Brown spotting instead of the period – causes, prognosis, prevention. What is spotting and how to treat it?

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Brown spotting instead of a period does not have to be a cause for panic, although it very often means pregnancy and may be a sign of the embryo implanting in the uterus. However, brown spotting instead of period can also be a symptom of a variety of ailments. Therefore, if it happens regularly and its course is intense, the woman should visit the gynecologist’s office. Brown spotting instead of a period may be a sign of a developing inflammatory process. It can also be a sign of a developing cancer. What does brown spotting mean instead of period? What are the reasons?

Brown spotting instead of the period – the causes

Brown spotting may be associated with a decrease in estrogen levels during the ovulation phase, which is around day 15 of the cycle. This is due to the improper course of the luteal phase, which affects the irregularities in the formation of the corpus luteum. The hormonal balance is disturbed because the concentration of progesterone is too low. This is called luteal insufficiency. This type of phenomenon makes implantation of the embryo impossible. However, this process can cause brown spotting to appear up to several days before your period is expected to appear.

Brown spotting is also seen in women entering the perimenopausal period. It is then associated with hormonal imbalances and a significant decrease in the level of progesterone in the blood. Brown spotting instead of a period may appear in women who have started taking oral hormone therapy. However, this is a natural reaction on the part of the body, because taking contraceptives is associated with a change in the production of hormones, which is regulated over time. Brown spotting instead of a period may also be associated with pregnancy – this suggests the moment of embryo implantation in the mucosa of the uterine wall, which may well be accompanied by slight vaginal bleeding. There may also be pain in the lower abdomen. Brown spotting may also appear in the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Brown spotting instead of a period may be a symptom of inflammation in the genital tract. It can also be a symptom of various diseases. Conditions that may be accompanied by brown spotting include developing uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts or polyps. It happens that the cause is hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease – then there is a hormonal imbalance and, among others, dysregulation of the menstrual cycle. Brown spotting instead of a period may also be due to a cancerous disease.

Brown spotting instead of the period – symptoms

Brown spotting may or may not appear regularly. It may last several days, and in the case of pregnancy – even up to 3 months from the moment of embryo implantation. Brown spotting instead of period can be sparse or quite profuse. It may also be accompanied by lower abdominal pain, dizziness, nausea and vomiting – then it suggests pregnancy. If your body is inflamed, you may develop fever and mood changes.

Are you seeing disturbing symptoms? Analyze them yourself in the medical questionnaire and decide whether to go to the doctor.

Brown spotting instead of the period – treatment

If a woman notices the appearance of brown spotting instead of a period, this symptom should be consulted with a gynecologist to rule out or confirm pregnancy. However, if this symptom is not related to pregnancy, appropriate diagnostic tests should be performed: blood count and hormone levels. This is especially important when brown spotting continues or appears repeatedly. You will also need to have an abdominal ultrasound scan to find the cause of the brown spotting rather than your period.

However, if the appearance of brown spotting instead of a period is a symptom associated with the lesions of the uterus, then treatment should be made to remove the lesion, such as a myoma or a polyp. However, they must be of an appropriate size, as too small changes require only observation. Brown spotting instead of a period can also be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, which makes it necessary to remove the embryo that has lodged in the wrong place, usually the fallopian tube. However, if brown spotting is a sign of cancer, you will need appropriate specialist treatment, which may require chemotherapy.

Not sure where to go with your problem? Take advantage of telemedicine. Make an online teleconsultation with a gynecologist who will dispel all your doubts. The doctor will also show you what to do next and give you appropriate treatment.

Brown spotting instead of the period – prognosis

The prognosis may vary as the causes of brown spotting are different rather than period. If a woman has a cancer in the genital tract, the prognosis may not be good, but if the cancer is detected early, it can be fully curable. In fact, brown spotting instead of period covers a number of different causes, and it is difficult to know exactly what the prognosis of this symptom may be.

Brown spotting instead of the period – prophylaxis

As for the preventive measures to protect the woman from brown spotting instead of the period, for example, regular gynecological check-ups and smear tests. This allows you to detect inflammation and ailments related to the genital tract in time.