If Your Period Is Suddenly Way Lighter, It May Be Related To A Hormone Imbalance
Real talk: Periods can be unpredictable. Whether your period is suddenly shorter than normal, you got it twice in one month, or you're randomly spotting, it can be confusing when your cycle is different than usual. But what happens when Aunt Flo is a little shy and your period is particularly light?
First: "A 'normal' period typically lasts between two and seven days with a moderate to heavy flow of blood, which is generally considered to involve blood loss ranging from 30 to 40 milliliters—or about two tablespoons—over the entire menstrual period,” says Benjamin DiJoseph, DO, a board-certified ob-gyn and chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Inspira Medical Centers Elmer and Vineland. “The average menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days, counting from the first day of one period to the first day of the next,” he explains.
Practically speaking, this breaks down to roughly two to three pad or tampon changes per day, adds Sarah Ziebarth, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.
Meet the experts: Jill Purdie, MD, is a board-certified ob-gyn and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group. Benjamin DiJoseph, DO, is a board-certified ob-gyn and chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Inspira Medical Centers Elmer and Vineland. Sarah Ziebarth, MD, is a board-certified ob-gyn at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. Emily Brophy, MD, is a board-certified ob-gyn at Lehigh Valley Health Network.
That said, if your period is suddenly shorter in flow or duration compared to your usual menstrual pattern, it’s considered “light,” says Emily Brophy, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn at Lehigh Valley Health Network. It’s usually nothing to worry about, but if your periods become worrisome or you’re nervous about fertility issues, schedule a visit with your doctor, she adds. “You should always feel comfortable talking to your clinician about your menstrual cycle.”
9 Causes Of Light Periods
Wondering, "Why is my period so light?" and ready for an answer? Ahead, experts weigh in on the nine most common causes of light periods—and when it might be time to see your doctor.
1. You're really stressed out.
In case your stress wasn’t stressful enough, it can also mess with your period, says Dr. DiJoseph. “Elevated stress levels can disrupt the reproductive hormones’ normal function, affecting the menstrual cycle,” he explains. Under normal circumstances, your brain’s hypothalamus produces chemicals that trigger your pituitary gland to signal your ovaries to release estrogen and progesterone. But when there are high levels of stress, it increases the production of cortisol (your stress hormone), which can cause a disruption in the way your body normally functions and menstruates.
2. You're over-exercising.
“If the body does not maintain enough calories, ovulation may not occur, and if there is no ovulation, the period may be very light or not happen at all,” says Jill Purdie, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group in Atlanta, Georgia. This happens because intense exercise puts extra physical stress on the body which affects hormone production, explains Dr. DiJoseph. Working out is great, but if you’re exercising too much, it may make your period lighter.
3. You have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
PCOS is a genetic condition where women overproduce androgens, which are male hormones. This hormonal imbalance can cause irregular ovulation, resulting in lighter menstrual flow, says Dr. DiJoseph. Additional PCOS symptoms can include ovarian cysts, excessive hair growth, acne, obesity, and infertility, so always talk with your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis to help manage symptoms.
4. You're on hormonal birth control.
If you’re on birth control, certain contraceptives with low-dose hormones can cause lighter periods as a side effect, says Dr. DiJoseph. In particular, oral contraceptive pills with estrogen and progesterone and progestin IUD implants decrease the volume of menstrual blood, adds Dr. Ziebarth. This is because almost all hormonal birth control, including the pill, patch, ring, shot, implant, and hormonal IUDs, can cause the lining of the uterus to thin out—which results in a lighter menstrual flow, explains Dr. Purdie.
5. You have a thyroid disorder.
Conditions like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can influence hormonal balance and lead to lighter periods, says Dr. DiJoseph. The thyroid gland is regulated in the pituitary-hypothalamus axis of the brain, as are the hormones that regulate ovulation and menstruation. When one aspect of the axis is disturbed, this can affect another. If too many thyroid hormones are produced, they provide feedback to the hypothalamus to slow down production, which inhibits period regulating hormones. As a result, ovulation may be out of whack which can trigger a light or non-existent period, adds Dr. Purdie.
6. You have implantation bleeding.
Implantation bleeding occurs during the early part of pregnancy when the embryo attaches to the uterus, and it’s possible to bleed or spot a little when this happens, says Dr. Purdie. It’s not an official “period,” but if you’re spotting and there’s a chance you might be pregnant, consider taking a pregnancy test. Light bleeding can also be a sign of an abnormal pregnancy such as a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, so always talk with your doctor if you’re currently expecting and present symptoms, she adds.
7. You're underweight.
Being underweight can disrupt your hormonal balance which impacts the regularity and intensity of menstrual cycles, says Dr. DiJoseph. Rapidly losing weight can also cause irregularities in your period because your body fat levels become too low and prevent ovulation, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health.
8. You're in perimenopause.
You may experience lighter or less bleeding during perimenopause (the time before menopause) due to hormonal imbalances which can throw off or prevent ovulation, says Dr. Purdie. Perimenopause typically starts in a woman’s 40s, but can start as early as the 30s, and during this time you may have lighter cycles or no cycle at all, she adds. Additional symptoms of perimenopause include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, irritability, weight gain, and decreased sex drive.
9. You have Asherman syndrome.
Asherman syndrome is a rare condition that happens when scar tissue forms inside the uterus and/or cervix and can cause light periods, says Dr. Ziebarth. It most often occurs in women who have had multiple dilation and curettage (D&C) procedures, which are often used to empty the uterus following a miscarriage, as an abortion method, and to treat certain gynecological conditions. Women who have Asherman Syndrome tend to have light or shorter cycle because only the area of the uterus without scarring is capable of bleeding. So, the more scarring, the less bleeding will occur and the lighter the period.
What is considered a light period?
According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), a light period is when there is less than 5 milliliters of blood loss, says Dr. Purdie. “This is approximately one tablespoon or one saturated regular tampon or pad,” she explains. “People may also refer to their period as ‘light’ if it lasts for only a short amount of time, or roughly one to two days,” she adds.
A light period can also imply irregularity in duration (meaning you don’t get it every 28 days), and the time between each period extends beyond 35 days, adds Dr. Brophy.
If your period is light, your blood may also be darker, says Dr. Purdie. “The less blood flow present, the longer it takes the blood to go from the uterus to the outside. The longer it takes the blood to flow out, the darker the blood becomes,” she explains. You may also experience less cramping or discomfort than normal when your period is particularly light, adds Dr. DiJoseph.
Just remember that a “light period” is subjective and generally characterized by reduced menstrual flow and a shorter duration compared to your “usual” menstrual pattern, says Dr. DiJoseph. “It may involve lighter bleeding or spotting, and the overall volume of blood loss is lower than average.”
Potential Treatments For Light Periods
If your period is lighter than normal, don’t panic. Most people don’t require treatment, says Dr. Ziebarth. However, if you experience additional symptoms and/or the light bleeding becomes a pattern, talk to your doctor so they can diagnose the underlying cause, says Dr. Purdie.
From there, treatment may include adjusting hormonal contraception, weight management, stress reduction, or addressing thyroid disorders, says Dr. DiJoseph. In some cases, surgery may be required to correct uterine scarring, he adds.
When To See A Doctor For Light Periods
The occasional light bleeding is rarely something to worry about, but if it becomes a pattern or is accompanied by persistent pain, abnormal discharge, or extreme fatigue, it’s time to visit a doctor, says Dr. DiJoseph. Your physician will then perform a thorough physical exam and can determine the underlying cause and necessary treatment, he explains.
Periods that are irregular, unpredictable, and/or cause frequent or excessive bleeding also warrant a trip to the doc, says Dr. Ziebarth. And if you’re missing a cycle every month or consistently going more than 35 days between periods, it’s also best to check in with your provider, says Dr. Brophy.
Lastly, if you’re bleeding during pregnancy, consult with your doctor ASAP to rule out any complications, adds Dr. Purdie.
Frequently Asked Questions About Light Periods
If you have a light period, you probably have some burning questions. Here are some of the most common inquiries doctors get, and what to be on the lookout for if your periods are particularly light.
What is considered "too light" of a period?
Technically speaking, less than 5 milliliters of blood loss during the menstrual cycle is considered "too light,” which equates to roughly one saturated regular pad or tampon a day, says Dr. Purdie. Also, remember that what is “too light” or abnormal for one person, may be normal for another, adds Dr. DiJoseph.
Are light periods always a cause for concern?
Definitely not, says Dr. Ziebarth. “Light periods are often healthy and normal,” she explains. That said, persistent changes in your period or accompanying symptoms such as severe pain, abnormal discharge, or fatigue warrant a medical evaluation so you can rule out underlying conditions that might require attention, adds Dr. DiJoseph.
Can a light period mean you're pregnant?
Maybe. Approximately 25 percent of pregnant patients have spotting or light bleeding in the first trimester, but this is not an official “period,” says Dr. Ziebarth. Instead, light bleeding that occurs in early pregnancy may be a sign of implantation, or when the embryo attaches to the uterus, explains Dr. Purdie. However, if you already know you’re pregnant and experience light bleeding, talk with your doctor ASAP as it can also be a sign of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus), she adds.
You Might Also Like
