[smylmor]

:confused: I have been experiencing a brown discharge at the time my period would take place. I go through the normal pms stuff, and the wanna-be period is pretty regular. It starts about the same day every month, not more than 2 days before/after the previous month. Instead of getting the nice, familiar red flow, I get a brown, sometimes gooey, discharge. I can't remember the last time I saw the red stuff. It's not heavy enough for a tampon or a regular pad, but it's enough to be considered more than spotting. There are times during the "cycle" where my pantyliner would be clean, but I'd wipe some of the discharge with t.p. There's no odor, no itching, etc.
This has been going on for about 1 year, every month/cycle. I have not had sex or performed in any sexual activities of any kind for 8 months. I've been off because pills for 8 months as well. I'm pretty sure I'm well past that "hormonal adjustment" phase which follows the start/finish/change of because. I am familiar with the brown blood = old blood and red blood = new/fresh blood and the cleansing explanation.
All the information I've read is about the woman's 1st period, just started/ended/changed because pills, is sexually active, the brown stuff is between periods or immediately before/after. I fall into none of those categories.
I am getting married next year and plan on starting our family right away. I am worried that this may be more serious than I thought. I didn't panic at first, but now that I've seen how much time has passed, I think I'm starting to worry.
I have an appointment with my doc in 2 weeks, but I was hoping I might learn of some new information to take with me.

If anyone has new information that might help me out a little, I'm open to suggestions.

Thank you.

[DoulaLC]

Just a brown discharge during a period can sometimes be an indication of an infection, but often it is due to the lining of the uterus not being shed entirely from a previous period. There can be a hormonal situation that is preventing the uterine lining from properly preparing for ovulation, and possibly pregnancy, and when a period is due, what lining is there is expelled. If the lining itself has not developing normally, the discharge experienced can be different from the norm.
A possibility of infection or other medical concern should be ruled out before other possibilities are checked.
Anytime a change from the norm takes place, especially if it continues, it is wise to have things checked out.