What Causes Itchiness And Brown Discharge?

Hi, yesterday I found brown stuff on my underwear and i didnt know what it was till i went online and found out that it was vaginal discharge. I want to know whether it is normal for it to be brown and for it to kind of irritate you and itch a little bit and if it is normal for it to sting a little when you urnie, and am i close to getting my period (i never got my period before)