Menstruation Forum - Brown discharge prior to menstruation

Womens Health > Menstruation Forum > Brown discharge prior to menstruation

Menstruation is a woman's normal monthly menstrual period. But what are the signs of abnormal periods? When is vaginal bleeding serious?...

Q: Brown discharge prior to menstruation

asked by: DoctorQuestion on May 1st, 2009

Is the brown discharge a few days before the menstrual cycle considered part of the monthly period? To calculate the due date for the baby do I consider the first day of the last period the first of the brown day or when I actually start bleeding??

Replies(2)

Dr. Goce Aleksovski , MD

replied on May 4th, 2009

Menstruation Answer A6491

The brown discharge a few days before the menstrual period is considered normal. Generally, it is due to the sudden drop in certain female sex hormones. The drop is expected in order to prepare the body for the start of the period. Occasionally, however, the drop may be so sudden and severe that the inner lining of the uterus may start to detach a little.

However, this is not considered as the start of the menstrual period. The menstrual cycle should be measured from the first day of the regular menstrual period.

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Comments (1)

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