What’s this brown, thick discharge when I’m NOT on my period?

This sounds like spotting. Even though it’s not bright red blood, brown discharge is generally still blood that has just been hanging out for a little while.

Periods produce bright red blood because shedding of the lining of the uterus exposes blood vessels. These blood vessels leak blood that comes out right away. However, it’s possible for blood to hang out in your uterus for a little while and, when it does, it turns brown. That’s why we still call it “spotting.”

Why is it called spotting? When you aren’t on your period, blood that comes from the uterus (whether brown or red) is generally called spotting (when you don’t need to wear a pad or tampon but you notice stuff in your underwear or when you wipe) or breakthrough bleeding (when you need a product to catch the blood). Other things that cause strange vaginal discharge (like STIs, BV or yeast infections) tend to be white, yellow or greenish, though in a small percentage of cases the discharge can be brown. If you have concerns about STIs, or if you have other vaginal symptoms like itching or burning when you pee, you should see a doctor.

Honestly, we don’t always know what causes spotting. Common causes are changes in birth control and missing a dose of birth control, though conditions like endometriosis and PCOS can also be to blame. Spotting every once in a while is nothing to be alarmed about, but if your periods become irregular or if the spotting continues, it would be best to speak with a doctor.