Lighter Periods Than Usual

In females, the period is the regular discharge of mucosal tissue and blood from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina. It is triggered by falling progesterone levels and is an indicator that pregnancy has not occurred.

A light period or a period that stops before you expect might happen for a variety of reasons. Light periods might not be a sign that you have something to worry about. Even a period as short as 2 to 3 days is considered normal. Changes in medication, age or weight can impact your period. 

A missed period or spotting might indicate a pregnancy or an underlying medical condition. In such a case, you can take a pregnancy test. Keep track of your menstrual cycles and consult your doctor. 

What are the Symptoms of Less Bleeding During Periods?

About 2-3 teaspoons of blood make up the majority of menstrual cycles. It might be very challenging to estimate how much blood a person is losing because there is a large difference across individuals.

A person should make a note if their periods are lighter than they normally are. They can accomplish this by monitoring their pad or tampon usage or the amount of blood a menstrual cup gathers.

The following might indicate a light period:

• bleeding that looks like spotting over several days as opposed to a constant flow
• No typical heavy flow for the first 1–2 days but a consistent, light flow
• Fewer tampon or pad changes than usual
• A period that is shorter than normal for the individual

Sometimes, a light period might also cause a reduction in symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, like mood shifts, uterine cramping or reduced back pain. 

What Are the Causes of Less Bleeding During Periods?

Several factors can lead to light periods. These include:

• Age:

Your period can vary in flow and length if you are in your teenage years. On the other hand, if you are going through menopause, you can have irregular, light-flowing periods. Hormonal imbalances are the cause of these events.

• Diet and Weight:

Body fat percentage and body weight can affect your period. Because your hormones are not functioning regularly, being extremely underweight might cause your menstruation to become irregular. Additionally, gaining or losing an extreme amount of weight can cause irregularities with your period.

• Pregnancy:

It is unlikely that you will have a period if you are pregnant. You might notice some spotting and think it is your period, but it might be implantation bleeding. This can occur when a fertilised egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Implantation bleeding typically lasts for 2 days or less.

• Breastfeeding:

Your periods might not come back immediately after you give birth if you are breastfeeding. The milk hormone delays the onset of your menstruation and inhibits ovulation. You might get your period months after giving birth if you are breastfeeding.

Even if your period hasn’t yet come back, you can still become pregnant while breastfeeding. That is because you will ovulate 2 weeks before your first postnatal period. If you have had unprotected sex while breastfeeding and are experiencing spotting, it is a good idea to take a pregnancy test to confirm that the spotting was not caused by implantation bleeding. 

• Birth control:

Hormonal birth control might be the cause of a light period. Some methods of birth control stop an egg from releasing into your body. These techniques can take many different shapes, including:

• Shot
• Ring
• Patch
• Pill

Your uterus does not create a thick lining when your body does not release an egg. This may lead to missing periods or periods that are completely lighter.

You might also experience irregular periods if you have stopped or started taking birth control recently.

• Stress:

Your brain can alter the menstrual cycle hormones if you are stressed. You might experience lighter or skipped periods because of it. Your periods should return to normal once a stressful event passes.

• Over-exercising:

Women who exercise frequently might experience changes in their period. Athletes use a lot of body energy, have low body weight and can be under stress. This can result in altered periods. 

• Eating disorders:

Bulimia and anorexia nervosa are types of eating disorders that might cause irregular periods. Eating disorders that result in low body weight may have an impact on the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle. 

• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome):

If you have stopped menstruating or you are experiencing irregular periods, it could be the result of PCOS. Your body experiences a hormonal alteration as a result of which your eggs cease developing. This hormonal change might also:

• Lead to infertility
• Cause facial hair to grow
• Cause acne
• This leads to obesity and changes your weight 

An ultrasound can be used by your doctor to determine if you have PCOS. That is because PCOS causes cysts to form in your ovaries. If you have PCOS, your doctor will likely recommend that you take contraceptive pills and lose weight to help your period return to normal. 

You Can Also Read: Living with PCOS 

• Serious medical conditions

Irregular or unusual periods might be a sign of a more serious health condition. Your body is in good shape if you get regular periods. A light period could indicate a medical illness or issues with hormone levels. Issues with reproductive organs and polycystic ovary syndrome can lead to irregular periods.

Discussing symptoms with your doctor might help you determine the cause of lighter-than-normal periods.

What are the Risk Factors for Less Bleeding During Periods?

Sometimes, people with no known risk factors can have light periods. Light periods are, nevertheless, more likely due to specific circumstances.

The following are some potential risk factors for a light period:

• PCOS – Certain reproductive conditions, such as PCOS, can affect menstrual flow and hormone levels.

• Stress – High amounts of stress might have an impact on a person’s hormone levels.

• Breastfeeding – This natural process might lead to lighter periods when they do restart or delay the return of periods after childbirth.
• Age – Young people tend to have lighter periods.

A person might wish to talk with a doctor about individual risk factors that might affect the severity of their periods.

What is the Treatment for Less Bleeding During Periods?

Your light period might be caused by one of many factors. It might be a one-time occurrence. If you experience any troubling symptoms or your light periods persist, you might need further treatment.

Your doctor will discuss possible reasons for your light periods and test you for various conditions to determine an appropriate treatment plan. 

Problematic and persistent light periods might be treated with changes to your medications and lifestyle. Hormonal birth control might occasionally make your periods more regular. Treatment options might include further therapies or other drugs if your light periods are an indication of anything more serious. 

Conclusion

Less bleeding during your periods may have several reasons. It usually is not a sign of something worrying, however, if you suspect a missed period or spotting as a symptom of an underlying medical condition, then it is always advisable to seek medical help from an experienced gynaecologist. Timely care and help can ensure an appropriate diagnosis and treatment of your condition. 

At the CK Birla Hospital, we ensure patients get holistic medical support which includes treatment in a compassionate and judgement-free environment. This patient-centric approach not only helps patients heal better but also ensures they are aware of the preventive measures as well. In case you need to consult a gynaecologist, reach out to us, or book a direct appointment with Dr. Astha Dayal at the CK Birla Hospital.

FAQs

Can I Get Pregnant With Light Periods?

Light periods can be a sign of pregnancy.  Spotting in early pregnancy is often caused by implantation bleeding, which might just seem like a light period. Lighter than normal period blood can be brownish, red or pink. It may or may not involve period pain and cramps. 

Which Hormone Causes Light Periods?

Light periods may also result from a drop in oestrogen levels. Oestrogen plumps up the endometrium, so if oestrogen is low, that lining does not plump up and results in less bleeding.