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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask if anyone else has brown discharge before period and why is this? (sorry for tmi)

53 replies

milkyman · 09/06/2015 15:01

I'm def not pregnant, have pms symptons but brown discharge but no period? I do have pcos and am 39 but this has not happened before.

OP posts:
ChazzerChaser · 09/06/2015 17:10

I've had this for years and still got pregnant. Worth getting checked if it's new to you though

vodkanchocolate · 09/06/2015 17:13

I get this for the first day of period and usually the last day or 2 of period always been told normal

Wagglebee · 09/06/2015 17:16

'I am fertile' Christ can I just clarify that rather blunt sentence I wrote.

I've seen infertilty consultants whilst having treatment for my DH's infertility, hence the hormone tests, and that's how they put it to me when I asked similar questions to the ones you're asking.

I realise how worrying everything is when you're ttc or hoping to in the future. Flowers

FreckledLeopard · 09/06/2015 17:17

I've had this over the past couple of years - never had it before. I'm 33. I get some brown discharge a day or two before my period starts. I have no idea what's changed - maybe I should see GP and get blood test.

BertieBotts · 09/06/2015 17:17

I have this intermittently and I'm 26. I don't think it's necessarily menopause related at all.

iwantgin · 09/06/2015 17:19

Yes, always have this up to a week prior to my period starting (which is very regular).

Some days it's fresh blood - just a tiny spot, other times a bit browny.

It's annoying, as it means that I need to use liners sometimes, just in case it's heavier than a spot or two.

Hygellig · 09/06/2015 17:30

When I first started my period aged 15 I had brown blood for a while before it started properly. Nowadays I don't get it.

DayLillie · 09/06/2015 17:35

I read years ago that it was low progesterone but not why.

Perhaps it is the progesterone levels falling at the end of the cycle, although not far enough for a period to start fully.

It is probably more likely to happen in perimenopause, as progesterone levels can be much lower, in some cycles.

dinodiva · 09/06/2015 17:40

I (used to) get this (I'm 26 weeks pregnant). Had it checked out just before I got my BFP. I have fibroids and polycystic ovaries - not the syndrome though - so one or the other of those is presumably to blame.

whois · 09/06/2015 17:43

Same, I normally get it just before and for two or more days after my 'real' period. Its a bit annoying afterwards, not heavy enough for anything other than a panty liner but its like 'just stooooop' already.

whois · 09/06/2015 17:44

My mum also used to say it was 'old' blood

vitaminC · 09/06/2015 17:56

Daylillie it's because of an oestrogen/progesterone imbalance - either because of low progesterone (common in women over 37, or in premature menopause) or high oestrogen levels (in PCOS, for example).

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 09/06/2015 18:00

Vitamin - I doubt that's the only reason, I've had it since I've had periods.

HenriettaBarnet · 09/06/2015 18:03

I started getting this in my late 30s. I assumed it was peri menopause related (I'm mid 40s now and I still get it). I had a baby at 38 and 41 - although it was difficult to get pregnant at 41. but I was still fertile.

My cycle got shorter as well and I took progesterone to help have a successful pregnancy.

vitaminC · 09/06/2015 18:06

Dame There can be other reasons for the imbalance (high body fat levels, endocrine tumours...) but physiologically that's why!

Silvercatowner · 09/06/2015 18:13

I was told it was symptomatic of endometriosis.

alltoomuchrightnow · 09/06/2015 18:44

for years i had it often instead of period... this was in teens and 20s usually. Mentioned it to doctor once and they weren't interested. I'm now 44 and never been able to conceive. Probably have endometriosis.. being investigated now. Always tested neg for PCOS. I do have under active thyroid.

alltoomuchrightnow · 09/06/2015 18:45

can't be menopause related as my first few periods were just this brown discharge and i know a couple of friends had same. but mine carried on like this on and off for years... well into my late 20s. I occasionally get it instead of a period or as well as but nothing like i used to when younger

Original poster
milkyman · 09/06/2015 19:34

How about if you get brown discharge and then a normal period? is this still showing as peri menopausal?

OP posts:
Cadenza1818 · 09/06/2015 19:57

Another pcos sufferer here and same thing. Always assumed it was cos there was such a gap between periods.

Yika · 09/06/2015 20:07

When I first got my periods they were like this for years. They became normal when I went on the pill aged 18. I'm now menopausal but never had this during peri menopause (during which time by the way I had a child so fertility still ok in early 40s).

ISpyPlumPie · 09/06/2015 20:21

I've always has this to, in fact that's all my first couple of periods were. For years, I've had it for a couple of days at the beginning and the end. I'm 34 and conceived two DC without any problems. As far as I'm aware I don't have any gyne issues. As others have said though, if it's not usual for you it's worth gr

ISpyPlumPie · 09/06/2015 20:22

Sorry posted too soon. Last sentence should say if it's not usual for you, it's wortv getting checked out.

DaveMinion · 09/06/2015 20:36

I have pcos too and get brown spotting before a period. Just started metformin as ttc so wondering if that will change.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 09/06/2015 23:18

Milky. So many if us are saying we have had this for several years - and can not have been peri menopausal for all that time Smile.

Everyone's different I know, but I have PCOS (diagnosed at 18) & have had the brown discharge for as long as I can remember. Before this thread I was totally unaware the two were related but I have three DCs & have been pregnant 5 times in total.