancy.
• The constant urge to urinate is associated with a gradual increase in blood in the body, as well as other fluids that ensure the vital functions of the mother and the unborn baby. The longer you are pregnant, the more often you will have to visit the toilet. However, this symptom should not be confused with a possible manifestation of inflammatory diseases, for example, cystitis.
• Glitches in the schedule. If previously menstruation appeared on a clearly designated day, but now even after PMS there are no periods, then fertilization may have occurred.
• Sensitivity to odors is an early sign of pregnancy and is caused by a sharp increase in estrogen levels in the blood.
• Increasing the temperature a few notches can tell you a lot, but you'll have to keep a temperature log to do that.
• Positive test response. Pharmacy tests can rarely detect pregnancy before your period is missed. If you notice other signs of pregnancy and the test shows a negative result, it is worth repeating the test in a few days.

What a woman should always pay attention to

Pain in the mammary glands, increase in volume and swelling may indicate both menstruation and pregnancy. The appearance of colostrum secreted from the nipples will tilt the diagnosis in favor of the latter. However, breast pain in a specific area, combined with discharge from the nipples, against the background of excluding pregnancy, is a reason for an urgent visit to a mammologist, since such symptoms may indicate oncology.

All of the above has one big amendment: each organism has its own individuality. If you cannot determine exactly what signs are bothering you, buy a pharmacy test. If your schedule is delayed and you suspect you are pregnant, you can contact a gynecologist who will examine you and prescribe the appropriate tests. However, in most cases, a woman intuitively determines the presence of pregnancy better than any tests or analyses.

On average, every 28 days, for forty years, cyclical processes occur in the body of representatives of the fair sex, the result of which, according to nature’s plan, should be pregnancy. If it does not take place, then the uterus rejects its “empty” inner layer and the body again lives in “waiting for a miracle.”

The period of time from the beginning of the previous and subsequent menstruation is called the menstrual cycle. Thus, the beginning of the cycle coincides with the beginning of bleeding. For each woman, the length of the cycle and the duration of monthly bleeding are an individual indicator determined by the physical condition and lifestyle. The normal duration of menstruation is 3-6 days, and the length of the cycle should vary in the range of 21-35 days. Typically, menstruation begins with light, dark bloody discharge, which increases in intensity throughout the day and acquires a bright color. At this stage of bleeding, inclusions of mucus and blood clots are characteristic. It usually lasts 1-3 days. Later, the discharge loses its intensity, becomes less abundant and darkens, its quantity disappears, and by the fourth to seventh day it stops altogether. Representatives of the fairer sex who use hormonal contraceptive pills or the IUD may experience brown discharge one or two days before the start of the cycle; this phenomenon can be considered normal.

Discharge not related to menstruation is called leucorrhoea. Their quantity, color, consistency can be different and depend on the phase of the menstrual cycle and hormonal changes in the woman’s body.

In the first period of the cycle (follicular phase), which usually lasts two weeks from the start of menstruation, including bleeding, a dominant follicle is formed under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone. And the increased production of estrogen promotes the formation of a new inner layer of the uterus. In addition, this hormone has such an effect on the surface mucus of the cervix, the likelihood of becoming pregnant during this period is minimal. During this period, a meager amount of mucous discharge may be released from the female genital tract, almost imperceptible to the patient.

The second period of the cycle (ovulation) lasts three to four days and is characterized by the release of a mature egg from the ovary (ovulation). Ladies develop abundant transparent mucous discharge. Also during this period, short-term slight discharge of brown, brown or pinkish color is possible. They may be caused by hemorrhage during the release of the egg from the follicle. Such discharge in the middle of the menstrual cycle indicates that the most favorable period for conception has arrived. But the combination of bright bloody discharge in this phase with severe pain in the lower abdomen, dizziness, even loss of consciousness, indicates that an ovarian rupture has occurred. And this condition requires emergency medical attention.

In the third period of the cycle (luteal phase), progesterone and estrogen are actively produced. They prepare the endometrium for implantation of the embryo in it. The duration of this phase is no more than 15-16 days.

Further, under the influence of estrogens, the vaginal flora changes, and the discharge resembles a cream-like mass of white color, possibly with a tinge of yellow. Closer to menstruation they become thick and plentiful. All this can be considered normal if the discharge is not accompanied by an unpleasant odor and discomfort in the vagina, such as burning and itching.

White discharge

• may be a symptom of vaginal candidiasis (thrush). In this case, the discharge looks like white lumps and has a specific sour smell;
• may indicate inflammatory diseases of the cervix. Especially if combined with pain during sexual intercourse;
• can be companions of diabetes mellitus, combined with constant itching and swelling of the perineum;
• may be the first manifestations of uterine cancer, when there are no other symptoms. At the first stage of the disease, the discharge becomes watery and transparent.

Yellow discharge

Different shades on the eve of menstruation indicate the imminent onset of bleeding, but they should not be combined with an unpleasant aroma and discomfort in the genital tract. Otherwise, they may indicate:

• inflammatory diseases of the appendages. Combined with pain, fever, general weakness;
• non-specific inflammation of the vulva and vagina;
• erosive changes in the cervix, when combined with pain during sexual intercourse;
• venereal diseases, combined with itching and the smell of rotting.

Pink discharge

Pinkish discharge from the genital tract can be caused by taking medications, the installation of an IUD (in the first months, such a reaction is possible), the beginning of pregnancy (slight pink discharge may appear at the stage of fixation of the fertilized egg in the uterine wall), and the early onset of menstruation. Also, the presence of pink discharge can be a manifestation of diseases such as:

• inflammation of the inner layer of the uterus (after interventions in the uterine cavity, accompanied by general symptoms);
• inflammatory processes in the cervical canal (discharge has a purulent appearance and smell);
• endometriosis (pink discharge is present both before and after menstruation);
• formation of the muscular layer of the uterus (combined with bleeding at different periods of the cycle);
• oncological changes in the uterus (over time, abundant mucous secretions turn into them after they combine with blood).

Bloody issues

They can be considered normal only if they precede menstruation and last no more than two to three days. This situation often occurs when using an IUD. Here they are scanty in nature and can continue for several days after menstruation.

If the spotting is very heavy (more than ten pads per day) and has a bright color, then you can think about bleeding, and such a woman needs medical attention. Heavy bleeding may be a symptom of:

• increased endometrial growth;
• polyps of the uterus and cervical canal;
• endometriosis;
• disorders in the endocrine system;
• threats of miscarriage of a short term pregnancy;
• severe stressful situation.

As can be seen from the above, discharge from the genital tract of a particular type can be called physiological only in a limited number of cases. In other cases, it is a symptom of gynecological pathology that requires the intervention of a specialist, especially if it has been observed for a long time and there is a tendency to worsen it.