Why Is My Period So Light

Watery Period: What Does Thin Or Light Period Mean

why is my period so light! light period

Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer Health

Many women become worried and concerned if they start having a watery period. Watery period blood has a lighter consistency and color than what some women experience during their normal period. Although for many women a lighter blood flow sounds like a good thing, a light watery period could indicate that there are some health issues affecting the menstrual blood.

If you have a watery light period, it could be caused by hormonal fluctuations, stress, or using birth control. In some cases, a light irregular period could be the result of polycystic ovary syndrome or an eating disorder. Of course, each womans menstrual cycle is different, and for some women a light watery period is normal.

In this article, you will find out what it can mean if your menstrual period blood appears to be light and watery. You will also find out, in some cases, what you can do to if you have started having watery periods and when you should speak to a doctor about it.

I See Two Lines On A Pregnancy Test But One Is Very Light

Most home pregnancy tests will show two lines. The first is to indicate that the test is indeed working and the second is to indicate pregnancy. Normally, the first line will be dark and clear to read. It’s the second line that could be a little faint. If you read the directions for the test, they will tell you that the second line may appear lighter than the first, but even so, it still indicates a positive pregnancy.

The Effects Of Birth Control And Menopause

Variousforms of birth control can affect the frequency and duration of your period.The birth control pill tends to produce a regular period that occurs everymonth and lasts for three to five days. A hormonal IUD usually results in alighter period or noperiod at all. Most women experience spotting for the first fewmonths after getting the IUD.

A copper IUD may have no effect on bleeding patterns or may cause heavier and longer periods for some women. Progestin-only methods like the injection, medroxyprogesterone acetate , and the implant, etonogestrel are associated with irregular spotting as well, but most women report lighter and shorter periods.

Periods can become longer and more irregular as women approach menopause. Its important to discuss cycle characteristics with your doctor, especially women over the age of 45, as the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer increases with age.

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Period Blood Colors And Textures: What Do They Mean

While some consider this topic firmly in the too-much-information category, many women wonder about changes in period blood colors and texture. Your period is something you cant really ignore, so its only natural to wonder when it changes in some way, shape, or form. The Net is flooded with questions like, What does dark period blood mean?,Why is my period blood orange?,What do lots of clots in your period blood mean?, and What does bright red blood mean during your period? to prove it. Below youll find explanations for various period blood colors and textures to hopefully answer those questions.

Why Do I Have Period For 2 Weeks

QQ: Why Is My Period So Light?

A normal period is between 2 days and a week. If your period lasts more than a week, then its abnormal. Also, if you continue to see your periods for two weeks, then it is prolonged. Inform your doctor. Common causes of prolonged bleeding depend on your age. A uterine fibroid is common in young women while endometrial hyperplasia and cancer are common in older women.

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Watery Period With Cramps Because Of Hormone Fluctuations

Ups and downs in your hormone levels can also cause you to have a watery period from time to time.

Professor Jennifer Knudston, who is an expert in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Texas Health Center, says that the menstrual cycle is regulated by hormones. The complex interaction of your bodys hormones regulates ovulation, menstrual flow and consistency, and when the period starts. For some women, fluctuations in hormone levels can mean a lighter period or heavier period.5

Light, watery periods are just one of the signs that you could have a hormonal imbalance. There are natural ways to get your hormones back in balance and regulate your menstrual cycle. For example, you can try increasing your intake of foods that balance your hormones. This can help to increase your levels of progesterone and make your periods more regular.

A Faint Line Is Most Likely A Positive Test Result

If there are two lines, no matter how faint the second one is, you’re most likely pregnant! If you still need to know for sure, contact your healthcare provider to ask for a blood test.

Usually, about a week or so after you see your positive pregnancy test result, you’ll start experiencing some of the common early pregnancy symptoms, and then, you’ll know for sure you are pregnant. Until you know for sure, act as if you are pregnant. Take prenatal vitamins, eat a healthy diet, exercise when you can, and avoid anything you shouldn’t be exposed to during pregnancy.

Best of luck to you!

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Reasons Your Period Is Heavier Than Usual

From no-biggie birth control changes to serious medical problems.

When it comes to menstruation, not all periods are created equal. Any Mean Girls fan knows that some women just have a heavy flow and wide-set vagina! And while you shouldnt worry if you typically use super tampons while your friends always grabbing the light ones, something might be up if your flow has dramatically changed and is now heavier than it usually is.

Women are definitely aware of whats normal for them, says ob-gyn Jennifer Ashton, M.D. If one of my patients is experiencing something irregular and it happens three months in a row, I like to see her.

From no-biggie birth control changes to serious medical problems, here are seven reasons why you might be bleeding more than usual.

Considering that hormonal birth-control pills often regulate and lessen periodsin fact, some doctors prescribe it specifically to lighten up heavy flowsit makes sense that if you switch to a non-hormonal pill or stop taking oral contraception completely, youre going to be going through your tampons faster. And although IUDs like Mirena also lighten periods, Ashton says that non-hormonal IUDs tend to cause heavier periods in most women. While this is generally normal, see a healthcare professional if your heavy bleeding continues three months after insertion.

Can A Faint Line Be Negative

Why Are My Periods Lighter and I’m Bleeding Less? | Awakening Fertility

Sometimes a faint line may indicate a false positive, meaning you are not pregnant. There are two reasons this faint line may appear: the line is either an evaporation line or you had an early miscarriage. With early miscarriage, otherwise known as a “chemical pregnancy,” residual hCG hormone may still remain in a woman’s body, and there may be just enough for it to show up on a home pregnancy test. But unless you experience bleeding, a negative faint line is just an evaporation line.

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You Have Cervical Stenosis

A rare but uncomfortable problem, Dr. Akopians says this occurs when the cervix narrows or closes up completely. This may occur after previous surgery of the cervix or uterus, such as a LEEP procedure for an abnormal pap or an endometrial ablation for heavy menses. Cervical stenosis may also be due to low estrogen levels during perimenopause. As a result, blood stays trapped in the uterus or is only able to trickle out slowly. If you experience bad cramping, despite a light flow, talk to your doctor.

Spotting Vs Light Period

Okay, so you have only a small amount of bleeding going on at around the time youd expect your period. Is it spotting, or just a light period? It can be particularly confusing if your regular period doesnt come in the next week or two.

Lets find out more spotting vs light period.

What is Spotting?

Spotting is light vaginal bleeding that occurs between periods. There are a number of causes for it, including implantation bleeding if pregnant. That is one of the more common reasons that you may think your period is actually more like spotting.

Some of the symptoms of spotting include:

  • So light that a tampon or pad may not be required
  • Red or brown in colour
  • Occurs not at the time of your regular period

What Causes Spotting?

Beyond implantation bleeding when pregnant, some of the other causes may include the following:

  • Birth control, especially when starting a new one
  • PCOS
  • Fibroids or polyps in the uterus or cervix
  • STIs
  • Trauma

Spotting vs Light Period

There are three main ways that you might distinguish spotting from just a light period: amount, timing of bleeding, symptoms.

Amount of Bleeding

Spotting is often so light that is doesnt require a tampon or pad. You may use nothing, or something like a pantyliner to deal with it.

Periods, even a light one will probably require the use of a tampon, pad or menstrual cup.

Timing of Bleeding

If it happens at a time other than when your period should happen, its probably spotting.

Symptoms along with Bleeding

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The Source Of The Issue

Long periods can be the result of a variety of factors such as health conditions, your age and your lifestyle.

Underlying health conditions that can cause long periods include uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, adenomyosis, or more rarely, a precancerous or cancerous lesion of the uterus. A long period can also result from hormonal imbalances or a bleeding disorder.

Many women struggle with long and heavy periods for years without knowing there are ways to manage and improve their symptoms. I encourage all patients to seek out medical care if they have questions about their menstrual cycle or other gynecologic issues.

The first step to managing long periods due to a specific condition is to treat it. This can include things like removing an endometrial polyp or correcting hypothyroidism. Hormonal contraceptives are commonly used to help regulate abnormal cycles resulting from a wide variety of causes. Most of these methods take three to six months before youll notice some improvement.

You Lost A Ton Of Blood During Or After Childbirth

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This is a very rare condition, says Dr. Akopians. Losing a lot of blood deprives your body of oxygen, which can end up damaging the pituitary gland and cause something called Sheehans syndrome. That, in turn, drastically reduces the glands production of all types of hormones, including those that control your menstrual cycle. This hormone production not only impacts your menstrual cycle, but it can affect other parts of your body, like your thyroid. So if your doctor is concerned about this, they will likely refer you to an endocrinologist for diagnosis and treatment.

The bottom line: While having a lighter period than normal isnt necessarily cause for alarm, dont ignore the change. Track your cycle for a couple of months, and if it doesnt go back to your normal, make an appointment with a gynecologist.

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Watery Period During Perimenopause

As you approach the menopause, you might find that you start having more frequent watery light periods.

The perimenopause stage is the few years before the menopause when you start noticing irregularities in your menstrual cycle. According to doctors from Harvard Health, you might start experiencing lighter periods for several months before your period stops completely.11

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports that you may also experience heavier and longer menstrual periods during the perimenopause. However, if you have heavy bleeding and bleeding between periods, you should speak to your doctor.12

If you are postmenopausal and notice any spotting or signs of vaginal bleeding, you should speak to your doctor.

Going through this change puts a lot of stress on your body because of changing hormone levels. You can try some natural herbs to support you through the menopause. Also, many women have found that essentials oils like peppermint oil, lavender essential oil, and sweet marjoram provide natural relief from menopause symptoms.

Scar Tissue In Your Uterus Is Causing Issues

Most women who have gone through routine dilation and curettage procedures heal with zero complications, but sometimes severe scarring causes the walls of the uterus to stick to each other, causing whats known as Ashermans syndrome. If your period seems to have lightened up a lot after youve had a D& C, this might be your problem. You may need surgery to remove the scar tissue.

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What Is An Evaporation Line And Is It Common

An evaporation line is a faint, almost colorless line that commonly appears when the urine in the results window of your home pregnancy test fades and dries out. This is why it is so important to read your results within the designated reaction time frame and not after that, otherwise you might assume you’re pregnant when you’re actually not. So make to sure read the results in the allotted time frame, not after!

Uterine Polyps Or Cervical Polyps

I had light spotting a week after my period. What could it be?

Uterine polyps can be the cause of your prolonged menstrual flow. These are masses attached to the wall of the uterus and can sometimes extend down into the cervix. They cause irregular spotting between periods and can be visualized with a hysteroscope or ultrasound.

Uterine polyps are a common cause of bleeding after menopause. If you are below 4o years, then you may have pain and prolonged periods.

If your doctor finds uterine polyps as the cause of your prolonged periods, a D& C will be advised.

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What If I See An Extremely Faint Line

If this is the case, it may be way too early for the test to determine pregnancy. You just don’t have enough hCG in your system to be detected. The result could also be negative, and what you’re seeing is simply an evaporation line. Wait until you have missed your period, or even a few days more, and take another test. If you cannot get a positive reading even though you have missed your period, contact your healthcare provider to ask about a blood test. Also ask about possible reasons why your period hasn’t arrived.

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