Brown discharge from the vagina

Brown discharge from the lower body is a problem that many women have experienced. There are many reasons for this, such as ovulation bleeding, functional uterine bleeding, vaginitis, pelvic inflammatory disease and other inflammations. If it is bleeding during ovulation, this is normal and does not require further treatment. If it is one of the latter diseases, you need to go to the hospital for specialized treatment. This article also introduces several other causes of secretions, come and take a look.

Generally speaking, pathological leucorrhea is mostly inflammatory leucorrhea, leucorrhea caused by tumors and leucorrhea caused by foreign bodies. The following pathological leucorrhea are common symptoms:

●Colorless, transparent, sticky leucorrhea: It is egg white-like and similar in properties to the mucus secreted by the cervical glands during ovulation, but the amount of secretion is significantly increased compared to usual. Generally, the possibility of chronic endocervicitis, ovarian dysfunction, vaginal adenosis, or well-differentiated cervical adenocarcinoma should be considered.

●White or grayish yellow foamy leucorrhea: It is a characteristic of Trichomonas vaginitis and may be accompanied by vulvar itching.

●Curly vaginal discharge: a characteristic of candidal vaginitis, often accompanied by severe vulvar itching or burning pain.

●Gray homogeneous leucorrhea with fishy smell: thin, small to large amount, unpleasant smell, commonly seen in bacterial vaginosis.

●Purinary leucorrhea: yellow or yellow-green, sticky, and often has a foul odor. It can be caused by acute vaginitis, cervicitis, and endocervicitis caused by bacteria such as Trichomonas or gonococci. Pyometra, cervical cancer, vaginal cancer or foreign objects retained in the vagina can also cause pus-like leucorrhea.

●Bloody leucorrhea: If there is blood mixed in the leucorrhea, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, cervical polyps or submucosal fibroids should be considered. Insertion of an intrauterine device can also cause bloody leucorrhea.

●Watery leucorrhea: If watery leucorrhea like rice washing water continues to flow out and is accompanied by a foul odor, it is usually due to advanced cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, or submucosal fibroids with infection. If you have intermittent discharge of yellow or red watery vaginal discharge, you should be aware of the possibility of fallopian tube cancer.

●Cheese-like leucorrhea: The leucorrhea is thick, slightly sweet, and causes some itching in the genitals. You should be aware of the possibility of Candida infection.

●Yellow-green leucorrhea: The leucorrhea is thin and foamy, has a foul smell, and is often accompanied by vaginal itching. Vaginal Trichomonas infection can cause yellow-green leucorrhea.

●Brown leucorrhea: The leucorrhea is watery and has a musty odor. It is suspected to be caused by vaginitis, endometritis or an intrauterine contraceptive device.

●Leucorrhea with blood - common in genital tumors, inflammation and intrauterine contraceptive device placement, etc.

●Tofu-like or curd-like leucorrhea - accompanied by severe itching of the vulva, which is often caused by vaginal yeast infection.

●Excessive vaginal discharge - often wets underwear, which may be caused by submucous uterine fibroids or fallopian tube cancer.

1. Vulva

Purpose of examination: Check whether the skin of the vulva is smooth, whether the color is normal, and whether there are ulcers, dermatitis, growths, and hypopigmentation. Normal vulva: pubic hair points downward in a triangular distribution, labia majora are pigmented, labia minora are slightly red, clitoris length is <2.5cm, and the mucosa around the urethral opening is light pink. A speculum is then used to further examine the vagina and cervix.

2. Vagina

Purpose of examination: To check whether the surface of the vaginal mucosa is smooth, whether the texture is normal, whether there are bleeding spots, and whether the properties and odor of vaginal discharge are normal. Normal vagina: The vaginal wall mucosa is light pink in color, with wrinkles, no ulcers, growths, cysts, or congenital malformations. The secretions are egg white-like or white paste-like, without fishy odor and in small amounts, but increase during ovulation and pregnancy. If your vaginal discharge is to be examined, your doctor will take a sample at this time.

3. Cervix

Purpose of examination: To observe whether there are any tumors, ulcers, erosions, or polyps on the cervix, whether the cervix is ​​normal in size, whether the surface is smooth, whether the texture is too hard, and whether there is uterine prolapse. Normal cervix: bulges around the periphery and a hole in the middle. The shape of the navel for non-pregnant women is round, while that for pregnant women is "I"-shaped, tough, flesh-red, and has a smooth surface. If you want to do a cervical cancer smear test, your doctor will take a specimen at this time.

4. Uterus and appendages

Purpose of examination: To understand the location of the uterine fundus, whether it is active, and its texture. If the uterus is enlarged, too hard, or has an uneven surface, these are abnormal phenomena and further examination is required. Normal uterus: inverted pear-shaped, 5 to 6 cm long, 4 to 5 cm wide, and 3 to 4 cm thick. Most are in an anteriorly tilted and anteflexed position, with a medium hard texture and good mobility. The ovaries and fallopian tubes are collectively called "appendages". They are movable and feel slightly sore and swollen when touched. Normal fallopian tubes cannot be palpated.

The doctor takes out the speculum, puts on a pair of very thin rubber gloves, applies Vaseline, and slowly inserts one or two fingers into the vagina. The other hand is placed on the lower abdomen and presses down hard. This is an examination of the uterus and appendages. You will feel pain when your fingers touch the bottom of the uterus, but it will not last long, about 1 minute.

5. Leucorrhea examination

The vaginal secretion is smeared and observed under a microscope. The vaginal cleanliness is determined by the number of vaginal bacilli, white blood cells (WBC) and miscellaneous bacteria. There are 4 levels:

Grade I: There are a large number of vaginal bacilli and epithelial cells, no miscellaneous bacteria or white blood cells, the field of vision is clear, and the secretions are normal.

Grade II: There are moderate amounts of vaginal bacilli and epithelial cells, a small amount of white blood cells and miscellaneous bacteria, and it is still normal vaginal secretions.

Grade III: A small amount of vaginal bacilli and squamous epithelium, but a relatively large number of miscellaneous bacteria and white blood cells, indicating milder vaginal inflammation.

Grade IV: There are no vaginal bacilli, only a few epithelial cells, a large number of white blood cells and miscellaneous bacteria. It indicates relatively severe vaginal inflammation, such as candidal vaginitis and Trichomonas vaginitis.