Small menstruation: causes and what to do

The decrease in menstrual flow, also known scientifically as hypomenorrhea, can happen either by decreasing the volume of menstruation, or by reducing the duration of menstruation and, generally, it is not a cause for concern, arising, in most cases, temporarily, especially during periods of great stress or very intense physical exercise, for example.

However, when this condition persists for a long time it can also indicate that there is a problem that is altering hormonal production, such as the polycystic ovary, but it can also be one of the first signs of pregnancy. Thus, whenever any change in menstruation causes any type of doubt it is very important to consult a gynecologist to try to identify if there is any problem that needs to be treated.

See which are the 10 most common menstrual changes and what they mean.

The most common causes for decreased menstrual flow include:

1. Excessive stress

During periods of high stress, such as having to perform an important job or losing a family member, for example, the body produces a large amount of cortisol and adrenaline. When this happens, excess cortisol causes the brain to stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which are needed to stimulate the menstrual cycle, causing a decrease in menstrual flow.

However, after this period of stress improves, the menstrual cycle should return to a more regular, returning to the characteristics it had previously.

What to do: it is advisable to try to participate in activities that help relieve stress, such as regular exercise or having a hobby , for example, in addition to consuming calming teas such as chamomile, lemon balm or valerian. In addition, one should also avoid being concerned about the decrease in menstruation, as it will accumulate with the stress of day-to-day life and continue to cause changes. See more natural ways to fight stress.

2. Natural aging

Throughout life it is common for the amount of menstruation to undergo some changes. For example, between the ages of 20 and 30 there is a greater tendency to have less menstruation and even to have spotting several times. After that age, menstruation is usually more regular and can also come with a little more.

However, with the arrival of menopause, some women may experience decreased menstrual flow again until the cycle stops due to the decrease in the amount of estrogens in the body.

What to do: this is a normal change and therefore should not be a cause for concern. However, if there are doubts, consult the gynecologist.

3. Weight changes

Sudden changes in weight, whether losing or gaining, can affect the menstrual cycle, changing not only its regularity, but also the amount of flow. In addition, women with very low weight may have less frequent periods, since there may be several factors affecting the menstrual cycle, such as inadequate nutrition, very intense physical exercise or higher levels of stress, for example.

What to do: Avoid extreme diets, so that there are no sudden changes in body weight, allowing the body to adapt over time. Thus, the ideal is to always maintain a healthy and balanced diet, avoiding more radical diets. Here's an example of what the diet should be like.

4. Do intense physical exercise

Women who exercise a lot usually also experience a reduction in the amount of menstruation and this is usually related to a combination of factors including increased stress, low body fat and decreased amount of energy available.

What to do: ideally, the amount of exercise should be dosed to avoid impacting the woman's health and menstrual cycle, however, athletes may have greater difficulty, and should talk to the gynecologist if the decrease in flow is causing some type of discomfort.

5. Pregnancy

Menstruation does not happen during pregnancy, as the baby is developing in the womb. However, some women may experience spottin g or the loss of a small amount of blood in the first few weeks, which can be mistaken for a small period. Understand better why bleeding can occur during pregnancy.

What to do: If you suspect that you are pregnant you should do a pharmacy test or consult your gynecologist to have a blood test and confirm this suspicion.

6. Polycystic ovaries

Another relatively common condition that can cause decreased menstrual flow is the presence of cysts in the ovaries. In these cases, there is an imbalance in hormone levels that can prevent women from ovulating, directly affecting the amount of menstrual flow. In these cases, other symptoms may appear, such as hair loss, acne or ease of weight gain.

What to do: The best way to confirm and treat a polycystic ovary situation is to consult a gynecologist for tests such as abdominal ultrasound and blood tests. Here's what to eat to relieve symptoms:

7. Hyperthyroidism

Although it is a little more rare, decreasing the amount of menstruation can also be a sign of hyperthyroidism. This is because in this condition the body produces a greater amount of thyroid hormones, which are responsible for increasing metabolism. When this happens, the body expends more energy than normal and can cause a constant feeling of anxiety and even weight loss, which ends up affecting the woman's menstrual cycle.

What to do: Hyperthyroidism can be confirmed through a blood test ordered by a general practitioner or endocrinologist, as well as ultrasound. Usually, the treatment is indicated by the doctor and includes the use of drugs to restore normal levels of thyroid hormones. See more about hyperthyroidism and its treatment.

When a short period can be an alarm signal

Usually the decrease in the amount of menstruation is not a sign of any health problem, however, there are situations that should be evaluated by a doctor. Some include:

• Having no periods for more than 3 cycles; Having recurrent bleeding between periods; Feeling very intense pain during menstruation.

Women who have always had little menstrual flow should not be concerned, as the pattern of menstruation varies widely from one woman to another, including the amount of the flow.