Brown spots before menstruation is a common thing experienced by almost every woman. However, this condition should not be taken lightly, because brown spots can also be caused by certain conditions or diseases.
Brown spots or blood spots usually appear at the beginning or end of the menstrual cycle. In most cases, this condition is normal and harmless.
However, if brown spots come out continuously and are accompanied by other symptoms, this could be a sign of a certain medical condition.
Causes of Brown Spots Before Menstruation
There are several causes for the appearance of brown spots before menstruation, including:
1. Stress
Stress can disrupt hormone levels in the body, including hormones that affect the menstrual cycle. This can cause the appearance of brown spots before entering the menstrual period.
2. Pregnancy
Brown spots before menstruation can also be an early sign of pregnancy. Generally, brown spots come out in the first trimester of pregnancy and most often occur at 6-7 weeks of gestation.
However, if the appearance of brown spots is accompanied by abdominal cramps or blood that comes out more than normal menstruation, this could be a sign of a miscarriage.
3. Perimenopause
Brown spots before menstruation can also appear during the transition to menopause, which is around the age of 40 years and over. This can occur due to a decrease in the amount of the hormone estrogen which also affects the menstrual cycle.
4. Side effects of contraceptives
Consumption of birth control pills is also known to trigger the appearance of irregular brown spots. In addition to birth control pills, other contraceptives that can also trigger brown spots are the IUD or spiral birth control.
5. Infection
Infections in the female organs, such as sexually transmitted diseases, yeast infections, or HPV infections, can cause brown spots to appear before menstruation.
Not only that, usually these conditions are also accompanied by other symptoms, such as itching or pain in the vagina, pain after sexual intercourse, and an unpleasant odor from the vagina.
Things to Watch Out for from the Appearance of Brown Spots Before Menstruation
Although it is not a condition that endangers the body, it is better if you consult a doctor if you experience brown spots before your period. Moreover, if the condition is accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain or itching and bleeding occurs after sex.
In addition, there are several ways you can do to reduce the risk of brown spots appearing before your period, including:
- Maintain weight
- Avoid stress
- Changing contraceptives or taking birth control pills as recommended
- Perform regular Pap smears
In addition, you can also note every time you have brown spots before your period appears. Also pay attention if there are other symptoms that accompany the presence of these spots or a change in the color of the spots.
If there are other complaints that accompany the appearance of brown spots before menstruation, you should consult a doctor so that the cause can be determined and given the right treatment.