Black Discharge after Your Period: Causes, Treatment & Help

Sometimes you may experience black discharge after your period. This is genital bleeding.

Black discharge after your period

Discharge (fluor genitalis) from the female vagina is considered a normal cleansing process of the organism. Discharge (fluor genitalis) from the female vagina is considered a normal cleansing process of the organism. The vaginal secretion carries blood, harmful germs, sperm and dead cells out of the body. However, there are forms of discharge that are considered worrisome. These include black discharge, which is dark in color. It can occur both before and after the period. It also sometimes appears following a curettage or during pregnancy. In most women, the black discharge is harmless. However, sometimes it can hide serious diseases. This includes, for example, dangerous cervical cancer. Although the discharged secretion is called black discharge, it is a brownish secretion that represents genital bleeding. The black discharge is weaker than the usual vaginal discharge. If treatment is given, it is without complications in most cases.

Causes

A black discharge after the period is due to various causes. In most women, it is the sign of premenstrual or postmenstrual bleeding. Both forms are considered harmless. The reason for the dark discharge is usually a weakness of the corpus luteum. This results in insufficient production of the hormone progesterone, which belongs to the group of sex hormones. This in turn results in a shortening of the monthly cycle. Other possible reasons for the development of black discharge are the slowed regeneration of the uterine mucosa and an insufficient concentration of the hormone estrogen. In some cases, hormonal treatments in women who use hormonal contraceptives are also the cause of black discharge. In them, the secretion appears repeatedly. The birth of a child and the subsequent breastfeeding period can also be the reason for the appearance of the brownish discharge. Thus, the hormonal balance gets out of balance during this time. As a result, spotting occurs in addition to the discharge. If the black discharge does not exist exclusively after the period, this is considered an indication of insufficient scraping (abrasio uteri) of the uterine lining. Furthermore, inflammation of the uterus, polyps or fibroids can be responsible for the discharge. In rare cases, it also masks a certain form of miscarriage. Occasionally, the black discharge after the period is triggered by diseases. These primarily include vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina), chlamydia, an ovarian cyst, a uterine fibroid or a fungal infection. Uterine cancer and cervical cancer are considered to be of particular concern, as these diseases are life-threatening.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Vaginitis
  • Uterine tumor
  • Ovarian cyst
  • Chlamydia
  • Spotting
  • Menorrhagia
  • Tumor
  • Vaginal fungus
  • Uteritis
  • Cervical cancer
  • Miscarriage
  • Hormone fluctuations

Diagnosis and course

The diagnosis of black discharge can also be made by the affected women themselves. However, to determine the exact cause, a visit to a gynecologist is necessary. In this way, serious diseases can be ruled out and treatment can be given if necessary. The first step in the examination is to compile the patient’s medical history. In doing so, the gynecologist determines how long the black discharge has existed and how often it occurs. Furthermore, the gynecologist researches other complaints or unfavorable factors such as an unhealthy diet or stress. Pre-existing conditions also play an important role. Following the anamnesis, a physical examination of the patient takes place. Blood may also be taken to obtain indications of luteal insufficiency. If uterine disease is suspected, a sonography (ultrasound examination) is usually performed. If the black discharge after the period is not caused by a serious disease, it takes a harmless course.Thus, the complaints go away by themselves after a few days. In some cases, however, there may be an inflammation that requires treatment. Their treatment is important to counteract further discomfort.

Complications

Complications of black discharge after menstruation depend on its trigger. Usually, a dark discharge after menstruation indicates a hormonal imbalance that a gynecologist can easily clarify. In most affected individuals, black discharge is harmless and poses no danger. Occasionally, however, a worrisome disease may be behind it. A serious cause of black discharge, for example, is aggressive cervical cancer. The affected women can determine the clinical picture themselves by observing their discharge: Said discharge is a dark brownish secretion that makes up a faint genital bleeding. This variant of discharge is much weaker than normal vaginal discharge. However, if presented to a gynecologist and treated promptly, it usually progresses without major complications. The usual causes of black discharge are vaginitis, an ovarian cyst, sexually transmitted chlamydia, luteal insufficiency, premenstrual syndrome, uterine fibroid, contagious fungal infection or hormonal fluctuations. All of the above medical conditions require urgent medical treatment and should not be self-medicated under any circumstances.

When should you go to the doctor?

In any case, a doctor should examine the discharge if it lasts longer than a week after the period or increases in strength. A gushing discharge in larger quantities from the vagina must also be clarified by the gynecologist, especially if abdominal pain occurs at the same time. With severe pain, it is urgently advised to visit a hospital or to inform the local emergency service if no doctor is available in a short time. In this case, do not postpone the examination until the next day. If the discharge smells unpleasant and severe or if the color changes to brownish or reddish, then the cause must be sought via ultrasound and laboratory sample. Most of the time, the discharge is harmless and no cause for concern, but delaying a thorough examination for too long can lead to serious illnesses. For abdominal problems like discharge, only a gynecologist is the right doctor. Any other doctor will not examine or diagnose, but will refer directly to a specialist.

Treatment and therapy

The type of therapy for black discharge depends on the triggering cause. Thus, in the case of discharge that depends on the menstrual cycle, medical treatment is not always necessary. On the other hand, therapy is absolutely necessary for constant black discharge. The same applies to discharge during pregnancy, because it can pose a risk of miscarriage. Most patients receive estrogens or progestins as part of the treatment. By taking the hormones, the menstrual cycle can be stabilized again. Even taking the birth control pill is suitable as a treatment method. Another treatment option is abrasion, which involves the removal of the remaining uterine lining. After the abrasio uteri, hormone therapy takes place. If the black discharge is a consequence of the scraping, it is repeated. If the patient suffers from cancer, she must undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In this case, the treatment of the underlying disease is much more important than the therapy of the brownish discharge. Sitting baths, full baths with chamomile or tea tree oil, and regular mud baths are considered supportive means of discharge therapy.

Outlook and prognosis

In most cases, black discharge after the period is only a harmless symptom that can be treated relatively well. There are usually no other symptoms or complications during and after treatment. However, black discharge can have various underlying conditions, all of which are associated with different symptoms. If the patient suffers from relatively large amounts of the black discharge in the process, a doctor can be consulted. The same is true if the patient experiences pain during urination or sexual activity. Likewise, the affected person may suffer from intermittent bleeding, which can be aggravated by stress.In most cases, the black discharge disappears on its own, without further complications. If there is a pregnancy, treatment is performed by the doctor to minimize the risk of miscarriage.

Prevention

Preventing black discharge after your period is not always possible. It is considered helpful to have discussions with the gynecologist about methods of contraception. For example, it is not uncommon for hormonal contraceptive measures to cause changes in blood coloration. However, these often lead to uncertainty among the women concerned. In addition, health experts recommend a healthy lifestyle. It also makes sense to avoid stressful situations, because in this way the risk of black discharge can be reduced.

What you can do yourself

If only a hormonal fluctuation, an allergy or an imbalance of the pH-value is behind the dark vaginal discharge, the body can be supported by some measures in its self-healing. Often women suffer from fluctuations in their female hormones – especially estrogen – when they are under great stress. It is important to provide mental and physical balance. Techniques such as autogenic training, yoga or Qi Gong as well as endurance sports such as swimming or running often show quick results. Attention should also be paid to a balanced diet. In stressful phases, fast food is often consumed, but this diet can also have an effect on the hormone balance. If a change in the pH value is the cause of the brownish discharge, ointments or suppositories based on lactic acid, which can be purchased over-the-counter in pharmacies, can provide quick help. The lactic acid brings the vaginal flora back into the natural, acidic range – germs have hardly any chance. In the case of an existing infection with viruses or bacteria, increased hygiene measures should be taken: Wear underwear made of pure cotton. These are breathable and can be washed at a high temperature, thus killing germs. Special laundry detergents for disinfection are also available in stores. If there is a latex allergy, it is advisable to switch to other materials or alternative methods when choosing contraceptives.