In most cases brown vaginal spotting is associated with menstrual period and old endometrial tissues. Sometimes brown spotting is just vaginal self-cleaning. Brown spotting and cramps can be a symptom of several health conditions in women – during regular menstrual period, ovulation, miscarriage, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, cervicitis and during uterine fibroids.
Brown spotting and cramps – regular menstrual period
Regular menstrual period involves the shedding of the uterine lining and menstrual bleeding during few days. It is a beginning of next menstrual cycle and it usually occurs every 28-36 days. Some women could have short brown spotting (1-2 days) before and/or after menstrual period which should not be a subject of concern. Menstrual cramps during mentioned period also can be just temporary (as a symptom of uterus contractions).
Brown spotting and cramps – ovulation
Some women could notice short cramps during ovulation and it can be combined with brown spotting – in most cases it is just response of uterus to increased levels of hormones.
Brown spotting and cramps – miscarriage
Brown spotting and cramps could be symptoms of spontaneous interruption of pregnancy (miscarriage). It is well known that about 15% of fertilized eggs are lost before the egg even has a chance to implant in the uterus wall. During early miscarriage women could have brown spotting or light spotting or bleeding combined with uterine contractions and abdominal cramps.
Brown spotting and cramps – Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a serious infection which can affect the uterus, Fallopian tubes and the ovaries. It can lead to pelvic adhesions causing ongoing pelvic pain, infertility and the possibility of ectopic pregnancy. Often PID is triggered by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). During PID women could have cramps and brown spotting between periods.
Brown spotting and cramps – ectopic pregnancy
Brown spotting and cramps
Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg attaches outside the cavity of the uterus – in most cases the ectopic pregnancies are found in the Fallopian tubes. Ectopic pregnancy cannot survive and pregnancy usually interrupts the development at early stages. Before and/or during pregnancy interruption women could have cramps and brown spotting.
Other ectopic pregnancy symptoms include lower abdomen pain, period delay, bleeding from the vagina, vaginal spotting, positive pregnancy test, dizziness or fainting (caused by blood loss), low blood pressure (also caused by blood loss).
Brown spotting and cramps – endometriosis
Endometriosis is the growth of cells similar to those that form the inside of the uterus (endometrial cells) but in a location outside of the uterus. Endometrial cells are the same cells that are shed each month during menstrual periods. The cells of endometriosis attach themselves to tissue outside the uterus and are called endometriosis implants – they could be found on ovaries, Fallopian tubes, outer surfaces of the uterus or intestines, and on the surface lining of the pelvic cavity. Sometimes endometriosis could appear in the vagina, cervix and bladder. Women with endometriosis could have brown spotting and cramps during or just before menstruation and lessens after menstruation.
Brown spotting and cramps – cervicitis
Inflammation of the cervix called “cervicitis” which is one of common conditions in sexually active women. In most cases cervicitis develops as a result of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Cervicitis could occasionally be caused by exposure to chemical irritants, the use of a diaphragm and/or allergies to condoms. Women with cervicitis could experience unpleasant irregular brown spotting and cramps. Other symptoms of cervicitis include brown spotting between periods, pain during or after intercourse, unusual vaginal spotting and pressure in the abdomen and pelvis.
Brown spotting and cramps – fibroids
Uterine fibroids are considered as benign tumors that grow in the lining of the uterus. Fibroids could have various shapes and different sizes. The main reasons for development of uterine fibroids are hormonal dysfunctions and genetic predispositions. It was noted the increased frequency of uterine fibroids in obese women and older women (after 35-40). Women with uterine fibroids often could experience cramps and irregular brown spotting.
Other symptoms of uterine fibroids include brown spotting between periods, pelvic pain, frequent urination, pain during sexual contacts, lower back pain and abdominal fullness.
