Some women may have pink secretions at certain times in life, which in most cases is not a concern, as this may be related to the menstrual cycle phase, contraceptive use or hormonal changes.
However, in some cases, this color of discharge may be related to other conditions, which should be evaluated by the gynecologist, especially if other signs and symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea or odor at the discharge, appear, for example.
Some causes that may be the cause of brown discharge include
Some women who are in the first or last days of menstruation may have a pink discharge, which is usually the result of a mixture of blood and vaginal secretions.
What to do: Having a pink secretion at the beginning or end of the period is quite normal and no treatment is necessary.
When a woman experiences hormonal fluctuations, she may have a pink secretion. This occurs when estrogen is present in insufficient amounts to keep the lining of the uterus stable, allowing it to take off, which may have a pink color.
What to do: Hormonal imbalance can be caused by several factors, such as stress, poor diet, overweight or illness. Therefore, it is important to look for a family doctor or endocrinologist, to understand what is causing this imbalance.
Some women have pink secretion when contraceptives begin or change, which is more common in those with low estrogen levels or only in progestin composition.
In addition, this can also occur when the woman does not take the birth control pill properly.
What to do: This symptom usually appears during the first month or 3 months after the onset of birth control. However, if it lasts longer, the woman should go to the gynecologist.
The ovarian cyst consists of a bag full of fluid, which can form inside or around the ovary and be asymptomatic or generate symptoms such as pink discharge, pain, changes in menstruation or difficulty getting pregnant. Know what types of ovarian cysts.
What to do: Ovarian cyst treatment is only performed in certain situations, such as in the presence of symptoms or malignant characteristics. In these cases, your doctor may recommend the use of the birth control pill, with estrogen and progesterone and, more rarely, removal of the ovary.
Pink discharge can also be a symptom of pregnancy, which occurs due to nesting, also called implantation. This corresponds to the implantation of the embryo in the endometrium, which is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus.
What to do: The pink flow during nesting, although not all women do, is perfectly normal. However, if the intensity of bleeding increases, you should see your gynecologist. Identify the bleeding feature of the nesting.
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection that starts in the vagina and ascends, affecting both the uterus and tubes and ovaries, being able to spread to a large pelvic area or even the abdomen, generating symptoms such as pink, yellow or greenish secretion, bleeding during intercourse and pelvic pain.
What to do: Treatment is usually done with antibiotics, depending on the severity of the disease, and surgery may be necessary. Learn more about treatment.
A pink secretion can also be a sign of miscarriage, which is very common during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. This can occur due to fetal malformation, excessive use of alcohol or drugs, or trauma to the abdominal area.
Signs and symptoms usually appear suddenly and may include fever, severe abdominal pain, headache and pink discharge that can progress to stronger bleeding or loss of clots in the vagina.
What to do: If the woman suspects she is having a miscarriage, she should go to the emergency department immediately.
When a woman is moving into menopause, she experiences hormonal fluctuations that cause changes in the menstrual cycle. As a result, symptoms such as pink discharge, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, and mood swings may occur.
Find out if you’re entering menopause with our online symptom test
What to do: Menopause treatment should be done if symptoms cause discomfort and compromise a woman’s quality of life. In some cases, hormone replacement therapy or dietary supplementation may be justified.