Hi, I'm hoping you can put my mind at ease.. I'm 18, ever since I've started my period, it's never been regular so I just wait for back pain and cramps to know when I'll start my next period, before and after my period I have minor dark brown discharge. I'm sexually active, and I try to be safe as possible; although, I'm not on the pill. I've had sex once each week, and this week I'm experiencing dark brown discharge almost every day for a week, it's enough to need a small pad or liner. I haven't spotted any blood or an odor. I've done some research and have found some pretty scary stuff like possible pregnancy, cervical cancer, or just am irregular period and this is my body's way of getting the blood out. I haven't experienced any cramping or pain though. I have however been stressed out a lot due to college, and I've read stress can cause irregular periods. My question is, why in the world do I have brown discharge?