Question

Hi, I am 16 years old and I just had my period last week or so. Right after the last day, I started to have some brown discharge almost every day, and I have had this other times also. Why? Is something wrong with me? Do I have an infection? Also I usually have a white discharge almost everyday. No matter if I'm on my period or not, I still have it. Is this bad?

Bekah

Answer

Dear Bekah,

There are many variations of normal. And there are times in our lives when these variations are more common place, such as when our cycles are just establishing themselves in our teen years, or when they are fading, during the perimenopause. Having a few days of brown on the tail end of your period during these times may just reflect this less stable time, hormonally. And some women just have continuous discharge. It can be for a variety of reasons, ranging from a reaction to something as simple as a perfumed product, to an infection, or overgrowth of yeast. You might see your physician to rule out infection, especially if you have a fever, or the discharge has an odor, or is accompanied by any pain or itching.

You can also learn to chart your cycles, and keep a record of your menses, the pattern of the brown bleeding, and the daily discharge. There are women who are experts in this, and they can help you know how to do this, and also be a resource for knowing what is normal and abnormal. While seeing some brown spotting on the tail end of your menses is nothing to be too concerned about now, if it continues after your cycles are well established, or lasts a long time, or is accompanied by other problems such as very difficult pms signs, it is possible you might benefit from having your hormone levels evaluated.

Meanwhile, I would recommend you wear 100% cotton underwear, practice good hygiene (this includes wiping front to back when you use the restroom), and avoid perfumed products, such as highly scented soaps, scented toilet paper or tampons or pads, fabric softener sheets in the dryer, and any perfumed sprays in the genital area.

If you are interested in learning more detailed information about charting and understanding your cycle, you can consult one of the experts in our directory.

Thanks for a good question, and one that I am sure many other young women your age are wondering about too!

Sheila St. John

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