Female Issues - Cincinnati,OH

Brown blood is perfectly normal and very common in many women, it's just "old blood" and tends to either precede or follow the red blood. It tends to be light, not heavy. But sometimes it can be "chunky". I know, eww right? It can also make up the majority of the period in some people.

Blood is a specialized bodily fluid that is composed of a liquid called blood plasma and blood cells suspended within the plasma. The blood cells present in blood are red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. We have red blood, which is bright red when oxygenated, due to hemoglobin.

When the blood breaks down, the oxygen concentration is reduced and the plasma, which is mostly water, by concentration, is released. Therefore, the blood is not as red and not as bright - thus it appears brown.

I had heavy gross periods for about a year after I had my daughter. They were never really the same but they did get better over time.

Have your thyroid checked. Before my hypothyroidism was diagnosed, my periods would be exactly like yours: brown stuff for a few days; 14 day periods.

As soon as I went on thyroid, my periods went to 28 day cycles, and 6 days long.

It probably just means that your body has finally "recovered" from the changes that it was going through for the past year and a half and that this may be your new "normal". I would simply discuss this with your ob/gyn the next time you have an appointment. Keep a diary of your periods, and share it with your Dr. Let him/her be the one to tell you if this is something to be concerned about or not.

I remember mine doing that but I was also nursing still. So the doctor said that it was normal even though it ws quite disturbing.

My ds is 7 mo now (born via c-section) and I'm having the exact same issue. I just had my annual and talked to my doc about it and he said it's just my hormones trying to level out. He said he would be concerned if it stays that way for a year or two. Otherwise just give it some time . Good luck!!

I recent had 2 odd months in a row, one normal month and then another odd month and then back to normal for the last 3 months. During the odd months I would go for 10 days in comparison to my normal 4 days. I would spot for several days, normal for about 2 days and spot for several days. It was really odd. I was scared after the 2 month in a roll that it was going to become my norm but thankfully it is all back to normal again. My youngest is a little over 2 1/2 and my tubes are tied. I too wondered what it was about but never went to the doctor or anything. It straightened it self out so I have put it behind me. I do have a pap smear scheduled in about 2 weeks and if I remember, I will ask my doctor because I am still a little curious about it.

Hi - I had the same thing and was told it was normal. Of course, you should always see your doctor about something "weird" but I don't think you need to be too worried.

It is old blood from your last period, and I also read that it can be caused by your hormones being different. I read that it can indicate that one of your hormone levels is too low which isn't a big deal as far as your health is concerned, but if it doesn't go back to normal, it could mean that you'd have trouble getting pregnant again if you wanted to BUT this is very easily corrected by taking hormones.

For me, the brown stuff (I know, it's totally gross, right??) got to be less and less and closer and closer to the start of my actual period until my periods were mostly back to normal about six months after weaning my son. I would definitely check with your GYN about it just to be safe, but I don't think it's anything you need to be too worried about. I think it is just another one of those adjustments our bodies make after being pregnant. :) Good luck!

it seems like EVERYTHING is "normal" when it comes to periods!!!

I have been to the ER when I had to change pad and tampon (both for heavy flow) within one hour of when I started using them!!!! They told me it was normal... huh???? lol I absolutely LOVE it when I have a slow light period even if it is for more than 2 weeks!!!!! lol

This is just a personal opinion but there are also a couple of questions you didnt answer in your post. Did you Breastfeed? Is this your FIRST period after having your baby. I had my first period 6 months after giving birth (sorry I didnt GIVE birth, i had a C) and my period was similar and the actual RED flow lasted 7 days....and it was HEAVY..so heavy that I needed a tampon and a pad changed every hour. (Gross) it tappered off after 7 days and still lingered on (with panty liners only) for 5 more days. I also had some fierce cramps when it was heavy. So if this sounds like your situation, you are normal. Pre kid, my period was soo wonderful...2 days...3 days MAX and now I am a solid 5-7er AND it comes every 20-25 days...so Sometimes I get it twice a month. I also do not exerise or eat as well as I did before kids (who has the time right?)
If you are really concerned, just give your OBGYN a call and ask the nurse. they shoudl be able to tell you if you need to come in.

I had the same problem. I tried orto low dose and it didn't make it better. I told my dr that I couldn't bleed for 2-3 weeks of every month and he put me on the nuva ring. I really didn't want to do it but anything was better than that much bleeding. The dr said that the difference is that the hormone stays constant with the nuva ring and not in the pill.

I still use it 1 1/2 years later. My hubby says he can feel it so I take it out before sex, but other than that it's just fine.

Are you on birth control? After my second was born I went on birth control and wasn't ever really happy with my periods.... not like anyone ever is! But, they were AT LEAST 7 days and very heavy and crampy. I switched birth control pills after talking to the dr. about this and it's much better. Just an idea :)