What should you know about light brown discharge menopause?

During the menopause transition, changing hormones can make periods irregular, lighter, heavier, or separated by longer gaps. Brown discharge may be older blood mixed with vaginal fluid. Vaginal dryness and tissue changes can also cause slight bleeding, especially after sex. Pelvic organ prolapse, polyps, infection, or changes in the lining of the womb may need consideration. Once periods have stopped for a year, any new blood or brown discharge is postmenopausal bleeding and should not be attributed to menopause without assessment.

Write down when the discharge appeared, whether it followed sex, and whether you have dryness, pain, odour, urinary symptoms, or pelvic pressure. Arrange a medical appointment for bleeding after menopause, repeated discharge, or symptoms that are new for you. A clinician may examine the vagina and cervix, review medicines and hormone therapy, and arrange testing or an ultrasound based on your history.

Seek urgent help for heavy bleeding, faintness, severe pelvic pain, fever, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Contact a clinician promptly for any blood or brown discharge after periods have stopped, even if it happened once and there is no pain. Mention bleeding after sex, new discharge, or pelvic pressure during the appointment.

Am I in the menopause transition or have my periods stopped? Could dryness, medicines, prolapse, or the womb lining be involved? Which examination or tests are appropriate?