What does reddish or brownish discharge before, during or after ovulation mean? This post will give you more insight about this phenomenon. The causes are also discussed in the article for further understanding. Find pictures in the post that meant to give you a visual aid on this subject.
For those who are trying to get pregnant, they need to learn a little more about the fertility process. For example, it will be important to learn about the ovulation period, as it will make it easier for you to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Fortunately, it is possible for you to choose from the numerous methods available, so as to get a clue on when ovulation takes place—you can learn why to take tests, as well as the kind of signs that you need to be on the lookout for.
Ovulation spotting is among the numerous signs that you will want to be on the lookout for, as it will provide you with a better clue on how to time your sexual intercourse. In this article, we are going to investigate ovulation, as well as look into what causes reddish brown discharge during ovulation, before, and after it has come to an end.
Simple facts on ovulation
Ovulation is the process through which a matured egg gets released from your ovaries in readiness for fertilization. Once released, this egg then proceeds to travel through the fallopian tube. From here, the egg will be ready for fertilization. Even though you will find that there will be numerous immature eggs in your ovaries, a single mature egg is released each month.
When does ovulation happen
For many women, ovulation occurs during the middle of their monthly cycle. However, you will find that for some women, ovulation occurs earlier or at a later date. Traditionally, it is also considered normal for women to ovulate between the eleventh and twenty-first day of their monthly cycle.
You will find that the ovulation symptoms are quite similar among many women, but, the actual date for her menses to start may not be similar among them. Actually, you will find that there are ladies who ovulate each month, but do not end up getting their menses at the end of the month.
Signs and symptoms of ovulation
What are the signs and symptoms of ovulation? Below here are the signs and symptoms:
1. A sensation in the abdomen
For certain women, it is normal for them to experience pain in the area bordering the middle parts of their abdomens when they are ovulating. You will find that this painful area is mainly close to their ovaries. The discomfort that is experienced during this period could start when they are in the middle of their cycles, which in almost all cases occurs when ovulating. Additionally, it is important to note that this discomfort is likely to vary in terms of the intensity that will be experienced by the affected person.
2. Decline in basal temperature
Another way to know whether you have started your ovulation is by referring to your basal chart temperature. When ovulating, you will find that the basal temperature will be higher than during normal days. According to HealthLine, the basal temperature is considered to be the lowest temperature (body) that has been recorded within a period of twenty-four hours. Additionally, you will find that the best time for you to record this temperature will be when you wake up in the morning, and before you engage in any activity.
You will need a basal thermometer. When you are ovulating, you will find that your temperature can rise between 0.4 to 1.0 degrees. The temperature you record will last until the next time when your menstrual cycle is about to start—in case you become pregnant, it will remain elevated for the entire duration of your pregnancy.
Although using the basal temperature is a great way for you to know when ovulation is about to start, you will be required to take your temperatures each morning. You need to time when you are taking the temperatures to make sure that you take the temperature readings at around the same time each morning after you have woken up. You also need a chart to record the readings that you have identified.
3. Cervical discharge
A change in your cervical discharge is by far the most recognized symptom when it comes to determining when ovulation is about to start. In most cases, you will find that your discharge will change from being watery, and will become stretchy and slippery in nature. There are women who have described it as being similar to a raw, white, egg.
However, there are certain medications, travel, illnesses, fertility issues, stress, or diet changes, which could cause a woman not to experience any discharge when she is ovulating. As such, it may not be the best way to determine whether you are about to ovulate or not.
4. Cervical position and feel
When you are approaching your ovulation date, you will find that your cervix will start to move into a much higher position, and that your cervix could become soft as well. You can easily track the changes occurring in your cervix by using your hands to touch the area. But, you will find that for most women to know when they will ovulate, they combine this method with the use of a basal thermometer. Combining the two methods will provide you with a more accurate way to determine when you will ovulate.
For you to feel your cervix, you will need to insert your middle finger inside your vagina. You also have to make sure that you insert the finger up-to or more than your middle knuckle. From this position, you will be able to feel your cervix, as it is located at the neck of your womb. Ensuring that you familiarize yourself with the feeling of your cervix makes it easier for you to notice any changes that may arise in its eel and position.
Brown discharge before ovulation
A brown discharge before ovulation is quite normal, more so when you are dealing with a hormonal imbalance. When you notice or experience a discharge before you start your ovulation, there are a few things that could be causing this to occur: they include—
1. Old tissue
There are women who experience ovulation discharge before and after their periods. The reason why this happens is because they still have some left over tissue present in their bodies. If the old tissue is the reason why there is spotting or a discharge, you will find that this discharge will normally be dark or light brown in color.
2. Hormonal imbalances
Women with hormonal imbalances have been known to note spotting when they are in the middle of their monthly cycles. Certain women will also experience spotting, but at the end of it they will not be able to get their periods. According to WebMD, you should make plans to see your doctor as soon as possible, if you suspect that the hormonal imbalance is the reason why you are bleeding before ovulation.
3. Sexual intercourse
Engaging in a rough sexual intercourse session could lead to light bleeding or spotting before and after you have completed your ovulation.
Light brown discharge during ovulation
The light brown discharge that occurs during ovulation has been known to make some women feel worried, as it does not appear to be normal, more so when a woman experiences this problem for the very first time. You will find that women who have recently been sexually active may mistake the light brown discharge to be a symptom of a sexually transmitted infection.
However, you should understand that this symptom is generally considered to be normal. Both variants are possible, and it is therefore important to learn how to distinguish between the normal and abnormal brown vaginal discharge that occurs when a woman is ovulating.
1. Normal processes
When you are ovulating, the follicles that normally protect your eggs will be undergoing a process that involves their growth and maturity. Once they are grown and mature, they will eventually rapture, and this will be bound to cause a small amount of bleeding. As this blood starts to become old, it will mix with your cervical mucus, and will in the process turn from red to brown in color.
This brown and older blood is what will appear in the form of a brown discharge on your underpants as you are ovulating. You should take note of the fact that this process is under the control of your hormones. When you are done menstruating, the estrogen levels will be increased, and it will cause the LH hormones to begin surging as well.
Once this starts to happen, it will make the woman’s egg to be released from her follicles found in her reproductive health system. In addition to this brown discharge, there is a possibility that you could notice a sharp pain on either side of your abdomens, accompanied by your breasts becoming tender.
2. Pathological processes
Even though it is completely normal for the woman to notice a brown discharge when she is ovulating, there is the possibility that this discharge could have been caused by an underlying medical condition. For instance, noticing a change in the color of your discharge can be very alarming, as it may be a sign that you have an infection.
Some of the symptoms that you should be worried about, especially when they accompany the discharge include:
- Pain in the genital region
- Frequent urination
- Burning when urinating
If any of these symptoms have accompanied the brown discharge, then it will be important to make sure that your physician gets to check you out. In some of the rare cases, you may find the brown discharge being a symptom of a condition such as hysteromyoma, cervical cancer, or endometriosis.
Brown Discharge 2-9 Days after Ovulation
When you notice a brown discharge after you have finished ovulating, it means that there are a few things that could be taking place. Some of them include:
- The process involved when ovulating has been to at times cause mid-cycle bleeding. Once your egg has been released, you may find yourself having to deal with slight bleeding. The bleeding can then cause the occurrence of light spotting, pink or brown discharge.
- You could be pregnant. In case the egg has been fertilized successfully, the egg will proceed to implant itself along your uterine wall. As it does this, it may end up causing bleeding, which will then manifest in the form of light spotting.
Ovulation bleeding will normally last for between one and three days, though there are cases where it could last for as much as nine days. However, the bleeding ought to be very light. As such, if you notice that it lasts for more than a few days, and that it does not change from heavy to light spotting, you should ensure that you contact your physician.
PCOS spotting
Spotting for more than a few days or skipping your periods altogether is something that is too common for many women who have PCOS. The condition, which is caused by hormonal imbalance in the woman’ body makes it difficult for her to ovulate as she normally would do. When a woman is experiencing irregular ovulation, it could lead to irregular or inconsistent bleeding e.g. spotting.
Polyps, cysts, and fibroids have also been known to cause a woman to bleed or spot when she is in the middle of her monthly cycle. It is recommended that you see your doctor immediately you suspect that you may have any of the conditions listed.
Even though mid-cycle bleeding is not uncommon, it is something that should cause you some concern. It can be brought about by implantation or ovulation, and it could also be an indication that you have an underlying medical issue. In the case of implantation or ovulation bleeding, the two should not go on for more than a few days.
Spotting when using birth control
For most women using birth control, they consider mid cycle spotting to be quite common for them. For instance, the pill itself has been known to bring about spotting during various stages in the monthly cycle—more so during the first few weeks of using this form of birth control.
Spotting comes about due to the hormones that are present in the pill. However, your hormone levels should go back to their normal state within a few days of using the pill. Additionally, you should realize that IUD devices can also bring about spotting, which could then lead to heavy bleeding when you have your periods.
Causes of brown discharge after ovulation
What causes brown discharge after ovulation?
Some of the common causes include:
1. Indication of pregnancy
Noticing a brown discharge after you have finished your ovulation may be an indication that you are indeed pregnant—more so if you engaged in unprotected sex during the days when you happened to be fertile. Doctors refer to this as implantation spotting, and it may be accompanied by cramping. It will normally come about when an egg that has already been fertilized attempts to implant itself to the uterine walls.
During this process, the embryo will be attempting to burrow its way into your uterine lining. The burrowing process will then cause light bleeding or spotting. Often, the discharge arising from this will be light brownish or light pinkish, and it should not cause you any alarm. Implantation spotting will normally occur about seven days before your periods are due, and for those attempting to get pregnant, this should be an exciting duration for them.
2. Problems with your cervical opening
Your cervix is the narrow opening that is found between your vagina and the uterus. Different problems can occur in this area, including but not limited to the Human Papillomavirus. The disease is sexually transmitted and is considered to be the leading cause for cervical cancer.
3. Endometriosis
It is yet another cause for brown vaginal discharge. In this condition, you will find the tissues lining the uterus will begin to grow in your uterus. Common symptoms are:
- Cramps
- Lower abdominal pain
- Pain after sex
- Pain during the menstrual cycle
- Vaginal bleeding
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is considered to be the primary symptom for this condition. Therefore, if you notice this type of bleeding, you should make sure that your doctor gets to check out.
4. Hormonal imbalance
The existence of a hormonal imbalance between progesterone and estrogen is another cause for bleeding between periods. Different factors can affect the balance of hormones in your body. They include:
- Birth control pills
- Thyroid gland problems
- Hormonal contraceptives
5. Fibroids or ovarian cysts
After ovulation, another factor that can cause bleeding would be fibroids or ovarian cysts. These are fluid-filled sacs, which normally start to develop inside the woman’s ovary. Ovarian cyst comes about when the follicles are unable to break, which then makes it impossible for an egg to be released. As such, you will find that the fluids, which are inside the follicles will now start to form a cyst.
Ovarian cysts also come with symptoms such as:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Pain in your ovaries
With ovulation, there are very many signs that you can be on the lookout for. It is important for a woman to make sure that she is well-versed with the most common symptoms so that she can know when her ovulation is approaching. This would make it possible for her to plan for pregnancy. Apart from proper planning, there are signs that will let you know when ovulation has passed. The methods that you can use are quite a lot, and to ensure that you do not go crazy, it is recommended that you choose a few that you are comfortable with from those that have been discussed above, and then practice them as you plan for your next pregnancy.
References;
- http://1stovulation.com/symptoms-of-ovulation-are-you-normal/#more-141
- https://www.checkpregnancy.com/spotting-after-or-before-ovulation/
- http://alldischarge.com/brown-discharge-during-ovulation-6-significant-implications/
- https://conceivesuccess.com/spotting-after-ovulation-reasons-it-happens/