You may be pre-menopausal. This does not mean you are no longer fertile, it means you are a little less likely to get pregnant. Birth control should still be a consideration until menopause. There are medical conditions, such as cervical stenosis or Asherman's syndrome , that may cause a lighter flow than expected, however, the cramping may still occur.
For example, cervical stenosis is uncommon, but it can cause menstrual blood to get trapped in the uterus. Consult with your healthcare provider if you have a light flow and experience intense cramps.
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If your light periods persist or you experience any troubling symptoms, you may need further treatment. Your doctor will discuss possible reasons for your light periods and test you for various conditions to determine an appropriate treatment plan. Persistent and problematic light periods may be treated with changes to your lifestyle and medications.
Sometimes, the use of hormonal birth control can help your periods become more regular. If your light periods are a sign of something more serious, treatment may include other medications or other interventions. Light periods may not be a sign that you have something to worry about. Even a period as short as two to three days is considered normal.
If you have missed a period or experienced light spotting and think you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test. Make sure to track your light periods and talk to your doctor. Spotting is lighter than a period and may indicate that you have an underlying condition. Call your doctor if you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding. There are many reasons for wanting to skip your monthly period, including convenience and menstrual cramps.
Learn about skipping your period on birth…. The birth control pill introduces different hormones into your system. Learn how this may affect your menstrual cycle. Learn ways to manage the birth control shot side effect of irregular bleeding and when you should see a doctor.
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Risk factors. Signs and symptoms of PCOS generally present in your teens or twenties, with irregular periods, difficulty getting pregnant, excessive hair growth, weight gain and oily skin. If your periods suddenly become lighter and you think you may be pregnant, the only way to be sure is to take a pregnancy test.
If the light bleeding is due to implantation, taking the test from days after the start of the bleeding may show a positive result depending on the sensitivity of the urine test and the amount of hormones present in the body. But if the test is negative, it may still be too early, so wait another week and test again.
Every woman is different and while for some the pregnancy test may be positive on the first day of your missed period, for others it may not be positive until up to one month after. Sometimes this may be due to temporary disregulation in the menstrual cycle, such as during periods of stress. However, you should see a doctor if you have persistent irregular periods where there is a lasting change in the pattern of menstruation , severe lower abdominal pain, or any other unusual symptoms such as excessive hair growth or weight loss, because these could be indicative of an underlying condition.
She then went on to receive basic and specialist medical training within the north west of England. She carried out in-depth research in medicine and was awarded a PhD in Currently, she is finishing her medical training at a large teaching hospital, and one of her greatest interests is medical education.
She is an advanced life support instructor and writes regularly for post-graduate examination websites, and also holds a PGCERT in medical education with distinction. Harville, E. Creating genuinely useful health information is important to us and we value your feedback! Was this article helpful, educational, or easy to understand? Email: feedback thefemedic. More posts. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
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