Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Oligomenorrheais infrequent or unusually light bleeding during your menstrual periods. Specifically, it refers to a menstrual cycle that lasts longer than 35 days or when you have fewer than nine periods in a year.
There are several causes of oligomenorrhea, some of which are harmless. In fact, light menstrual periods may be totally normal for you. However, in some instances, oligomenorrhea can be a sign of a more serious health condition.
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Missing a period or occasionalirregularity of the menstrual cycleis not uncommon and is not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. Some variation in a person’s menstrual cycle throughout their life is normal.
The symptoms of oligomenorrhea include:
When the different bleeding happens, you may have other symptoms of your period, such aspremenstrual syndrome, cramps, and bloating. You may have no other symptoms at all.
The blood may be dark brown, red, or a faint light pink color. You may notice clots or mucus when you wipe, on a pad or tampon, or in your underwear.
In a regular menstrual cycle, hormonal changes signal the lining of the uterus to build up each month in preparation for a fertilized egg. Of course, an egg does not always find its way to the uterus. When the lining is not needed, the tissue sloughs off, passes through the cervix and into the vagina, where it can then leave the body in the form of a period.
This process happens every month or so, though thenormal variation in menstrual cyclelength can be slightly longer or shorter than 28 days.
It’s more important to pay attention to is what is “normal” for you and make note of any major change.
For example, you might typically get a period every 30 days. Then, they start coming less frequently: every 35, 40, or more days. They may also be lighter than usual. In some cases, your period may be heavier, especially if it’s occurring at less frequent intervals. This may be because ovulation isn’t occurring and the uterine lining builds up more than it should.
Unless a person is controlling their cycle with hormonal birth control, their normal menstrual cycle may vary in length from month to month.
Menarche and Perimenopause
When a young person first begins having menstrual cycles, it can take several years for periods to establish a regular pattern.In the beginning, erratic bleeding and periods that are heavier or lighter than the previous month’s are not unusual. As time goes on, hormones usually stabilize.
Changes in the menstrual cycle can also happen when a person is enteringperimenopause.The hormonal changes taking place to facilitate this transition often lead to periods that come sooner or later than expected, varying in duration and heaviness, until they finally stop altogether.
What Is Perimenopause?
Life Changes
Changes to your lifestyle, such as going on vacation, having stress at work, or losing a lot of weight, can also affect your period. Being malnourished can cause your periods to become erratic and they may even stop (amenorrhea). People with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa who become severely underweight often stop having a menstrual cycle.
Intense Exercise
People who exercise or train intensely for a sport can also experience changes to their menstrual cycle. Some elite athletes have very light periods or no period at all due to the intensity of their training.
Being Overweight
On the other end, beingoverweight or obesecan also affect your cycle. Estrogen, a key hormone for regulating menstruation, is found in body fat. Having more body fat increases your estrogen levels, which can impact the menstrual cycle.
Certain Medications
Certain medications, especiallyhormonal birth control, can majorly change a person’s menstrual cycle. Taking birth control pills or getting shots like Depo-Provera, using a patch or ring, or having an IUD or implant (Nexplanon) inserted can lead to period changes.
In some people, periods may become more frequent and heavier, but you may also experience the light, infrequent periods that define oligomenorrhea.
If you use birth control irregularly or change methods frequently, it can cause abnormal or unpredictable bleeding.
This will usually get better when you start consistently using a form of birth control that works well for you.
While it can cause unwanted changes and side effects, hormonal birth control is often used to treat problems with the menstrual cycle. Some people who menstruate may choose to use continuous forms of hormonal birth control to reduce the duration or frequency of their periods or suppress them altogether.
Other medications that can impact the menstrual cycle include:
Underlying Health Conditions
Oligomenorrhea can be a sign of several underlying health conditions, including:
You may need to see a specialist in reproductive health, called an obstetrician/gynecologist (OBGYN). They will ask you more in-depth questions and may do an exam.
An OBGYN will talk to about your symptoms and may ask you questions about your sexual history as well as any pregnancies and births you’ve had. You may be asked about other health conditions or surgeries you’ve had, as well as any medications and supplements you take.
Tell your healthcare provider as many specific details about the bleeding as you can, including how long it lasts and how heavy it is. They can use this information to figure out what’s causing it.
Your healthcare provider may perform apelvic exam, which includes an internal visual exam using a speculum. This helps your OBGYN see inside your vagina, up to your cervix. They may use a swab that looks like a long Q-tip to take a sample which can be tested for infection.
They may also choose to do a rectovaginal exam, which can help them feel for any abnormalities they can’t see on an exam. Using a lubricated, gloved, finger they will gently feel inside your rectum and vagina. You may experience some brief discomfort or feel embarrassed, but the exam will be over quickly.
In addition, your healthcare provider will typically check for signs of other medical conditions that may be causing a hormone imbalance. This may include:
If at any point during these exams you are in pain or feel uncomfortable (physically or emotionally) tell your healthcare provider or the nurse right away. You can ask to pause and take a break or stop the exam altogether at any time.
Tests
If your healthcare provider isn’t sure what is causing the change in your periods they will want to order some other types of tests, including a pregnancy test. The first tests they try will usually be less invasive and gradually become more involved if they feel a more thorough investigation is needed.
To start, you may need to provide a blood or urine sample. These can be tested for a number of conditions that can cause menstrual irregularities.
Other tests your healthcare provider may order to diagnose the cause of oligomenorrhea include:
Your healthcare provider may also use imaging tests to look at your reproductive organs, including:
Once your healthcare provider figures out what is causing you to have oligomenorrhea, they will discuss treatment options with you.
Which treatment is right for you will depend on the cause as well as your overall health. Some types of treatments may not be right for you even if they work well for other people.
For example, while hormonal birth control can be used in many people to treat menstrual problems, if you have a history ofblood clots,migraineswith aura,high blood pressure, or other health conditions, ones that contain estrogen would not be safe for you to use.
Lifestyle Changes
If oligomenorrhea is related to something in your lifestyle, such as your weight, exercise routine, or stress levels, your healthcare provider can help you get the resources and support you need to make changes. You may find that the problems with your period get better on their own after you return from a vacation, start a new work schedule, or gain weight if you are underweight.
Birth Control or Hormone Therapy
If you have certain conditions that respond to hormones, your healthcare provider might ask you about trying different types of birth control to manage your periods.You can use these medications even if you are not sexually active or have never had sex.
There are many different options, includingpills, patches, rings, IUDs, and the arm implant (Nexplanon). Your healthcare provider can help you decide which one is right for you. You may need to try more than one method to find one that helps your symptoms. With hormonal birth control, you also need to give your body time to adjust to a method before deciding it doesn’t work—this may mean several months.
Another type of hormone therapy your healthcare provider may prescribe isgonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH) agonists.However, you should know that these medications are not meant to be used long-term and also have side effects. Your healthcare provider will help you decide if the risks outweigh the benefits.
Treating Underlying Health Conditions
If you are diagnosed with asexually transmitted infection,you may be given antibiotics to treat it.It’s important that you tell any sexual partners you’ve had about your diagnosis so they can be tested and treated as well. While you are being treated, you’ll want to abstain from having sex of any kind to prevent the spread of the infection. When you resume having sex, be sure that you consistently practice safer sexual practices.
If you are experiencing oligomenorrhea as a result of another health condition, you may need to see a different type of healthcare provider to ensure it is treated. Different healthcare providers specialize in treating different parts of the body. Depending on the underlying disease or condition you have, a healthcare provider (or team of healthcare providers) can help you manage it.
For example, if you are diagnosed with a thyroid condition, your primary healthcare provider or anendocrinologistcan help you find the right medication for treating it. Once your condition is being managed, you will likely notice symptoms such as oligomenorrhea begin to resolve.
While it’s less common, you may also be diagnosed with a more serious condition. Benign and cancerous tumors of the reproductive system can cause oligomenorrhea and often need to be treated with specialized surgery.
If you are diagnosed with cancer, you may need to have other treatments as well, including radiation and chemotherapy. In some cases, your healthcare providers may recommend that you have your ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and/or cervix removed (partial or completehysterectomy). If your ovaries and uterus are completely removed, you will no longer have a menstrual cycle.
A Word From Verywell
There are many causes of oligomenorrhea, including health conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors like weight and stress. Some of these causes are only temporary and may resolve on their own. However, other more serious causes, including several types of reproductive cancer, need early diagnosis and treatment.
The treatment for oligomenorrhea will depend on what’s causing it as well as a person’s individual state of health, preferences, and needs. Your healthcare provider will help you make an informed decision about treating anymenstrual irregularitiesyou experience.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Riaz Y, Parekh U.Oligomenorrhea. In: StatPearls [Internet].Rebar R.Evaluation of amenorrhea, anovulation, and abnormal bleeding. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., editors. Endotext. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.Davis E, Sparzak PB.Abnormal uterine bleeding (dysfunctional uterine bleeding)In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Magnon N.Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists: Expanding vistas.Indian Journal Endocrinology Metabolism. 2011 Oct-Dec;15(4):261-267. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.85575Additional ReadingEncyclopedia of Children’s Health.Oligomenorrhea.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Riaz Y, Parekh U.Oligomenorrhea. In: StatPearls [Internet].Rebar R.Evaluation of amenorrhea, anovulation, and abnormal bleeding. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., editors. Endotext. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.Davis E, Sparzak PB.Abnormal uterine bleeding (dysfunctional uterine bleeding)In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Magnon N.Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists: Expanding vistas.Indian Journal Endocrinology Metabolism. 2011 Oct-Dec;15(4):261-267. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.85575Additional ReadingEncyclopedia of Children’s Health.Oligomenorrhea.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Riaz Y, Parekh U.Oligomenorrhea. In: StatPearls [Internet].Rebar R.Evaluation of amenorrhea, anovulation, and abnormal bleeding. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., editors. Endotext. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.Davis E, Sparzak PB.Abnormal uterine bleeding (dysfunctional uterine bleeding)In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Magnon N.Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists: Expanding vistas.Indian Journal Endocrinology Metabolism. 2011 Oct-Dec;15(4):261-267. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.85575
Riaz Y, Parekh U.Oligomenorrhea. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Rebar R.Evaluation of amenorrhea, anovulation, and abnormal bleeding. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., editors. Endotext. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Davis E, Sparzak PB.Abnormal uterine bleeding (dysfunctional uterine bleeding)In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Magnon N.Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists: Expanding vistas.Indian Journal Endocrinology Metabolism. 2011 Oct-Dec;15(4):261-267. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.85575
Encyclopedia of Children’s Health.Oligomenorrhea.
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