Does anyone else suffer with brown/bloody discharge in between periods?

[clumsy1]

I was diagnosed with endometriosis in 1996 and had a chocolate cyst removed. Since then I have suffered with in between bleeding and a light to heavy brown discharge. I have tried most pills and have been on the mini pill since February. After a few months of hell and constant bleeding my periods suddenly stopped and I didn't have any additional discharge. This carried on for about 4 months but now my bleeding/discharge has started up again as have my periods. Whenever I have been to the doctors in the past, I feel as though I am being fobbed off after scans show nothing, and it's just a case of putting up with it which I don't feel I should have to. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

[Impatient]

As you get older the lining of the uterus can take longer to peel away and shed , and the longer it is in you the darker it becomes as it loses oxygen.

At the time of ovulating mid cycle- you have a burst of hormones that trigger the ovulation to happen, this can be enough to also shed the remaining uterus lining left over from the last period, causing a late slewing out of remaining womb lining. It does get more frequent that it will happen as you get older and the womb is older. and it is pretty normal.

It can be an indicator of endo too- but you have already been diagnosed with that.

Finding ways to stop the monthly shedding is the only way to stop it, so either back to back BC pills - or a mirena coil or other implant designed to stop your period should also stop too many of the mid cycle sheddings of the uterus lining.

You may find that having a D&C clean up inside can help here too if you can't have or don't want to take the various methods to stop your periods.

The colour of the bleed because it is dark is the biggest clue of all. It is old, a fresh bleed is bright red. like all scabs and dried up blood go darker the longer they are there or older they are, so too the same happens with uterine menstrual lining.

It is not anything to be worrying about, more an inconvenience and if you do want to try and improve the shelf life of the uterus then perhaps having it properly cleaned out with a D&C is the answer- but you may need to get that done privately as it would be considered a non essential procedure.

[clumsy1 in reply to Impatient]

Thanks for your reply. I have been having the discharge etc since I was in my 20's, and tried most of the pills. I will maybe think about going fora D&C.

[Emma-louise]

I suffer from very irregular periods, and I'm going for a scan in 2 weeks to see if they can see any endometriosis - so i can't say that the discharge and the endo are connected.

But i do have very thick dark brown discharge in between my periods, and sometimes even just before i start my cycle too.

I've always just assumed its normal, as it looked like very much like old blood.

if your really concerned though i guess the only one who can tell you is your doctor.

Sorry to not have been more help x

[clumsy1 in reply to Emma-louise]

Hi Emma-Louise. That is what mine is like too. It's more of a nuisance than anything else as some months I only seem to have a few clear days. Good luck with your scan and hope you get sorted soon. x

[Emma-louise in reply to clumsy1]

Yep it is a major pain especially as you have to be prepared all month for it, and sometimes mine does hurt a little.

Next time i see my consultant i'll remember to ask him about the permanent discharge and see what he says and let you know, but i don't think ill get to see him before xmas now.

Thanks for the luck x

[clumsy1 in reply to Emma-louise]

Thanks that would be great.It drags you down doesn't it. Men have it so easy.

x