Light periods can be caused by hormonal changes, birth control pills, eating disorders, stress, and medical conditions such as autoimmune disorders, thyroid problems, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Hormonal changes during perimenopause can also lead to lighter periods.
There are many things that can cause a woman to have a light period. Among the most common are hormonal changes. These changes can include those that occur in the years leading up to menopause and those related to occasional fluctuations in a woman’s body. In some cases, birth control pills or eating disorders can also lead to lighter than normal periods. Also, a woman may have a lighter period due to stress, which can be physical or emotional in nature.
Hormonal changes are frequent causes of light menstrual periods. For example, a woman may experience significant hormonal changes during perimenopause, which is the stage of a woman’s life leading up to menopause. In many cases, a woman’s periods become irregular during this time, and the interval between periods can increase. A lighter flow often accompanies these changes, and eventually the woman stops menstruating altogether. Sometimes, however, the hormonal fluctuations that cause a lighter period are temporary in nature.
Birth control pills can also cause light periods. The interesting part about using birth control and vaginal bleeding is that many women incorrectly assume they are menstruating while taking birth control pills. In reality, however, birth control pills usually prevent ovulation and actual menstruation. When women bleed vaginally while taking the inactive pills in a birth control pack, they are usually experiencing withdrawal bleeding as a result of days without the hormones in birth control pills. This withdrawal bleed is often lighter than a normal menstrual period and may also be of shorter duration.
Sometimes eating disorders are to blame when a woman has light periods. Poor diet and extremely low body weight can interfere with the production of hormones needed for a normal menstrual cycle. The result could be a lighter than normal menstrual period. In fact, some people who struggle with eating disorders may miss their periods altogether. Athletes who push their bodies to extremes may also experience changes in their menstrual cycle.
In many cases, stress also contributes to light menstruation. Stress can interfere with the production and release of hormones that are essential for normal menstruation. This can cause a woman to have lighter periods, short periods, or irregular cycles. Both physical and emotional stress can have this effect.
There are also some medical conditions that can cause a woman to have light periods. For example, a woman may have a light period related to an autoimmune condition or problems with her thyroid gland. Also, a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome can cause lighter menstrual periods.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN