Is it possible to have an extremely light period

No ovulation means no period. During the week of placebo pills containing no hormones a woman experiences breakthrough bleeding while the uterine lining sheds. These are some other side effects of hormonal birth control:. Living with stress impacts all aspects of mental and physical health. Is it any surprise it also impacts the menstrual cycle? A study of stress and menstrual problems in health science students found a correlation between how stressed the women felt and their experience of abnormal bleeding and irregular periods.

Stress may also cause functional hypothalamic amenorrhea FHA , affecting about FHA disrupts interaction between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries. Suppression of several hormones in this system leads to low estrogen levels and prevents thickening of the uterine lining.

FHA may produce no bothersome symptoms beyond stopping periods, but the hormone disruption can cause long term problems. When women spend more energy exercising than they take in through diet, reproductive, bone, and cardiovascular health can suffer. This phenomenon has been recognized in participants of sports that emphasize smaller body size, lean body composition, and endurance think ballet, long distance running, gymnastics, and swimming.

Not just elite athletes are at risk, though. Any woman who significantly increases her energy expenditure can notice menstrual changes such as lighter periods.

Polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS affects 5 to 10 percent of women of reproductive age. PCOS is named for the bumpy cysts covering the ovaries. High levels of androgens reproductive hormones that are usually higher in males prevent ovulation. If you have a history of unpredictable periods along with these other symptoms, ask your doctor about PCOS:.

Symptoms of PCOS can be treated with hormonal birth control, insulin-sensitizing drugs, and anti-androgens. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. One concern, in particular, that is often seen at the gynecologist's office is an unusually light period. We asked gynecologists Dr. Alyssa Dweck and Dr.

Sara Twogood to explain some of the reasons a period might be or become extremely light. Read on for what they had to say. Meet the Expert. Many of the causes are very common and totally normal, whereas a few rarer ones may require further investigation. In such instances, usually, a light period is no cause for alarm.

Whether we realize it or not, diet, exercise, and even our thyroid function can lead to lighter periods. However, people may mistake implantation bleeding for a light period. Implantation bleeding is an early sign of pregnancy.

When someone is sexually active and does not usually have light periods, they may wish to take a pregnancy test. When people start taking birth control pills, they may notice their periods get lighter and lighter.

This reduction in blood flow may be because the hormone dosages in birth control pills are low and do not stimulate the uterus to build up a thick lining. As a result, a woman may have a light period because there is minimal uterine lining to shed. This may also occur in people using the hormonal IUD, contraceptive implant, or injection, as these cause thinning of the uterine lining. People may experience some initial spotting between periods as the hormones start to help regulate their periods.

In certain cases, a doctor may recommend that someone with light periods takes birth control to help regulate their cycle. Sometimes people with no known risk factors can have light periods. However, some factors make light periods more likely. People may want to talk to their doctor about individual risk factors that may affect the severity of their periods. Having a light period is not usually cause for concern.

However, if someone has consistently light periods or starts skipping periods altogether, they should talk to their doctor. A person should also see a doctor if a light period coincides with other symptoms that are causing concern, such as pelvic pain. Yep, we've been there.

Not all periods were created equal, it seems, and ain't that the truth. Some women get consistently light bleeds , while others are blessed with heavy periods month after month.

An assortment, it seems, are treated to a right royal mix up. That is, light some months and heavy some others. Some skip bleeds altogether but more on that, later. Being the ever-curious creatures we are, we wanted to know why, exactly, women get light periods, and when it's time to worry. So what is the definition of a 'light' period?

A light period is usually defined as losing less than 30 to 35mL blood during your period. Still want to know why your period might be so light this month? Sit tight - we've asked doctor Datta and GP doctor Tatiana Lapa to explain why, exactly, a woman has a particularly light period at certain times. It turns out there are various factors which contribute to your monthly cycle. Lapa explains: "Stress can block the release of hormones that are necessary for normal menstrual periods.