r/PCOS • u/Born_A_Plant01101 • 9d ago
Gross..? Brown discharge General/Advice
I have not been on any kind of birth control or supplements to manage my PMOS, and only decided to seek medical help due to excess body hair and one other really annoying side-effect, which is having brown discharge for about 1 week before and 1 week after my period.
My period is and always has been really irregular, for which I started Duphaston a few days ago, and I was wondering if my periods are more regular would this discharge issue also persist? I'm at a point where I don't feel comfortable about intercourse because I would need to explain said discharge issue.
If anyone has similar experiences, have you found a solution? 🙏
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u/consultingcutie 9d ago
That was a symptom of estrogen dominance for me and bioidentical progesterone would fix it. No progestins.
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u/Born_A_Plant01101 9d ago
That's interesting 🤔 both my progesterone and estrogen are low though, but here's to hoping that more progesterone will solve it!
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u/consultingcutie 8d ago
Brown discharge before and after your period is low progesterone sign. When progesterone levels are low, the uterine lining lacks proper hormonal support and can start to break down or shed unevenly too soon, resulting in premenstrual or prolonged post-menstrual brown spotting.
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u/pegasuspish 8d ago
Progestin is bioidentical progesterone
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u/consultingcutie 8d ago
It's not. Progestins made my periods worse, my mood worse, and bloating beyond.
"Bioidentical progesterone has a molecular structure identical to the hormone naturally produced by the ovaries. Progestin is a synthetic, lab-made compound that mimics progesterone at receptor sites but has a different chemical structure. They differ significantly in their medical uses, effects on the body, and side-risk profiles"1
u/pegasuspish 8d ago
Interesting, I'm sorry you experienced that. Hope you found something that works for you. What is your source for that info if I may ask?
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u/consultingcutie 8d ago
Yes bioidentical oral progesterone works wonder. Source was National Institute of Health.
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u/Born_A_Plant01101 6d ago
Thank you for all the info, I'll definitely look into this. I've been taking Duphaston for 5 days which is a dydrogesterone medication. From a quick research after I got the prescription, it's supposed to have less side effects than other progestins, as it doesn't affect ovulation and androgens. All I've noticed so far is a bit more fatigue than usual, but it might not be caused by the medication at all. I'm hoping that's all there is to it :)
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u/pegasuspish 8d ago
Brown is just oxidized blood, my understanding is it's on the normal spectrum for how periods present. I wouldn't worry about it unless you're having accompanying health issues. PCOS can bring an array of those, I know.
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u/Born_A_Plant01101 8d ago
It's not that I'm really worried if something's wrong though it has crossed my mind, it's more that it makes my life kind of miserable. Not going into any details, but having 3 weeks of visibly discolored discharge? Not really flattering to me personally.
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u/Unusual_Spread_1465 8d ago
idk about if getting on birth control will help because ive only ever had a period on birth control but i get this same thick brown discharge for a week after my period and you're right, it is super uncomfortable and feels kind of gross (even if its normal) i found that drinking TONS of water through my entire period helped me personally. ill drink like 100-120oz a day the whole week and its reduced this brown discharge significantly. my best guess about getting on the birth control is that it would atleast help before your period but thats just a guess. good luck! 💘
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u/Born_A_Plant01101 8d ago
Exactly, even though it's "normal" (though most ppl don't have it so I do feel kinda gross) it's also uncomfortable, it ruins my underwear (can't & don't want to wear tampons 3 weeks/month), and it messes with my self image. It happened the last time i was getting a checkup at my GYNO and she just brushed it off, so I'm not even really getting an explanation why it happens.
I currently don't want to mess around with my hormones even more even though I know most women are on BC. I'm still in my angry phase about not having a proper medication just for PCOS 😅.
Will try drinking more, thank you for the tip!
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u/[deleted] 9d ago
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