Am I overreacting re brown period or should I contact the GP?

[strangeperiodquestion22]

Period was a couple of days late which isn't completely abnormal for me and I don't suspect pregnancy but I did a test anyway that was negative.

Usually I get heavy red bleeding from the off which lasts for around 5 days. However this time the blood started off very light and was brown, this has not changed (now on day 5). All I have had is brown (looks black on the pad) bleeding, no pink or red. There are no clots or anything either which I usually get and it's very light.

It's basically VERY different to my usual period. I know brown blood is old blood but I can't find anything online about what to do if your whole period is brown not just the beginning and end.

I'm freaking out a little as one of my best friends died from cancer a few years ago at a young age and the thought of leaving something for months which could be a "symptom" of something scares me.

Am I overreacting or would you see someone about this? I don't have pain, in fact it hurts less that my usual period does. All I've had is a slight stabbing pain a couple of times last night on my right hand side lower back but that started and stopped within 5 mins.

How old are you?

See your GP. It will put your mind at rest if it's nothing to worry about, and get you treatment if it is a problem.

brown bleeding can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy, if that’s a possibility then please get a Referral to EPU. Edited to add you don’t always get a positive with an ectopic

Sorry should have said, I am 30.

I hadn't even considered ectopic pregnancy! Wouldn't you have pain with one though?

I think I'll book in just to be on the safe side!

Yeah. Brown or prune juice type bleeding could indicate an ectopic. But nearly all ectopics would present as positive with a pregnancy test.but they can test as negative! Not often but they can. But there’s no problem I think getting it checked out. I imagine it will be fine. But any dr would rather you check it than spend lots of time worrying about it.

I've had this for 3 years as well as a pain in my right side. I've had two ultrasounds and a colonoscopy and nothing has come of it as well as loads of bloods tests so I've given up now.
I'd definitely see your GP if its the same for your next period though.

Definitely see the gp.
But my period is never at the same time each month and always different flows.
Pink pink red brown.
Or.
Pink red red flood brown.
Or red red pink brown.
Or brown pink red brown.
Ive give up with doctors it been like this since tuning 30s im almost 40 now still the same.
From 12 till early 30s i had awful heavy periods at 34 i notice it changed not so heavy not so long.
From 6 day bleed to 4 days.
I think its peri for me.

I've had this a few times over the years, and nothing ever came of it. I'm basically fine and have had normal periods ever since (years later). Early 30s. I never saw the doctor or anything, just shrugged it off, and it worked out okay, but you should probably see the doctor if it's worrying you.