Scanty periods can be a symptom of the disease, so when you have a tight and short period, you should look for the cause of this condition. A light period is more like spotting than menstruation, and a woman does not need more than two sanitary napkins a day. Find out what lean periods mean and how to treat it.
Skimpy menses(hypomenorrhoea) are menses that areshort(lasting 1-2 days) and lose just 30 ml of blood. Normally 50 to 150 ml of blood is lost during the period.A scanty and short periodmay occur in the first 2-3 years from the onset of the first menstruation, followed by the hormonal stabilization of the cycle. If, however, the amount of blood lost during menstruation was normal and it was only at some point that the period became scanty, look forthe cause ofthis condition.A little periodmay be the result of taking medications, a symptom of hormonal disorders or systemic diseases, and abnormalities of the reproductive organ.
To determine the real cause of very scanty periods, hormone levels, ultrasound and hysteroscopy should be performed.
Skimpy menstruation and pregnancy
The scanty bleeding at the time of menstruation may be related to pregnancy (including misplaced pregnancy). It happens that pregnant women have bleeding during their menstrual period. Therefore, bleeding does not rule out pregnancy, especially if the bleeding has a different, more meager course than previous periods.
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meager period with the contraceptive pills
A scanty period may occur in women who take birth control pills. Typical for hormonal contraception is scanty menstrual bleeding, much more typical than heavy bleeding. One of the mechanisms of hormonal contraceptive action is to inhibit the growth phase of the endometrium, as a result of which menstrual periods become sparse and brief. However, there is no need to worry - there are no studies to show that the light periods caused by contraceptives are a threat.women's he alth.
Scanty menstruation - hormonal disorders
The cause of scanty periods may be hormonal disorders associated with polycystic ovary syndrome. In addition to scanty and irregular (every 3-4 months) menstruation, there are unjustified weight gain (especially at the waist), severe acne - also on the chest, back, excessive hair on the face, thighs, buttocks and back. Usually, the therapy begins with a recommendation to lose excess weight, because adipose tissue - although to a small extent - produces hormones (including androgens). If a woman smokes, she should stop smoking because nicotine stimulates the body to produce more androgens. Hormone therapy may be necessary in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.
The cause of scanty periods may be a condition after excessive curettage of the uterine cavity after miscarriage or childbirth, leading to damage to the basal layer of the uterine mucosa and the formation of adhesions (Asherman's syndrome), chronic endometritis.
Ovarian cysts can also cause scanty periods, which can cause symptoms such as ovarian pain, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, pollakiuria, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Small cysts are usually not serious and do not require treatment. Large functional cysts are usually treated with a hormonal treatment (usually contraceptives) to restore the hormonal balance in the woman's body and eliminate the cysts. In some cases, immediate excision of the cyst may be necessary.
The scanty period may also be a symptom of hyperprolactinemia (the level of prolactin in the blood serum exceeding the norm). It is accompanied by recurrent headaches, malaise, irritability, and even depression, breast pain, obesity, skin problems, acne, and excessive hair growth.
According to an expertBarbara Grzechocińska, MD, PhD, obstetrician gynecologist, assistant professor at the 1st Department and Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Medical University of WarsawA scanty menstrual bleeding is only considered normal if you exclude other causes for which scanty bleeding is a symptom, such as: uterine inflammatory changes, certain thyroid diseases, and ovarian diseases with low hormone production , certain thyroid diseases, malnutrition, certain medications.
Scanty menstruation - diseases of the thyroid gland
Scant menstrual bleeding can be caused by a disease of the thyroid gland and its decompensated function, e.g. hypothyroidism - the hypothalamus and pituitary gland are stimulated to secrete so-called tropic hormones (stimulating the thyroid gland to producethyroxine) - TRH and TSH; The hypothalamic hormone (TRH) also stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete prolactin, leading to menstrual disorders in the form of scanty periods. On the other hand, hyperthyroidism - a high level of thyroid hormones leads to rapid weight loss despite good appetite and the associated disturbance of the hormonal function of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
Skimpy periods - excessive exercise
The cause of a scanty period may be prolonged, strenuous physical training. Increased and prolonged exercise disturbs the hormonal balance and the rhythm of a woman's cycle and can lead to meager periods.
scanty menstruation - weight deficiency
Too extreme approach to exercise can also result in another problem - weight deficiency. It is also a problem of women who are excessively slimming and suffering from anorexia. A large loss of body fat - due to anorexia, bulimia or a drastic weight loss diet - can lead to scanty periods and even missed periods.
According to an expertBarbara Grzechocińska, MD, PhD, obstetrician gynecologist, assistant professor at the 1st Department and Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Medical University of WarsawLean periods due to stress
Hello. I am 23 years old, I have always had regular and quite heavy periods. However, for about 4 months my periods have been very meager and lasted for about 3-4 days. Apart from that, there are no differences, the menstruation is just as painful and still regular. I would like to point out that in the last 5 months I experienced a lot of stress, I lost quite a lot for my already low weight, although I gained weight again. Can scanty bleeding be caused by stress? Any other medical condition? I know that I should go to a gynecology appointment and I am going to do so, but it is known that you cannot make an appointment overnight, so I am writing to you.
Dr. Barbara Grzechocińska, MD, gynecologist: Both stress and significant weight loss in a short period of time can be two independent causes of menstrual disorders, one of the symptoms of which may be irregular menstrual cycles and scanty bleeding.