What does it mean if AF is brown ?

Ages ago my friend said that it was really bad sign if blood from AF starts of brown in color it's not good, but I didn't ask why and any searches come up with nothing so could anybody possibly shed some light ?

From what I understand (and Im no expert!!!) Is that brown blood is simpy older blood, or come from further inside.
Blood turns that brown colour as it oxidises (comes into contact with oxygen in the air).
Is the blood brown as it is actually 'coming out" or is it just when you remove the tampon or on the pad? Which are you using? How long do you use p or t for before changing it?
The blood is often brown at the end of your menstruation as the flow slows and slower expulsion happens...iykwim.
If it is constantly brown, immediately brown, if you are worried see a doctor, but it shouldnt automatically mean anything worng, it is quite normal.
For example, tmi here, but if you use a pad, you may be able to see that the older blood that has been absorbed into the pad is brown whilst the stuff still on top is of a much brighter colour.

So maybe if you have a light or slow flow then it may be browner to begin with. Again if you are really worried, go and see a doctor...and ask them directly, possibly when you have your period to show them what you are talking about.

HTH :)

Hey thanks for the reply. Yeah I noticed that when I first get my period there will be practically nothing on the pad (I only use pads) but when I wipe it has a brown color rather than red. The next day the pad will be stained (only slightly) with red and by the third day I have full red flow. ( :redface: Sooo sorry if TMI)
I asked my friend and she said that she thought that if AF is brown, then that's a sign of miscarriage? But I only have brown to begin with and then it's red. I ended up finding some info, and the suggestion is that brown at the beginning and at the end is normal for a lot of women.

In my opinion I'm pretty sure that's normal. My period is exactly like that and has been like that for as long as I can remember (am 34)....probably especially more since I've lost 20kg and become healthier and fitter. Starts off a day or two of light brown, heavy flow of red for 2-3 days and then back to brown for a day or two.

For as long as I can remember I had brown spotting before AF was due. I had started to think I had a progesterone problem as I'd read on the net that brown spotting can be caused by low progesterone. It turned out that I wasn't low in it at all, it was just normal for me.

As for m/c - one of my m/c's was brown spotting for two weeks but the other two started with red spotting. You'll probably find there isn't a problem, it's just the way your cycle is.