Brown Blood During Period: Causes & What to Watch For

Question
Hi. I am 22yrs old. No children (not sexualy active either) the first day of my last period was Feb 18th. Last day was March 1st.  It was slightly heavier than usual but still the normal color, length of time etc.  Yesterday however I thought I had started my period again...but instead of it being red (blood) it was actually brown. Not pinkish or dark reddish but actual brown. And there were thicker clots to not just discoloration of the toilet paper.  Is this normal or should I be concerned?  I had surgery when I was 15 for a cyst that grew on my right ovary and they took part of my fallopian tube out and therefore my periods only come every 4-6months but they said this was normal. So any advice or anything I should be concerned about?  

Answer
A brownish discharge is usually due to "old" blood that is being released from the uterus (from a prior period). It is insignificant unless there is a foul smell to it or it causes intense itching. Your surgery for the cyst at age 15 did not cause you to have periods that come only every 4-6 months. As long as you have even a remnant of one ovary, you should get a period every month. (If they took your right ovary out, you may not ovulate every month, but you should still get your period). I would suggest that you make an appointment with a gynecologist and discuss regulating your cycle using birth control pills. It will be healthier for you to get a period every month.