This article was medically reviewed by Angela Chaudhari, M. When most of us complain about our periods , we kvetch about those heavy flow days and the bloating , cramping, and exhaustion that can go along with them. So if you have a light period, a. An unusually heavy period can also be cause for concern. While most periods produce between 30 to 50 milliliters of blood, a person with hypomenorrhea makes substantially less than 30 milliliters per cycle, according to the book Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations.
Lina Akopians, M. That said, here are the top reasons that might explain why your flow is so light. Unusually light periods or spotting could also indicate an ectopic pregnancy when an egg implants somewhere other than the uterus , which can be very dangerous. When in doubt, take a pregnancy test. Fluctuating weight can mess with your menstrual cycle, making your periods a lot shorter or lighter. In a similar way, losing weight from restricting calories can put your body into stress mode and create an imbalance of hormones.
However, your period can change over time and because of different circumstances. For example, if you are pregnant, you will not experience a period because the lining will not detach. Every woman and period is different, so your period may come like clockwork or be more unpredictable.
Remember that you may experience an unusual period for no particular reason, but you should still let your doctor know. They can help determine any underlying causes that may be affecting your menstrual cycle and vaginal bleeding.
Your period can vary in length and flow if you are in your teenage years. On the flip side, if you are in menopause , you may experience irregular periods that are light in flow. These occurrences are the result of hormonal imbalances. Body weight and body fat percentage can affect your period.
Being extremely underweight can cause your period to become irregular because your hormones are not working normally. Additionally, losing or gaining an extreme amount of weight can cause irregularities with your period.
If you are pregnant, it is unlikely that you will have a period. This can occur when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Implantation bleeding usually lasts for two days or less. Learn more: Early pregnancy symptoms no one tells you about ». If you are breast-feeding, your periods may not come back immediately after you give birth.
The milk production hormone prevents ovulation and delays your period from returning. You may get your period months after giving birth if you are breast-feeding. You can still get pregnant while breast-feeding, even if your period has not yet returned. Hormonal birth control may be the cause of a light period.
As you approach your mids to early 40s, your ovaries begin to show their age and one of these symptoms could be lighter than usual periods. Lapa says: "At this age you have fewer functional eggs, and subsequently you may have less estrogen.
Your ovaries will officially stop working somewhere in your 50s - with the average age of menopause defined as your very last period is between 51 and 52 years old.
One of the most common reasons for having a lighter period is going on the birth control pill , with some doctors prescribing it to women with heavy, painful periods. Lapa explains: "Some birth control methods prevent an egg from releasing in your body. Not only does the pill mean lighter periods, but many women experience less severe cramps and more regular periods, which is often a welcome change. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS , is a fairly common condition in which ovaries become enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs which surround the egg.
Lapa says: "When you have polycystic ovaries, the imbalance of hormones can lead to irregular periods, including painful and heavy bleeds, shorter or lighter than usual periods. You'll have been told this when undergoing your procedure, but doctor Datta warns that if you've had any work on your womb or cervix recently, it could certainly affect your monthly bleed, even if only subtly.
You may expect a lighter flow for a few months. As always, do visit your doctor if you're worried at all. Similarly to under eating, if you're undertaking a significant amount of exercise - that's anything upwards of six workouts a week - you could be putting your body under too much strain and stress, doctor Datta warns. Both emotional and physical stresses can affect your cycle, therefore vigorous exercise can impact your period. While exercise is good for you, it's the same as everything in life: enjoyed in moderation.
Sometimes people with no known risk factors can have light periods. However, some factors make light periods more likely. People may want to talk to their doctor about individual risk factors that may affect the severity of their periods. Having a light period is not usually cause for concern. However, if someone has consistently light periods or starts skipping periods altogether, they should talk to their doctor. A person should also see a doctor if a light period coincides with other symptoms that are causing concern, such as pelvic pain.
Many different factors can cause a light period, such as diet, exercise, birth control pills, or health conditions. What is most important is that people listen to their bodies. If someone is concerned about the duration of their menstrual blood flow, they should talk to their doctor for clarification and reassurance.
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