What is the reason for light menstrual flow?

Every woman's physical condition is different, and the amount of menstrual flow varies. Even for the same person, the amount of menstrual flow may be different at different times. Usually, it is normal for the menstrual flow to be occasionally less or more. However, if a person has very little menstrual flow for a long time, then it is definitely abnormal. The reason should be determined based on one's own situation. The common reasons are listed below.

What is the reason for light menstrual flow?

Oligomenorrhea refers to the fact that a woman has too little blood during her menstrual period, or her menstrual period is too short. Menstrual volume refers to the total amount of blood lost during one menstruation. Normal menstrual volume is 20-80ml. If it is less than this standard, it is considered as too little menstrual volume. Generally speaking, if a pack of sanitary napkins (10 pieces/pack) is not used in each cycle, and the amount of blood on each napkin is very small, just wetting the surface, it means that the menstrual flow is light.

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What is the reason for scanty menstrual flow? Some women have very little menstrual flow since menarche, which may be caused by incomplete uterine development. A sudden decrease in normal menstrual flow may be caused by abnormal hormone secretion or anovulatory menstruation.

The reasons for scanty menstruation mainly include the following three aspects:

1. Uterine hypoplasia. Menstruation is the shedding and bleeding of the endometrium that accompanies changes in the ovarian cycle. If the uterus is underdeveloped, such as a very small or deformed uterus, only a small amount of endometrium will be shed in each physiological cycle, resulting in less menstrual flow. In addition, endometrial lesions caused by endometrial tuberculosis or damage to the endometrium due to curettage or other procedures can also result in scanty menstruation or even amenorrhea.

2. Abnormal hormone secretion. Estrogen can stimulate the proliferation of the female endometrium. If the hormone secretion in the body is abnormal, the proliferation of the endometrium will not reach the required thickness, resulting in less menstrual flow. Excessive dieting, irregular work and rest, bad mood, reproductive system diseases, etc. will affect the female endocrine environment, leading to abnormal hormone secretion and low menstrual volume.

3. Anovulatory menstruation. Women who do not ovulate can also have menstruation, which is medically called "anovulatory menstruation." This is different from normal menstruation and falls into the category of "functional uterine bleeding". This type of menstruation is characterized by irregular timing and very little blood flow.