What Does Black Vaginal Discharge Mean? Causes & What to Do

Key takeaways:

• Black vaginal discharge is usually the result of blood mixing with the vagina’s normal secretions and moisture.
• Blood takes on a black or dark brown appearance when it’s been allowed to collect and sit over time, losing its oxygen and its reaction with iron.
• Black vaginal discharge can occur normally during your period. In other cases, it’s likely a sign of abnormal bleeding in the vagina caused by inflammation or infection.

Clear, thin vaginal discharge is usually normal and a sign of good health. Black vaginal discharge, however, often points to abnormal bleeding in the vagina. While blood is typically red, old blood or blood that’s clotted loses oxygen and darkens over time. As a result, it may take on a dark brown or even black appearance.

When this old blood mixes with vaginal fluids, it can cause a dark or black discharge. The most important question, then, is what’s causing the bleeding that leads to black discharge. Bleeding around your menstrual period can be normal, but outside of this timeframe, it’s likely a sign of infection or a health condition that requires medical attention.

Is it normal to have black vaginal discharge?

In some cases, black or dark brown vaginal discharge can be normal. This is most likely to be true at the beginning or end of your period, when old blood may mix with normal vaginal secretions.

Such a discharge usually resolves on its own within a few days. However, black discharge that occurs between periods or that’s persistent might be a sign of something more serious.

What is black vaginal discharge?

Black vaginal discharge is any discharge that has mixed with old, deoxygenated blood. It might accompany your menstrual period, or it can be a sign of bleeding within the vagina caused by inflammatory conditions (called vaginitis). Sometimes, black discharge is a sign of infection or cervicitis, or inflammation of the cervix.

Common causes of black vaginal discharge

Anything that can bleed can cause a bloody discharge, ranging from pink to black. Outside of your period, vaginal bleeding of any type–even one seen as a black discharge–is usually a warning signal that the environment of your vagina isn’t right.

Cervicitis

The cervix, normally sitting securely at the rear of the vagina, is the bottom-most part of your uterus. However, its cells are different from other vaginal cells because it contains mucus glands. These are extremely sensitive to changes in acidity (pH), inflammation, hormones, and infection. Irritation and inflammation of the cervix, or cervicitis, can cause bleeding that manifests as a black vaginal discharge.

Vaginitis

Inflammation of the vaginal tissue is called vaginitis. This can happen with infections, such as bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. Inflammation can lead the vaginal cells to bleed, and as this blood collects, it may grow darker with time.

Changes in vaginal pH

The normal bacteria in the vagina are lactobacilli, which produce lactic acid. This gives it an acidic pH measurement (4.5). This acidity has antibiotic properties to protect against infections of the entire reproductive tract. A pH change away from acidity happens with infections such as bacterial vaginosis. Vaginal and cervical cells, inflamed from the infection, can bleed; the altered acidity can make it worse.

Hormonal changes

Menopause, which occurs when the production of estrogen and progesterone ceases, alters the pH of the vagina. Over time, these shifts and other biological changes associated with menopause can lead to a condition called atrophic vaginitis, in which the cells are easily traumatized and bleed.

Infection

Many infections can cause inflammation, and some can also cause bleeding. In either case, an untreated infection could contribute to a black vaginal discharge. Common vaginal infections include:

• Yeast vaginitis (yeast infection)
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis

What black vaginal discharge can mean based on your menstrual cycle

Throughout the menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus thickens and eventually begins to break down and shed, leading to what we know as a period. The time between the bleeding or shedding and when it exits to the vagina will determine how dark menstrual blood becomes. So, black discharge could be normal at the beginning or end of your period.

What black discharge may mean based on appearance, texture, or another symptom or condition

Sometimes, the presence of other symptoms or changes can help you pinpoint what’s causing your black vaginal discharge.

• Black specks in vaginal discharge: Likely due to individual clotted pieces of discharge.
• Black vaginal discharge after sexual intercourse: The mechanical act and friction of intercourse can dislodge old blood from the cervix or which has collected in the vagina.
• Black vaginal discharge during pregnancy: This typically means that some bleeding during pregnancy occurred but didn’t present in the vagina until some time after it happened. Although this can happen from implantation in the first trimester, any evidence of bleeding is a medical emergency of pregnancy until proven otherwise.

Read our guides on vaginal discharge colors and vaginal discharge odors for more.

When you should see a doctor about black vaginal discharge

If you experience black discharge at the beginning or end of your period – and don’t notice any other symptoms – you likely have nothing to worry about. In other cases, it’s best to check in with your doctor to determine what could be causing your symptoms.

You should see a doctor if:

• You experience black discharge between periods or experience irregular menstrual cycles.
• You are pregnant, possibly pregnant, or menopausal and notice black discharge.
• Your discharge is accompanied by burning, itching, pain, or a foul odor.
• You experience changes after sexual contact with a new partner.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• Your black discharge comes with a fever, nausea, vomiting, back pain, or pelvic pain.
• You notice blood in your urine or feces.
• You experience dizziness or lightheadedness.

Questions to ask your doctor about black vaginal discharge

• Is my black vaginal discharge a normal part of my cycle or could it be an infection?
• How will you make a correct diagnosis and, if necessary, treat it and confirm the success of treatment?
• Should my care and treatment involve my partner?

How to get rid of or treat black vaginal discharge

Black vaginal discharge that comes with a period is unusual, but happens. When black discharge is not related to your period, though, the best treatment will depend on its underlying cause. Treating the cause of the bleeding will treat the discharge.

Antifungal medication

Medicated cream or suppositories can treat yeast infections. Oral antifungal pills can eliminate yeast from your rectum, which is usually the source of repeated vaginal yeast infections.

Antibiotics

In cases where a vaginal infection causes bleeding or black discharge, a course of antibiotics is usually the best treatment option. Specific antibiotics are indicated for specific infections, so it’s important to see your doctor for proper screening and evaluation.

Non-medical treatments

You can use lactobacillus culture (probiotics) or even yogurt in the vagina to reestablish the normal vaginal balance of bacteria. This applies primarily to bacterial vaginosis or generalized vaginal inflammation without an identifiable cause.

Frequently asked questions: black vaginal discharge

A black vaginal discharge can definitely be alarming, so it’s normal to have questions about what steps to take next. Here are some more commonly asked questions that might shed some light on your symptoms:

Is black vaginal discharge caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?

It can be. STIs are a common cause of vaginitis and cervicitis, which can cause bleeding that ends up as a black discharge.

Is black vaginal discharge a sign of pregnancy?

It can be if it’s associated with implantation bleeding, but this should not be assumed. Any bleeding–during any time of pregnancy or even the possibility of pregnancy, makes seeking emergency medical care necessary. Also, you can have vaginal bleeding with an ectopic pregnancy, which may be seen as black; an ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency and requires prompt treatment.

Final thoughts on black vaginal discharge

Any bleeding can result in a bloody discharge, ranging from pink to black, depending on how deoxygenated the blood becomes with age. But it’s not about how dark the blood is, but that you’re bleeding at all–from somewhere–that’s important. If you notice black vaginal discharge that isn’t related to your period, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional to identify your next steps.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

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