Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPregnancyBreastfeedingWeight Loss or GainStressBirth ControlHormonal ChangesMedical ConditionsPain MedicationWhat Is a Light Period?When to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Weight Loss or Gain
Stress
Birth Control
Hormonal Changes
Medical Conditions
Pain Medication
What Is a Light Period?
When to See a Provider
If your period is light, it’s usually due to natural period fluctuations. However, it can also happen with stress, weight changes, hormonal birth control, and some medical conditions. Lighter than normal period blood can be pink, red, or brownish. It may or may not involve cramps and period pain.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Pregnancyis the most likely cause of a change in menstrual cycles for those who are sexually active. Some people (up to 25%) may experience spotting or breakthrough bleeding in early pregnancy.
Implantation bleedingis often mistaken for a light period. Implantation is when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall.
Implantation bleeding:
Cervical bleedingis another potential cause of light bleeding during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the cervix is more sensitive and may bleed after intercourse.
If you suspect that you’re pregnant due to a lighter-than-normal period, take a pregnancy test, especially if you have not been using birth control. If you test negative, you can wait a week and test again or wait to see if your period comes next month.
If you have suddenly gained or lost a lot of weight, you may see a change in your menstrual cycle. If you’re underweight, the loss in fat can cause you to stop ovulating or releasing an egg every month.
Extreme exercise and dieting can also affect your periods, either making them irregular or stopping them completely. Without your period, your body produces less estrogen, a hormone that’s important for bone density and strength. This can lead to prematureosteoporosisor stress fractures. Having abnormal menstrual cycles can also cause infertility.
Emotional stress, such as the loss of a loved one, or major life stressors in work or your home life, can affect hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle. This can cause your period to be lighter, irregular, or stop completely.
Going on hormonal birth control can also cause achange in your period. It is not uncommon for people to experience lighter-than-usual periods and shorter periods while on a birth control pill or after getting a hormonal IUD, such asMirena.
If a change in your period bothers you, you can use a birth control method that closely mimics your normal periods. Hormone-free options that should not or are less likely to affect your periods are also available, including internal and external condoms, a non-hormonalIUD device, and spermicidal foams.
Ask a healthcare provider for advice on the method that is best for you.
During different stages of life, your period may become lighter as your hormones change. These include:
Certain medical conditions can lead to lighter periods. Your healthcare provider can help you determine if any of these conditions are causing your symptoms.
Thyroid Disorder
Sometimes, your period may be light due to athyroid disorder.The thyroid gland (and other endocrine system glands) help to regulate the menstrual cycle and can contribute to changes.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
People diagnosed withpolycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) also may experience lighter than normal periods due to the hormone-related disruptions PCOS typically has on the menstrual cycle.
Asherman’s Syndrome
There are other medical conditions, such as cervical stenosis orAsherman’s syndrome(uterine scars), that may cause a lighter flow than expected, though cramping may still occur. Both are uncommon, but these conditions can cause menstrual blood to get trapped in the uterus.
Cushing Syndrome
Cushing syndrome occurs when your body makes too much of the hormone cortisol. For females, this can cause irregular periods, or it can cause them to stop completely, although the reasons for this aren’t yet understood.
Consult with your healthcare provider if you have a lighter period than normal but are still having intense cramps.
Taking anonsteroidal anti-inflammatory druglike Advil (ibuprofen) can also reduce your period flow. That’s because Advil slows down the production of prostaglandin, a hormone that causes contractions in the uterus. This leads to less uterine shedding and decreased bleeding.
What Is Considered a Light Period Flow?
Some people may have lighter periods than the average, while others can have heavier periods. This can also change from one month to the next.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
One of the most important reasons to see a healthcare provider about a period that’s light is the possibility that you may be pregnant. You may opt for an at-home test first.
If your periods are consistently light but didn’t used to be, that’s a change in your menstrual cycle that needs to be evaluated. You also should see a provider if you have symptoms including:
Summary
Your period can be lighter than normal due to natural reasons, such as breastfeeding, weight gain, weight loss, stress, or perimenopause. It can also be lighter because of the birth control you are using, particularly if you are taking hormonal birth control pills or using a hormonal IUD. If your period seems off and you’re not sure why, let a healthcare provider know.
Tracking yourperiod symptomscan help. Consider downloading a period tracker app on your smartphone, or simply taking notes about your period in your calendar. This way, if something is unusual about your period one month, you’ll be more likely to notice.
17 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.
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