Light Brown and Smelly

**lizzardb63** · 08-24-2010 08:51 AM

I just stopped taking birth control pills 2 weeks ago (after being on them for 6 months) because they were causing depression. I don’t expect my period for another week or 2 or for it to be totally regular (I’ve read it can be sorta weird after going off), but my boyfriend and I have been using condoms since I’ve gotten off of it. I had a tiny bit of spotting last week around Wednesday when I went to the bathroom and nothing after that (I figured this to be normal because of hormones and stuff settling). We had sex Friday night, all was fine. The next time we had sex was on Sunday night and once it was over, it smelled horrible. So I quick went to the bathroom to see what the deal was, and it was a tint of brown and smelled bad. Was this just old blood from being on the pill for 6 months? Should it smell? The next day (Monday) it was gone and haven’t had the problem since. I am just afraid to have sex again, because what if it happens again? I’ll be so embarrassed. So far it hasn’t happened since that night (today is Tuesday). Please help me understand this.

**lizzardb63** · 08-24-2010 08:52 AM

BTW- I am 25 years old, so periods are nothing new to me.

**ItsASecret** · 08-24-2010 09:22 AM

Brown is technically old blood and uterine lining without an amount of blood within it. The smell is the only thing you should watch as it can mean an infection, but again it is likely nothing major because they are treatable with minimal medication from your doctor.

**lizzardb63** · 08-24-2010 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by ItsASecret

Brown is technically old blood and uterine lining without an amount of blood within it. The smell is the only thing you should watch as it can mean an infection, but again it is likely nothing major because they are treatable with minimal medication from your doctor.

I am not sure if maybe by having sex it triggered this old blood because of natural lubrication, but does old blood smell? I haven't had any discharge since then and I normally don't anyway and nothing smells abnormal either. Hopefully next time this won't happen again. I am wondering if its just my hormones or something. Has anyone else noticed a smell to old blood?

**ItsASecret** · 08-24-2010 10:25 AM

Old blood can smell. The reason there would be a release of the old blood is because you are off the pill and your body is in adjustment mode so it will begin to shed the lining a bit in preparation for your period.