Brown discharge, dark red clots period
Hi,
My periods flow have become short and unusual lately. I have brown discharge/ spots mixed with dark red clots, no red colored blood. Very light periods.
Is this normal?
I have now visited several GPs, they all suspect endometrioses because of my constant burning pelvic pain. But they couldn’t confirm endometrioses.
I read that all women with endometrioses experience heavy bleeding but my periods are light ever since I turned 33 years old. now I’m 34 with constant pain.I have small uterine fibroids.
I've had similar experiences to you with short periods with dark blood and clots. I would say that it's not normal in terms of a healthy period, but I think it's probably common for people with endo, and potentially fibroids, but I don't know as much about that. I would see if you could find a gynecologist in your area, since the combination of burning pelvis and darker blood/clots does seem to point toward endo. Nancy's Nook is a good place to look for specialists in your area: https://nancysnookendo.com/find-a-doctor/
~Katrina, Endometriosis.net Advocate
Not everyone with endo has heavy bleeding. But any change in your period that lasts longer than a few months is definitely worth a conversation with a gynecologist or OB/GYN. I agree with Katrina about searching Nancy’s Nook on Facebook for a specialist. They’ll be able to do more specific tests to look for endo, which may include a laparoscopy — the only way to diagnose endo right now.
With that said, brown discharge/spotting is usually a sign of old blood. Blood turns brown the longer it stays in the body. (Technically speaking, the blood has longer to oxidize, which changes the color from bright red to brown). That might make sense for you if you have a light flow. I often have brown discharge at the beginning and end of my period.
Our periods also change as we age, including possibly getting shorter and lighter. But your doctor should be able to find the underlying cause of your pelvic pain and do other tests to see if there’s another reason for the change in your menstrual cycle. I’m going through this right now at 41 because my periods have become shorter and irregular, including a 2-day period. So far, I’ve gotten a thyroid test (which was normal) and am scheduled for a transvaginal ultrasound to look for other issues. I’ll keep pressing until I’m satisfied with my doctor’s answer.
Please let us know how things go, and I hope you find a doctor who’ll offer you some relief! - Keri (endometriosis.net team member)
