If you’re in your 20s or older and have a vagina, you’ve likely seen something red coming from it at some point. After all, many people with vaginas have periods and period blood is red, so… . But there’s a huge difference between dealing with period blood and having red discharge when it’s not that time of the month.
Ob-gyns say there’s usually a simple answer for why you’re having red or reddish discharge. “Typically, it’s blood,” says Christine Greves, MD, ob-gyn at Orlando Health Women’s Institute Center for Obstetrics & Gynecology and obstetrical and gynecological surgeon at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. But if it’s not your typical time of the month, or if you don’t often have a period (due to being on a hormonal contraceptive that stops your period, for instance), figuring out the reason why you’re bleeding down there may take a little digging.
So we asked Dr. Greves and another MD for some of the biggest reasons for red discharge, plus possible next steps to take.
Red Discharge Causes
Red discharge can happen outside of your uterus’s regularly scheduled menstrual programming. While ob-gyns say this is definitely worth paying attention to, they also stress that there’s no need to panic about red discharge alone. Here are nine possible reasons for red discharge. And below, the doctors tell PS when it’s time to see a doctor about the symptom.
Your period decided to show up at a different time.
A period is the number-one reason why most women have red discharge, Dr. Greves says. “During menstruation, the shedding of the uterine lining can cause red or dark red discharge,” says Meleen Chuang, MD, clinical associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Family Health Centers at NYU Langone. While regular periods are common, it’s also possible for your period to be thrown out of whack sometimes, Dr. Greves says. You might be experiencing breakthrough bleeding, or a full, out-of-schedule period.
You switched up your birth control.
If you previously took a hormonal contraceptive and stopped or switched to a new type of birth control, you could be experiencing what’s known as a withdrawal bleed, Dr. Greves says. This is caused by a drop in hormone levels after you stop taking your medication, she explains. “It should stop fairly quickly,” she adds.
You have a vaginal infection or STI
“Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), gonorrhea, or chlamydia can result in red discharge accompanied by pain, itching, or a foul odor,” Dr. Chuang says. Yeast infections and trichomonas can also cause bloody discharge if you have a severe case that goes untreated, she adds.
It’s due to a cervical or uterine polyp.
Polyps are finger-like growths of tissue that can protrude from your cervix or uterus, Greves explains. These are usually benign – meaning, not cancerous – but they can cause spotting or bleeding like a red discharge, Dr. Chuang says.
You have uterine fibroids.
“Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that can cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding and result in red discharge,” Dr. Chuang says. Fibroids develop from the muscle tissue of the uterus and are the most common type of growth found in a woman’s pelvis, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). They usually come along with symptoms like heavy periods, cramps, bleeding at times when you’re not on your period, trouble peeing or peeing frequently, and constipation, per ACOG.
You cut yourself shaving.
It happens to the best of us. If you happen to cut your vagina or vulva while shaving, that blood can get mixed with your regular discharge and create a red discharge, Dr. Greves points out.
You had a baby recently.
Bleeding and discharge is common for several weeks after having a baby, whether you had a vaginal or cesarean birth. It’s called lochia, and the bleeding usually starts out as bright red, before becoming lighter over a period of a few days or weeks, according to ACOG.
You’re having pregnancy complications.
Red discharge when you’re pregnant can be alarming, but there could be a few reasons for it. One is cervical changes that can happen during pregnancy, Dr. Greves says. It’s also possible to have red discharge if you have a condition like placenta previa, where the placenta covers all or part of the opening to your cervix. Regardless, red discharge during pregnancy is always something to discuss with your doctor ASAP, since it can also be a sign of a miscarriage, Dr. Greves says – or, if you’re farther along, a sign that you’re in labor.
You have cancer.
It’s very likely that the cause of your red discharge is something else we previously mentioned. But it’s important to flag that red discharge or unexpected bleeding can be a sign of endometrial cancer and cervical cancer too, Dr. Greves points out. We dig more into other symptoms to watch out for and when to see your doctor about red discharge below, but if you have a family history of these two cancers and begin experiencing red discharge, it’s a good idea to visit your healthcare provider for a check up.
How to Treat Red Discharge
The right treatment for red discharge ultimately depends on what’s causing it in the first place. “If it is due to menstruation or hormonal changes, no treatment may be necessary,” Chuang says. If you know you recently changed your birth control or that your period is off lately, it may be worth sitting on this for a moment and seeing what happens next.
“However, if it is caused by an infection, STI, or other medical condition, it is important to seek medical attention for appropriate treatment,” Chuang says. Given that it can be tricky to diagnose these things on your own, it’s often better to see your doctor if you’re unsure what’s going on.
When to See a Doctor For Red Discharge
You can – and should – see or call your doctor any time you experience a new symptom that’s concerning to you. If it ends up being no big deal, you can breathe a sigh of relief. And if it ends up being the sign of something that needs medical treatment, you won’t regret seeking out help.
While there are a wide range of culprits for it, in general the MDs who spoke to PS flagged that red discharge is one of the more concerning vaginal discharge colors, so a doctor’s visit may be in the cards if you experience it. “It’s a good idea to get it checked out, especially if it doesn’t go away,” Dr. Greves says.
Dr. Chuang recommends that you definitely see a doctor if you have any of the following issues:
- Heavy, prolonged bleeding
- Pain or cramping with your discharge
- Recurrent persistent discharge.
- A risk for STIs or a previous reproductive issue
And again, it’s also a good idea to contact your doctor if you have red discharge and you’re pregnant, Dr. Greves says, or if you have a family history of cervical or endometrial cancers.
Korin Miller is a writer specializing in general wellness, health, and lifestyle trends. Her work has appeared in Women’s Health, Self, Health, Forbes, and more.
