Contents:
- Medical Video: Dr. Chris DeStephano Discusses Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
- What causes a little menstrual blood?
- 1. Effects of stress
- 2. The thyroid gland is too active
- 3. PCOS
- 4. Pregnancy
- 5. Use of contraception
- 6. While breastfeeding
- 7. Aging
- 8. Take medicines
Medical Video: Dr. Chris DeStephano Discusses Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
The menstrual pattern experienced by each woman is not the same. Some women may experience a long menstrual cycle, while others are relatively short. Likewise with the volume of blood, there is a flow that is smooth and large, but there are also those who have a little menstrual blood volume.
Regardless of the characteristics of your period, normally it will always be the same or not change every month. Then, if suddenly menstruation feels awkward because the blood volume is not as much as usual, what is the cause? See below, yes.
What causes a little menstrual blood?
Do not underestimate the changes that occur in your menstrual cycle, including menstrual blood flow that is not as usual (hypomenorrhea) and even shorten your menstrual day.
Explained by Dr. Lina Akopians, Ph.D., a reproductive endocrinologist in the Southern California Reproductive Center, that menstrual periods feel lighter because the volume of blood coming out tends to be a little can be caused by hormonal or structural problems in your body's organs.
Here are some things that trigger a little menstrual blood:
1. Effects of stress
Many people associate stress with changes in the menstrual cycle. In fact, stress can trigger the presence of the hormone cortisol which then inhibits the action of hormones in the body, one of which is the hormone estrogen which plays a role in the ovulation cycle.
This decrease in estrogen levels makes menstrual volume a little or even temporarily delayed. After stress goes away, menstruation usually returns to normal.
2. The thyroid gland is too active
Too much thyroid hormone production (hyperthyroidism) can have a negative effect on the heart, muscles, and blood pressure. On the other hand, this condition can affect your menstrual fluency. As a result, menstrual blood flow becomes less than usual.
3. PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive disorder caused by hormonal imbalances in a woman's body. Women with PCOS usually have unbalanced levels of sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone), excess androgen hormones (male sex hormones), and small cysts in their ovaries.
All of these conditions affect the normal ovulation process, making menstrual flow not smooth and irregular. Symptoms can include little or no menstrual blood for some time.
4. Pregnancy
Pregnant women should not experience menstruation. However, you may experience blood spots, which are often mistaken for small amounts of menstrual blood. Even though this is not menstrual blood, it is an early sign of pregnancy called implantation bleeding.
Implantation bleeding is bleeding that occurs when the fertilized egg is attached to the lining of the uterine wall for 6-12 days after fertilization. In addition, blood spots can also indicate an ectopic pregnancy or become pregnant outside the womb.
5. Use of contraception
According to Dr. Alyssa Dweck, a pregnancy and gynecology specialist and author of The Complete A to Z for Your V, said that the use of contraception can shorten your menstrual day because the volume of menstrual blood produced is relatively less.
Whether in the form of drinking pills or spiral KB, contraception risks risking the stability of hormones in the body. Some women don't even have menstruation at all. If you feel disturbed, immediately consult a doctor.
Your doctor may recommend non-hormonal contraceptives such as condoms or copper-coated IUDs. Make sure you ask your doctor or midwife first for the best advice on your health condition.
6. While breastfeeding
In fact, breastfeeding can make ovulation abnormal, which affects the menstrual blood volume slightly, or even delay temporary menstruation. If you breastfeed with exclusive breastfeeding, then the first menstruation will only occur 6 months after giving birth. While if not breastfeeding, then menstruation can come faster in 6-8 weeks after giving birth.
Because the body during breastfeeding, the body will produce the hormone prolactin, alpha-lactalbumin, and lactose synthesis, which can suppress the reproductive hormones that trigger ovulation. The new normal cycle will return after the breastfeeding period is complete.
7. Aging
The age factor is another reason why menstrual blood flow is getting smaller, especially if you have entered premenopausal period. Premenopause is a transition period before menopause, which makes your body experience hormonal changes slowly.
It usually occurs at the age of 40-50 years and takes up to around 4-6 years before you actually experience menopause. Do not worry if you suddenly experience menstrual blood volume that is not as normal or even has no menstruation, this is still normal. You can consult a doctor for more information.
8. Take medicines
Not only contraception, taking drugs can also affect your menstruation because it contains chemicals in it. Examples are NSAIDs (Advil, Naprosyn, Ibuprofen, etc.), antidepressants, and steroids.
