Menstrual periods can be different in women depending on hormonal fluctuations, genetic factors, type of contraception, hormonal dysfunctions, reproductive history and more. Sometimes women could experience unusual light periods which could be confusing. Menstrual periods can be considered light in cases of unusually light flow or in cases of very short duration of blood loss. Normal duration of menstruation is 3-7 days and amount of blood lost during one menstrual period ranges from 20 to 80 ml. Blood loss of less than 20 ml can be considered as light period. Many women consider light period as a sign of possible pregnancy but light period causes could be very different at certain period of reproductive life and various factors could contribute to period lightening.
In most cases light periods are triggered by shift or imbalance in levels of female hormones. During critical periods of reproductive life (puberty, premenopause, menopause) women also could have light periods. Hormonal dysfunctions (polycystic ovaries, thyroid disturbances, premature ovarian failure) can also cause light and short periods. Extensive exercises and abnormal diets can also trigger light periods. Some hormonal contraception, including birth control pills, suppresses hormones and leads to light periods.
In general, one time light menstrual periods is not a subject for alarm but repeated on-going light periods could be a symptom of several health conditions.
Light period causes – stress
Unfortunately modern life is full of stresses. Female body is very sensitive to any king of stress (acute or chronic, short or long-term, positive or negative, emotional or physical). Stress can reduce levels of hormones responsible for normal menstrual cycle and normal menstrual period. Decreased levels of hormones could lead to light periods.
Light period causes – weight fluctuations
Nowadays women try to look like famous models but bodies are different with different metabolic rates and different genetic indicators. Most important point is to follow healthy diet and healthy lifestyle. But many women abuse their own body with dangerous diets, abnormal fasting and experimental drugs. Dramatic loss of weight can interfere with production of female hormones, which can lead to light menstrual periods.
Similar menstrual abnormalities can be observed also during valuable increase of body weight and Body Mass Index which can lead to hormonal dysfunctions and light menstrual periods.
Only healthy balanced diet can be a solution for above mentioned cases with dramatic weight fluctuations.
Light period causes – aging
Women reproductive life is limited and after 40-45 most healthy women experience naturally occurring cessation of menstrual periods – it is a time of the end of women’s reproductive function and reproductive years. After 40-45, ovaries begin to show their age by changing hormone production – women experience reduced estrogen production, absence of egg maturation and discontinuation of menstrual periods. Ovarian aging timing can be different for each woman depending on stress, hormones, lifestyle, contraception methods, genetic factors and family history. During mentioned transition period (perimenopause) women could have light periods.
Light period causes
Light period causes – birth control pills
Light menstrual periods are common during contraception with birth control pills which reduce hormone production, prevent ovulation and following thick lining of uterus. It can result in light periods and even missed period.
Light period causes – hormonal dysfunctions
Polycystic ovaries PCOS), thyroid disturbances, premature ovarian failure and other hormonal dysfunctions could be responsible for light periods. In general, any hormonal disturbances which reduce estrogen production could lead to irregular late (oligomenorrhea) and light menstrual periods.
Light period causes – Asherman syndrome
Asherman syndrome is pretty rare condition – it is the formation of scar tissue inside of uterus (scars in uterine cavity). This condition can be a result of surgical interventions or severe infections. In most cases, Asherman syndrome occurs in women who experienced several routine dilations and uterine curettage. Severe pelvic infections (tuberculosis or schistosomiasis) can also form intrauterine adhesion and lead to Asherman syndrome. Uterine internal scars create problems for uterine cyclic lining development and it can lead to light periods.
Light period causes – cervical stenosis
Sometimes women could have cervical stenosis – when cervix narrows or closes up completely. As a result, menstrual blood stays trapped in the uterus and only able to come out through narrowed cervix. It could cause pelvic pain (bad cramping) and ligh menstrual flow.
Light period causes – pregnancy
Although most women stop getting periods once they conceive, some could experience light period. During first few weeks of pregnancy, particularly around the same time that a period would have occurred, some women experience light bleeding (“light period”). Actually it is so called decidual bleeding which could appear during very early pregnancy and cannot be considered as a period.
Unexpected light period could also indicate ectopic pregnancy (dangerous condition) which needs emergency health care.
Light period long-term possible complications
Light period main causes should be identified and adequate treatment should be provided. Failure to seek treatment can then result in serious complications and permanent damages such as:
- Reduced fertility or infertility,
- Osteopenia or osteoporosis,
- Severe health conditions with discomfort and pain.
The post Light period causes appeared first on Women Health Info Blog.