Is brown discharge after taking Tri-Sprintec normal? 

Is brown discharge after taking Tri-Sprintec normal? 

Brown discharge after taking Tri-Sprintec is one of the most common side effects of this birth control medication. 

Tri-Sprintec is a hormonal birth control which contains Estrogen and Progestin, and such meds can affect your normal hormonal functions (1). 

The first and the most commonly expected outcomes are irregular periods and brown-coloured discharge. This could also be the case of breakthrough bleeding in which you bleed in between your periods. 

Since most of the blood is old and consists of worn-out RBCs, it is brown and not bright red in colour. However, if the bleeding increases or you’re experiencing a lot of pain, talk to your healthcare provider. 

What to do if you are experiencing heavy brown discharge after taking Tri-Sprintec?

Talk to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing excessive brown discharge. Tri-Sprintec can cause discharge, but it shouldn’t be too heavy. If it is, your doctor may recommend some tests to diagnose the underlying condition that could be responsible for brown vaginal discharge. 

The brown vaginal discharge could be caused by a number of reasons, including (2):

  • Hormonal fluctuations
  • Infection or inflammation
  • Breakthrough bleeding or bleeding between periods
  • Ovulation-related bleeding
  • Endometrial changes
  • Side effects of certain medications, including birth implants like Nexplanon, vaginal rings like NuvaRing, antibiotics like Metronidazole, etc. 

Common hormonal side effects of Tri-Sprintec

Some common hormonal side effects associated with Tri-Sprintec include:

  • Irregular menstrual bleeding
  • Changes in menstrual flow
  • Breast tenderness
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Mood changes
  • Weight changes
  • Changes in libido
  • Vaginal discharge or dryness
  • Bloating or fluid retention

Just make sure you closely monitor your side effects and report them to your healthcare provider. 

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References

1.-

DeMayo FJ, Zhao B, Takamoto N, Tsai SY. Mechanisms of action of estrogen and progesterone. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002 Mar;955:48-59; discussion 86-8, 396-406. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2002.tb02765.x. PMID: 11949965. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11949965/

2.-

Bishop GB. Vaginal Discharge. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd ed. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 172. PMID: 21250124. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21250124/