Odd Discharge Question

[everlastinggoo.livejournal.com]

Hello VPs,

I have a minor concern about some discharge I have going on. A bit of backstory: I had my Mirena IUD inserted on 12/27. I'm 25, NP. On 1/10 I started my first "Mirena period" which was about a day of spotting, four days of normal bleeding, and then another day of spotting. So, that puts me to about 1/15. Ever since I've been having this odd, dark brown discharge. I would say it's just old blood/spotting but it's really watery and has the consistency of normal discharge--it's just funny colored. Sometimes it has clumps in it but most of the time not. It also has a rather musty smell which is very unusual for me--I'm usually fairly "unscented" down below. My periods on the pill were only ever about five days, and off birth control no more than seven with spotting included. And I've never had this odd watery brown stuff before.

Any ideas on what I have going on here? Is this anything to be concerned about, or completely normal?

Thanks in advance for any answers!


(x-posted to iud_divas

Comments

[paraxeni.livejournal.com]

Totally normal. Bleeding that's irregular, extended or just weird is very common during the first six months of mirena use. It's something you should have been warned about prior to insertion really.

[everlastinggoo.livejournal.com]

I was warned about irregular bleeding/spotting and I was expecting that, I was just concerned by the odd consistency and smell.

[saraf3m.livejournal.com]

Mirena is a localized HBC in your IUD and there are a couple things going on, the 1st of which your uterus is getting used to having an "occupant". Add to this the HBC will start to build up, or encourage additional cervical mucous, which does not "flow" as fast as menses. What's you're seeing for discharge (and smelling) is the change in cervical mucous and old blood caught in it, causing the yellow-brownish hue. You'll see it mentioned in the IUD_divas boards affectionately called twat snot - since it has very similar characteristics to nasal discharge.

You may experience a continued episode next month of spotting, and there are several reports of women having discontinued menses altogether after only 6 months. Sounds like your body is just getting used to having a new roommate and the effects this IUD has for the tenancy. Keep in mind that your "period" is going to be more related to withdrawal bleeding due to the HBC in the IUD (a little different then the copper counter part).

You'll probably have better responses in the cross post to iud_divas then my ramblings.
Best of luck

[everlastinggoo.livejournal.com]

Actually I think that's the best response I've gotten so far on what exactly is going on "down there." Thank you!!

[saraf3m.livejournal.com]

Glad you could decipher, and it helped~