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Menstruation has become more scanty for reasons. What do scanty periods and discharge mean in women, do they need to be treated? Causes of scanty periods under the influence of external factors

Hypomenorrhea or scanty periods- this is one of the variants of the condition of the reproductive system, in which there is an incomplete separation of the normal volume of blood during menstruation. In this case, the woman loses no more than 50 ml over the entire period.

What amount of discharge is considered normal?

The volume of discharge is a rather individual parameter. On average, it is believed that the volume of discharge should be from 100 to 200 ml. This volume depends on the size of the uterus, as well as a history of childbirth and diseases.

Symptoms

The main signs of scanty periods are discharge from the genital tract, which has a small volume. At the same time, menstruation will not always have a characteristic color; it is acceptable to change scanty menstruation to a brown tint or pink.

Many women may mistake the discharge of only a few drops of blood for a scanty period..

Of the general symptoms, no signs may appear and only sometimes there is a deterioration in general health, accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, headaches, etc.

First scanty periods

One of the manifestations of menstruation in adolescents is scanty periods that are small in volume and do not correspond to the clinical picture. A girl may complain of severe pain in the lower abdomen, feeling unwell, etc., but the discharge will be quite small.

Early scanty periods

Often young girls are faced with such a problem before the arrival of menstruation, such as the appearance of a small amount of discharge, which has a characteristic brown tint and can resemble menstruation.

This type of discharge may be a signal of the body’s preparation for the onset of menstruation and a reaction of endometrial tissue to changes in hormonal levels.

Prolonged scanty discharge

This condition can occur in women of any age, and in this case the cause may not always be pathological.

However, sometimes scanty discharge for a long time can be a sign of an inflammatory process or a characteristic feature of a woman’s body.

Reasons

After childbirth

Often after the birth of a child, a woman faces such a problem as scanty periods.

Let's take a closer look at this condition:

Discharge rate:

The duration should not exceed two weeks and normally no treatment is required.
Such discharge may be accompanied by slight pulsating sensations in the lower abdomen. This is due to contraction of the uterine cavity.
An increase in volume may indicate pathology.

After an abortion

Almost every woman may experience scanty periods that occur after a medical termination of pregnancy:

This is especially pronounced after curettage of the uterine cavity with a surgical instrument - a curette. As a result, an extensive knapsack surface is formed, which requires some time to recover.
The cause of scanty periods can also be the remainder of the fertilized egg or chorionic villi. In the latter case, an inflammatory process occurs, which can aggravate the situation.

Normally, after an abortion, the duration of such scanty periods can be up to 10 days, on average about one week. If this time increases or signs such as an unpleasant odor, the presence of purulent contents, or a deterioration in general health appear, you should not delay visiting a specialist, as this may be an unfavorable prognostic sign.

As a rule, menstruation shifts and the next cycle begins from the moment the abortion and curettage are performed.

During pregnancy

Many women are sure that pregnancy is a period when, from the moment of fertilization, menstruation ceases.

In reality, under normal hormonal conditions, this is what should happen, but in reality it turns out that sometimes a woman notices menstruation, and later finds out about pregnancy.

Causes of menstruation during pregnancy:

Scanty periods after curettage

This is a fairly common problem that can be encountered by representatives of the fair sex aged 40-50 years who have undergone diagnostic curettage of the uterine cavity.

In this case, the entire mucous membrane of the organ is removed to the maximum, and it may take a long time to restore its functional activity at this age.

In such situations, scanty periods can last for several cycles and a truly pathological reason should not always be sought for this; it may be a completely physiological condition.

Hypothyroidism

Characteristics of the disease:

Insufficient functional activity of the thyroid gland leads to inadequate functioning of the ovaries. This is explained by the complex interconnected work of these endocrine structures.
As a result of a lack of thyroid hormones, the follicle in the ovary does not mature. In response to such a mechanism, adequate maturation of the endometrium does not occur.

Menstruation with hypothyroidism:

Menstruation with this type of pathology is prone to delays, which can last up to several months and can only be caused by hormonal support.
In addition, after the onset of menstruation, they are scanty and have the character of a spot with a brown tint.
Their duration usually does not exceed two or three days. In addition to cycle disruption, symptoms such as unmotivated weight gain, etc. may appear.

Anorexia and underweight

This process is usually associated with rapid loss of body weight and a decrease in the reserves of all nutrients. The body currently receives fewer substances necessary not only for the normal functioning of organs, but also of the ovaries in particular.

As a result, these structures become depleted. They decrease in size, the follicular apparatus will not be mature and their full work will not occur.

This condition may manifest itself either as a complete absence of menstruation, and the duration can reach half a year. This will be considered an unfavorable pathological symptom, since subsequently they may not begin at all and infertility will be irreversible, since atrophy of all structures will occur. Menstruation, even if it begins, becomes scanty, its duration is short, and the volume of blood lost is negligible; it becomes more like a daub.

This is a disease of the reproductive system, which is associated with menstrual dysfunction.

Characteristics and features of the disease:

It is expressed by the fact that the body, as a rule, has a hormonal imbalance; this may primarily be hyperandrogenism.
The follicular apparatus of the ovaries is represented by a large number of large, but defective elements.
In this case, ovulation does not occur, as well as endometrial maturation.
Menstruation is regularly delayed; the duration of such delays can reach several months.
Unlike typical delays, which are characterized by heavier menstruation, with polycystic menstruation, menstruation is scanty and painful. Women may notice a disruption in the functioning of the endocrine glands, which is manifested by hypoandrogenism, increased hair growth, and increased body weight.

Having increased body weight

If there are a large number of fat cells in the body, there is an increased formation of female sex hormones, as a result of which the estrogen component increases. It is this disorder that leads to a relative deficiency of the progesterone component, which is the reason for the defective maturation of endometrial tissue.
Menstruation becomes scanty, their color may not differ from normal, but the duration sometimes drags on, which causes obvious discomfort in the woman.
In addition, such a reason can lead not only to the appearance of scanty periods, but also to the development of infertility. This may also be the reason for an increase in the production of androgens, leading to a complete imbalance in the functioning of a woman’s endocrine organs.

Disturbances in the functioning of the reproductive system organs

When there are disturbances in the functioning of the organs of the reproductive system, their formation is defective. Sometimes, when the ovaries are not working properly, when too little estrogen is produced by the body, the female genital organs do not grow sufficiently.

The main target in this case will be the uterus; it does not reach large sizes, as a result it cannot fully perform its function, so with uterine hypoplasia, the endometrial tissue is not fully formed, and menstruation becomes scanty.

In this case, women may never fully begin to have full periods, which will only manifest themselves as brown smudges from the genitals for 1-2 days.

Stress

Prolonged nervous overstrain, as well as the effects of stress on the body.

Such situations very often lead to the woman’s body becoming depleted, nutrient reserves becoming minimal, and this leads to inadequate ovarian function and menstrual dysfunction.

As a rule, during a prolonged stressful situation, there is insufficient production of estrogen, and endometrial tissue does not grow in the required volume. During these periods, a woman may notice a delay in menstruation, as well as their appearance in scanty quantities. The duration also does not exceed several days.

Menopause

Women aged 50-55 years usually face the problem of menopause, but the situation can be ambiguous, since in some cases women’s periods end for various reasons much earlier than the expected age.

More and more women are turning to a specialist at the age of 40-45 years with complaints about menstrual irregularities, the appearance of scanty periods, as well as typical disorders associated with menopause.

Menopause symptoms:

This condition is expressed by hot flashes, surges in blood pressure, gain of fat mass, etc.
A woman, 1-2 years before the complete cessation of menstruation, notices that irregularities appear, regularity is lost, and with the usual large volume, menstruation becomes more scanty.

Consequences of surgical interventions

Some women face a problem in which the only treatment option is complete removal of the organ.

But after a certain time, especially if the ovaries were abandoned, the patient is faced with the phenomenon of the appearance of menstruation.

This can cause panic, since there is no organ from which endometrial particles should be removed.

But some may experience menstrual-like bleeding every month due to a small piece of endometrium remaining in the cervix.

Before the onset of such discharge, there may be the same symptoms as before menstruation, such as engorgement of the mammary glands, changes in mood, etc.

In such a situation, the doctor needs to be more careful, since severe pathology may remain in the residual particles.

Diagnostics

When a woman has scanty periods, you should definitely look for the reason for the development of this condition. To do this, the first step is to contact a specialist.

After assessing the clinical picture, the doctor will decide what set of measures need to be taken to further establish the cause and select the correct treatment.

These include:

Treatment

Each individual reason for the appearance of scanty periods requires an individual approach to treatment, since in different cases there is a different pathogenesis of the condition:

Do I need to see a doctor?

Women who are faced with the problem of scanty periods need to consult a doctor. In this case, there is no role between the just beginning of menstruation in a teenage girl or the menopausal state.

In any case, additional diagnostic methods are required to eliminate pathological conditions or prevent the development of other problems.

Prevention

In order for a woman not to encounter the problem of scanty periods, as a pathological scenario, she should follow a number of rules aimed at maintaining the health of her reproductive system.

These include:

That is why, when scanty periods appear, it is recommended to consult a specialist for diagnosis and possibly to exclude pathology.

Scanty menstruation (hypomenorrhea) is understood as a disorder of the menstrual cycle, which is characterized by scanty menstrual bleeding with blood loss below the physiological norm (less than 50 ml).

This condition is often accompanied by a decrease in the duration of menstruation (oligomenorrhea) or precedes amenorrhea (the complete absence of menstruation).

Hypomenorrhea can be a manifestation of various physiological conditions (perimenopause or the formation of menstrual function) or various pathological conditions of the female genital organs.

Reasons

The development of scanty menstruation during the reproductive period is based on dysfunction of the ovaries or pituitary gland, which directly regulate menstrual function. Also, hypomenorrhea can be caused by inferiority of the endometrium (inner layer of the uterus) due to various intrauterine manipulations (abortion, frequent curettage) or inflammatory diseases (tuberculosis).

Violation of the cyclic secretion (production) of hormones leads to insufficiency of the circulatory system in the uterus and defective changes in the endometrium during menstruation. As a result, scanty periods are observed.

Among the reasons that directly trigger the development of hypomenorrhea are the following:

significant loss of body weight as a result of dieting, exhaustion, anorexia;
anemia, hypovitaminosis, metabolic disorders;
stress, overload, neuropsychic diseases;
genitourinary tract surgery, trauma;
partial surgical removal of the uterus, underdevelopment of the female genital organs;
incorrectly selected and used hormonal contraceptives;
lactation period;
various endocrine diseases;
infectious diseases, including damage to the genital organs by tuberculosis;
exposure to occupational hazards (radioactive radiation, chemicals);
intoxication.

With hypomenorrhea, menstrual flow takes the form of drops or traces of dark brown or light colored blood.

The duration of menstruation in this condition can either be maintained or shortened against the background of a normal menstrual cycle, consisting of two phases.

Scanty periods and delayed menstruation may be accompanied by headaches, nausea, lower back pain, chest tightness, constipation or various dyspeptic symptoms (impaired digestion processes).

Menstruation itself may not be accompanied by spastic contractions of the uterus and severe pain. In some cases, nosebleeds are observed that accompany each menstruation. Scanty periods are usually characterized by a decrease in estrogen secretion, and, as a result, a decrease in reproductive function and libido.

In rare cases, hypomenorrhea occurs almost painlessly and unnoticed by the woman, without causing any symptoms of anxiety.

Scanty periods during puberty (formation of menstrual function) or premenopause (decay of menstrual function) indicate functional changes natural to the body and are not signs of a pathological condition. But, in the reproductive phase, hypomenorrhea and other symptoms of hypomenstrual syndrome indicate serious disorders in the reproductive or other body systems. To find out the reasons for scanty periods, a thorough, comprehensive study is necessary.

Early scanty periods

This condition can be observed in several cases: during the formation of menstrual function, pregnancy. In the first case, hypomenorrhea is a physiological condition, and therefore does not lead to the development of serious consequences. However, scanty periods can be accompanied by the appearance of a variety of symptoms and their severity. Pain in the abdomen, chest, and sacral region may be observed.

Also characteristic is the presence of scanty discharge of predominantly yellow or light brown color (below the physiological norm). Over time, this condition passes and menstrual function normalizes. During pregnancy, scanty periods may appear due to disruption of endocrine regulation (impaired production of pituitary or ovarian hormones).

This condition requires appropriate hormonal correction. At the same time, it is characterized by a pronounced clinical picture (pain, intoxication phenomena, if the cause is inflammatory processes in the female genital organs, constipation and dyspepsia).

First scanty periods

The first scanty periods can appear not only during the formation of menstrual function, but also during the reproductive period, as well as during premenopause. The determining role is played by factors that contribute to the development of this condition (hormonal disorders, inflammatory changes, injuries, stressful conditions, anemia, etc.).

For example, in the presence of inflammatory diseases, scanty periods of a light color with an increased number of pathological elements (leukocytes) will be observed, in case of injuries - dark brown (due to the presence of destroyed red blood cells). Determining the cause of hypomenorrhea will help indicate the characteristics of the discharge, which guarantees the correct diagnosis.

Long, scanty periods

The presence of long, scanty periods in a woman indicates the development of a serious pathological condition in the genital area (mainly the uterus) or a violation of the hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle.

A menstrual disorder in which menstrual bleeding does not exceed more than 72 hours.

Such conditions include endometriosis (inflammation of the inner layer of the uterus), vitamin deficiencies, endocrine diseases, and metabolic disorders. In this case, timely consultation with a doctor is extremely necessary, because the earlier the pathology is identified, the greater the chance of preventing dangerous complications in the form of amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) and the development of infertility.

Scanty periods after childbirth

It is quite common to experience scanty periods after childbirth. This condition can be called physiological, since at this time the woman’s body has not yet fully adapted to changes in the regulation of the menstrual cycle, and the hormonal background is still oriented towards the child and the mother.

This condition usually goes away on its own within a couple of weeks.

However, if the opposite situation is observed and long, scanty periods are observed, this indicates the addition of complications after childbirth in the form of inflammatory, infectious diseases, as well as disorders of the secretion of pituitary hormones.

Sometimes scanty periods can be the result of stress during childbirth or breastfeeding. Treatment for this condition, as in other cases, should include remedies that eliminate the cause, and then the main symptoms.

Scanty periods after curettage

After curettage, in some cases, scanty periods may be observed. If they have an unpleasant odor and are dark in color, this is an alarming signal, especially if menstruation occurs against the background of poor general health, pain in the lower abdomen, and elevated temperature.

The cause of this condition may be a violation of the curettage technique, while several particles of the fetal membrane may remain in the uterine cavity. An unpleasant odor may also indicate the presence of an infectious process. In almost all such cases, repeated curettage is required.

Brown discharge during scanty periods

This symptom of hypomenorrhea is observed quite often. Brown discharge indicates disturbances in the reproductive system. In frequent cases, the cause of this symptom is inflammation of the endometrium (chronic endometritis).

This condition, in turn, can be caused by various intrauterine interventions, postpartum or post-abortion endometritis, and infectious diseases. The discharge is accompanied by an unpleasant odor and aching pain in the lower abdomen.

Brown or dark bloody discharge may also be a sign of endometriosis of the uterus or cervix. In this case, pain does not appear.

Endometrial hyperplasia may also be accompanied by the appearance of this pathological sign. This disease can cause disruption of any type of metabolism, disruption of hormonal regulation, and diseases of the genital organs.

Often, the use of hormonal contraceptives can cause brown discharge after menstruation. In the first months, such changes are considered normal, but if such phenomena last more than two months, then it is necessary to replace contraceptives.

Scanty periods during pregnancy

Many people believe that you shouldn't have periods during pregnancy. This is not entirely correct. In the first month of pregnancy, menstruation may occur.

This fact is explained by the fact that after the fertilization process, the fertilized egg does not have time to reach the desired place in such a short time, and no serious changes in hormonal levels have occurred.

From the second month of pregnancy, all hormones begin to work normally, pregnancy develops, and menstruation should not normally occur during pregnancy.

Menstruation that occurs in the first month of pregnancy is not menstruation. Bloody discharge is not as heavy as regular periods. There are several reasons for such phenomena.

The appearance of blood from the vagina may indicate detachment of the fertilized egg. If this process is insignificant, then the body copes on its own and does not allow the fertilized egg to leave the uterus.

In some cases, spotting may indicate that a spontaneous abortion has begun. A miscarriage can be recognized by red bleeding with nagging pain in the lower abdomen in the first trimester of pregnancy or cramping pain with the remnants of the fertilized egg in the second trimester.

The cause of scanty periods during pregnancy may also be insufficient secretion of the hormone progesterone or excess production of androgens. In rare cases, a similar symptom can be caused by the presence of a heart defect in the fetus or an ectopic pregnancy.

Diagnostics

To identify the causes of scanty periods and assess the degree of potential danger to the body, a woman should consult a gynecologist.
The examination scheme includes:

a thorough examination of the medical history (collection of complaints, assessment of possible factors, connections with other diseases);
full gynecological examination;
cytology tests from the genital tract;
culture for bacteria;
PCR diagnostics of sexually transmitted infections;
determination of sex hormones in urine and blood;
assessment of basal temperature;
Ultrasound of the ovaries and uterus;
pathological examination and endometrial biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment of scanty periods (hypomenorrhea) depends on the results obtained during diagnosis. In the event that this condition is caused by disorders of nutrition, psycho-emotional balance, or physical activity, therapeutic measures are aimed at their correction. According to indications, vitamin complexes, specific antimicrobial agents and hormonal drugs are used.

In the treatment of scanty periods, the leading measures are general strengthening measures and treatment of the underlying disease. In the treatment of hypomenorrhea, excellent results are obtained by the use of homeopathic remedies, the effect of which is practically no different from that of one’s own hormones.

Accompanying scanty periods with depression, apathy, general weakness, frigidity, and headaches requires the use of psychotherapeutic and physiotherapeutic treatment aimed at eliminating all functional disorders. During the periods of premenopause and lactation, special therapy for scanty periods is not required.

During one menstruation, a woman loses up to 150 ml of blood. Depending on the characteristics of the body and the influence of external factors, this indicator changes. If the volume of blood released is less than 50 ml, then such periods are considered scanty. This is due to pathology and external influences. Only a doctor can identify the true causes of scanty periods.

Many women who have heard about scanty periods are interested in what kind of discharge it is and how it differs from normal menstruation. In fact, understanding this issue is quite simple.

Normally, the cycle is at least 21 and maximum 35 days. The duration of menstruation varies from three to five days. During this period, 50–150 ml of blood leaves the body.

If menstruation has become less abundant than usual, and its volume differs from the norm - less than 50 ml, then it is diagnosed, which is considered a cycle violation. As a rule, during menstruation there is very little discharge - just a few drops. They often have a smearing character and are brown, black or extremely light in color.

Secondary hypomenstrual syndrome is a condition in which scanty periods are observed. They go less, become short and may stop on the third day. In this case, the menstruation that appears differs from the previous one. Early menstruation was within the normal range, but the next ones dramatically changed their character. The reasons why blood loss is 30-50 ml during critical days are physiological and pathological.

To correctly assess hypomenstrual syndrome, it is necessary to clearly understand what a woman normally loses during menstruation. Read more about this in our article on the website.

Functional reasons

Scanty periods are often observed due to disturbances in the functioning of the ovaries or pituitary gland, which are responsible for the reproductive function. Failures of the endocrine system can also lead to similar changes in the menstrual cycle.

Ovarian diseases

Dysfunction of the ovaries has a direct impact on menstruation. The cycle becomes shorter, menstruation occurs without blood or with a minimal amount of brown discharge. The secretion of hormones is disrupted, and for this reason, a change in the nature of critical days is observed.

Impaired ovarian function can be caused by various diseases, including inflammatory processes, polycystic disease () and tuberculosis, which affects these organs.

Thyroid diseases

Pathologies such as diabetes mellitus and hyperfunction of the thyroid gland often lead to a decrease in the volume of blood lost during menstruation. In addition, the following clinical manifestations are noted:

weakness;
causeless weight loss;
excessive sweating and extreme thirst;
depression;

If your periods are not abundant and are accompanied by such symptoms, you need to go for a consultation with an endocrinologist.

Pituitary gland diseases

If there are abnormalities in the pituitary gland, which is responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle, very scanty periods are observed. Hormones are produced in an inappropriate amount, and as a consequence of this - insufficient uterine blood circulation and abnormal structure of the endometrium. For this reason, heavy periods are abruptly replaced by minor discharge.

Organic causes

The causes of scanty menstruation may lie in various pathologies affecting internal organs and systems. There is a certain relationship between the body as a whole and the reproductive system.

Thus, scanty periods are often caused by diseases or infections affecting the genital organs, obesity and liver disease.

Diseases of the genital organs

Weak periods are observed with the development of diseases of the uterus and other pathologies affecting the reproductive system, such as:

Endometriosis. The structure of the mucous membrane changes. Over time, the vagina, cervix and abdominal cavity are affected.
Endometrial hyperplasia. The mucous membrane of the uterus grows into the muscle walls, as a result, small vessels are damaged and a discharge similar to menstruation appears.
Polycystic ovary syndrome. Cysts form on these organs, which causes hormonal imbalances. As a consequence of the development of the disease, women's menstrual flow becomes insignificant and irregular.
. Growths form on the endometrium caused by hormonal imbalances. Initially, scanty discharge appears, which abruptly turns into bleeding.
Infantilism of the reproductive system organs. In addition to the fact that the amount of discharge is significantly reduced, women experience severe stomach pain during menstrual periods.

Inflammation of the genital organs

In the presence of an inflammatory process in the genital area, reproductive function disorders often occur. The factor that provokes the penetration of infection into the genitals is non-compliance with the rules of intimate hygiene, unprotected sexual intercourse or hypothermia.

With sexually transmitted infections such as colpitis, vulvitis, cervicitis, candidiasis and vulvovaginitis, the volume of discharge does not change, but only at the early stage of the disease. If the uterus, tubes and ovaries are damaged, menstruation becomes light and painful.

Symptoms of the inflammatory process:

pain in the lower abdomen, independent of the menstrual cycle;
scanty discharge (their color, consistency and smell change);
hyperthermia;
vomiting and nausea;
pain in the lumbar region.

Inflammation can develop against the background of decreased immunity, taking antibiotics, excessive fatigue and emotional stress.

Obesity

Weak discharge is often observed in overweight women. This is due to the fact that hormones - estrogens - are deposited in fatty tissues. When too many of them accumulate, the activity of the endocrine system is disrupted, and as a result - a malfunction of the ovaries and adrenal glands.

Changes in hormone levels lead to changes in the frequency and nature of bleeding. They become scanty, sometimes accompanied by spasmodic pain and nausea.

Liver diseases

Liver pathologies can cause hypomenorrhea. In this case, long, scanty periods are observed. Nosebleeds are often observed during menstrual periods. In this case, a mandatory medical consultation is required. If a woman’s menstruation is scanty and accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, then she immediately needs to go to a gynecologist for help.

Iatrogenic causes

Scanty periods can appear after taking medications and as a result of medical intervention. The reason for the change in the nature of discharge often lies in the use of hormonal contraceptives, abortive measures and other special procedures.

Taking medications

One of the common causes of scanty menstruation is the use of oral contraceptives. Such changes are considered normal in most cases, but should be monitored by a doctor.

Little discharge is also observed when taking antibiotics and hormonal drugs. As a rule, after their cancellation, the cycle and volume of menstruation become the same.

Medical interventions

As a result of operations in the uterine area and frequent curettages, scars form, and the area of the endometrium that functions becomes smaller. No matter how gentle modern technologies are, tissue injury and thinning of the uterine epithelium cannot be ruled out. As a result, the volume of discharge is reduced. Menstruation occurs without blood, or rather with minor losses. With properly prescribed therapy, damage can most often be restored.

Other causes affecting the menstrual cycle

The explanation for why periods have become scanty may be various external factors:

frequent stress;
poor nutrition;
climate change;
severe physical fatigue;
mental stress;
sedentary lifestyle.

Sometimes they are observed in women, but they do not always indicate the presence of pathology. We recommend reading more about this in a separate article on our website.

Treatment

As soon as scanty periods appear, you should consult a doctor who will carry out the necessary diagnostic procedures and prescribe adequate therapy. To determine the dangers of changes in the menstrual cycle and the nature of discharge, visual inspection and additional research are required.

The gynecologist will examine the medical history, basal temperature chart, hormone levels (using blood and urine tests), and diagnose sexually transmitted infections (they are determined using a smear, bacterial culture and PRC). It is possible that you will need to do an ultrasound and take a tissue sample for a subsequent biopsy.

Treatment of scanty periods directly depends on the diagnostic results. In case of malnutrition, lack of psycho-emotional balance and excessive physical exertion, the provoking factor is first eliminated. In addition, vitamin complexes, hormonal and antimicrobial agents are prescribed.

If a pathology is detected, in addition to general strengthening actions, therapy for the underlying disease is performed. Additionally, physiotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic treatment may be required, with the help of which functional disorders can be eliminated.

A change in the volume of menstrual flow does not always indicate the development of pathology, but in any case, such disturbances cannot be ignored. Only after diagnostics can the cause of these changes be identified and the cycle normalized.

Every month, the body of every woman of reproductive age loses blood. Normally, the volume of menstrual blood loss is 50–150 ml.

If your periods are scanty and small, this cannot go unnoticed. Hypomenorrhea has different causes, and not all of them are pathological. In order not to worry in vain, it is necessary to study the peculiarities of the female body.

What periods are considered scanty?

First, let's look at what scanty periods mean. This definition includes menstrual flow up to 50 ml. The diagnosis in this case is hypomenorrhea.

Often this condition is accompanied by oligomenorrhea, i.e., a decrease in the duration of bleeding. If normal menstruation lasts from 3 to 7 days, then in patients with oligomenorrhea bleeding is observed for only 1 to 2 days.

During menopause, hypomenorrhea may be a sign of the rapid development of amenorrhea (complete absence of menstruation). As a natural physiological process, scanty periods are considered in girls with an unknown cycle (the first 2 years after menarche).

Premenopausal women face the same phenomenon. They have very scanty periods due to the fading of ovarian function. A decrease in estrogen levels as the body ages does not allow the uterine mucosa to fully develop. As a result, the volume of secretions is reduced.

Some girls experience menstruation, secreted by the uterus in small quantities, due to heredity. If the mother or grandmother’s critical days were sparse, representatives of subsequent generations may experience the same situation. But the likelihood of having offspring among daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters remains.

In young women, hypomenorrhea often indicates disturbances in the reproductive system. A comprehensive examination will help determine the exact cause of the anomaly.

How do you manage your scanty periods? The discharge is lighter than usual or has a brown color. They leave small blood stains on the pad. Menstruation begins on time or with a delay and lasts from several hours to 2 days.

If a woman has not previously had signs of PMS, with hypomenorrhea she will experience the following symptoms:

Nausea.
Headache.
Breast engorgement.
Aching pain in the lower back.
Defecation disorder.

Dark menstrual blood can be released in small quantities during inflammatory and infectious processes that occur in the internal genital organs. The bloody mass smells foul. Women complain of nagging pain in the lower abdomen and nosebleeds.

Pathological causes of hypomenorrhea

If the patient has scanty periods, the causes of the phenomenon must be investigated carefully, since some diseases are quite dangerous for the body. Most often, deviation occurs against the background of hormonal disorders, with the use of hormonal drugs and birth control pills, as well as with the development of endocrine and gynecological pathologies.

If a woman uses oral contraceptives to protect against unplanned pregnancy, and she has short, scanty periods for more than 2 months in a row, it is necessary to consult a doctor and reconsider the method of contraception.

Let us list the pathological causes of scanty periods:

Anorexia. Following strict diets, forced fasting (for example, for medicinal purposes), and sudden weight loss without a special program exhaust the body and force it to conserve energy to maintain basic vital processes. Menstruation becomes scanty or does not come at all.
Defects of the genital organs. Underdeveloped genitals cannot fully perform their functions. After partial removal of the uterus, hypomenorrhea may also develop.
Abortion, childbirth, curettage and diagnostic manipulations with intervention in the uterine cavity. After hysteroscopy, which is a kind of operation for the treatment of polyps, the tissues change their structure, and the course of the menstrual cycle takes a different turn. If the uterus was cleaned, and the menstruation subsequently became scanty and bad-smelling, this indicates an infection of the organ or that foreign particles remain inside. In this case, scraping is repeated.
Lack of nutrients. Deficiency of vitamins, minerals and microelements is dangerous due to vitamin deficiency and anemia. Their deficiency negatively affects metabolic and hematopoietic processes and reproductive function. A tumor may form in an exhausted body.
Thyroid diseases. This section of the endocrine system is responsible for the production of estrogens and the proper functioning of the reproductive system. An improperly functioning thyroid gland delays the maturation of the egg and prevents its release from the follicle. Due to a lack of necessary hormones, the lining of the uterus does not grow enough for menstruation to proceed normally.
Obesity. The abundance of adipose tissue is fraught with excessive accumulation of hormones. Violations affect the reproductive organs and the menstrual cycle.
Tuberculosis of the uterus and ovaries (endometritis). Symptoms of the disease are long delays followed by scanty menstruation and pain in the lower abdomen.
STD. Sexual infections and fungal diseases disrupt the cycle and make discharge insignificant.
Polycystic ovary syndrome. The surface of paired organs is overgrown with small cystic formations. The disease provokes menstrual irregularities.
Polyps in the uterus. The polyp looks like a tubercle with a stalk. The growth is formed due to hormonal imbalances. Polyposis is manifested by alternating scanty and heavy bleeding.
Endometriosis. The intrauterine mucosa grows to abnormal sizes, leaves the organ cavity and spreads to the cervix, vagina, and peritoneum. With endometrial hyperplasia, mucous tissue grows into the muscle tissue of the uterus. Brown spotting appears between heavy periods.
Ovarian dysfunction. Organs do not work properly due to hormonal instability. Menstruation is alternately intense and scanty.
Diseases of the central nervous system. Pathologically altered processes in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus distort the ratio of hormones that are necessary for the proper formation of the endometrium and disrupt the MC.

The volume of menstrual flow may change downward due to high physical and neuropsychic stress. The coordinated functioning of the sexual sphere is also disrupted by frequent contacts with chemicals (for example, due to professional duties) and unfavorable ecology.

Pregnancy with scanty periods

Typically, menstruation stops after conception. However, scanty periods and pregnancy in gynecological practice are not such a rare occurrence.

Moreover, a woman may not be aware of her interesting position. Why is this happening? Firstly, the situation is affected by an insufficient amount of progesterone. The hormone is not enough due to the individual characteristics of the body. The mucous membrane begins to be partially rejected, and scanty periods are released. After some time, the pregnancy may be terminated.

If a woman plans to become a mother, but minor periods are observed for several cycles in a row and conception does not occur, she needs to go to the clinic and get tested for progesterone. Drug correction of the level of this hormone will contribute to a favorable course of the next pregnancy.

Fetal malformations

An abnormally developing embryo cannot fix itself normally in the uterine cavity and provokes partial detachment of the endometrium. If you take a pregnancy test on time and get medical advice, you can save the child. But this is only when the situation is not hopeless.

Ectopic pregnancy

A dangerous condition is associated with the fixation of a fertilized egg in the fallopian tube.

Occurs due to a gynecological disease or underdevelopment of the endometrial layer. Scanty menstruation is explained by the rejection of thin mucous tissue.

Exceeding androgen norms

If the female body produces male sex hormones in increased quantities, the uterus cannot cope with pregnancy. Gestation is interrupted and hypomenorrhea begins.

With the simultaneous fertilization of two eggs, followed by the rejection of one low-quality embryo, instead of normal menstruation, bloody smear occurs.

Hypomenorrhea in the postpartum period

With the birth of a long-awaited baby, a woman may notice scanty periods after childbirth. With the help of minor bleeding, the uterus cleans itself independently of the remnants of the placenta and blood clots that have formed due to damage to local vessels. Such discharge is called lochia.

If it appears only 2 weeks after delivery, it is possible that the inflammatory and infectious process is progressing in the genitals.

During breastfeeding, menstruation practically does not occur until the end of lactation. Hypomenorrhea during this period is associated with regular hormonal changes and restoration of the rhythm of the menstrual cycle.

If your periods went normally after giving birth, but subsequently became scanty, the woman may have been worried or suffered severe stress.

Diagnosis and treatment of hypomenorrhea

Any changes in menstruation that are observed for several cycles in a row require immediate contact with a gynecologist. What to do if a woman has scanty periods should not decide on her own, since spotting often indicates serious pathologies that are difficult to respond to drug therapy. The worst option is oncological changes in the uterus and ovaries.

The doctor decides what treatment for hypomenorrhea will be, taking into account the medical history and the results of diagnostic measures:

General blood test.
Computed tomography.
Colposcopic examination.
A smear to determine the infectious pathogen.
Blood test for hormones (thyroid hormone levels are examined if thyroid disease is suspected).

Girls at menarche and breastfeeding women are not prescribed treatment. Non-dangerous causes of scanty periods can be eliminated by consuming vitamins and healthy foods. In consultation with the doctor, they take sedatives and change their lifestyle.

To relieve stress and improve blood supply to the uterus, they take a course, and use aromatherapy at home. To enhance blood flow, a week before the start of menstruation, they begin to take hot foot baths.

In a situation where periods have become scanty and short, doctors select individual treatment. Patients are prescribed antibiotics, vitamin and hormonal medications, and physiotherapy procedures.

In some cases, consultations with a psychologist provide tangible results. Uncontrolled use of medications chosen independently threatens deterioration of health and infertility.

If scanty periods are not associated with illness, in consultation with the doctor, bleeding is stimulated using folk remedies:

Carrot decoction – 5 times a day, 2 tbsp. l.
Aloe juice - three times a day, 3 tbsp. l.
Aqueous infusions of shepherd's purse, tansy, St. John's wort, verbena, oregano.
Onions and garlic - vegetables are added to salads or eaten in their pure form.

Judging by the reviews of women, folk remedies help restore menstruation, which were previously very scanty. However, herbal medicines are prohibited from being taken by teenage girls with an unstable cycle, nursing mothers and mature women in menopause.

If you have a scanty period after taking it, most likely the dosage was violated. Experts prescribe this hormonal drug to regulate the cycle, eliminate pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation and at the stage of pregnancy planning.

Uncontrolled use of pills provokes short periods, similar to light brown daub. A second visit to the doctor will help to regulate menstruation.

Every month, a regular and established menstrual cycle occurs in the body of any woman, which begins with the release of menstruation. Menstruation is a sign of healthy and normal functioning of the female reproductive system. Any deviations from the norm of this cycle will be interpreted as pathological causes. However, this will not always be the case. Scanty and long periods ( hypomenorrhea) can contribute to cycle disruption and cause anxiety and discomfort in their owner. In some cases, this may indicate existing problems and disorders, but there are also situations where this symptom does not pose any danger and is explained by completely harmless reasons.

In a normal state, menstruation lasts from 3 to 6 days, and blood loss is about 50-60 ml with mucus impurities. When your periods are prolonged with scanty discharge and are less than normal, you should seek the help of a gynecologist. A harmless explanation may not be the onset of pregnancy or puberty in young girls. But if prolonged menstruation is accompanied by unabated sensations of pain in the abdominal area, then this will be a signal for emergency medical help.

Possible causes of prolonged menstruation

The main consequence of scanty, prolonged periods is disturbances in the functioning of the ovaries and abnormalities in the functioning of the pituitary gland, which largely regulates the menstrual cycle. Inappropriate production of hormones will cause improper and insufficient blood circulation in the uterus, which subsequently leads to an inferior structure during the period of regulation. In this case, scanty periods occur.

Primary causes of hypomenorrhea:

rapid and severe weight loss due to diet or pathological exhaustion;
impaired metabolism, anemia or vitamin deficiency;
mental disorder or fatigue;
surgery on the genitourinary organs or injury to the reproductive organs during childbirth or abortion;
underdevelopment of the female reproductive system;
influence of hormonal contraceptives;
diseases of the endocrine system;
infectious diseases;
intoxication of the body;
exposure to harmful radiation and chemicals;
, pregnancy or menopause.

Hypomenorrhea - as a symptom of pregnancy

When fertilization of the egg occurs, the level of estrogen in the woman’s body drops and the “pregnancy hormone” - progesterone - begins to be produced. It helps protect the uterine mucosa and securely secure the fertilized egg. For this reason, menstruation during pregnancy is a very rare and undesirable occurrence. However, it happens that menstruation does not stop even during pregnancy, but the nature of the discharge changes slightly. Menstruation often takes on a brown color and is significantly reduced in quantity due to its protracted duration. Why might this happen? Let's look at the reasons:

Read also 🗓 Why are periods dark and scanty?

Limited production of progesterone due to the physiological characteristics of a particular organism. Partial rejection of the mucous membrane and the fetus is possible, and, as a result, failure of the ensuing pregnancy. It is recommended to determine the concentration of progesterone and adjust its level to maintain the next pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancy. If the structure of the endometrium is defective, the fertilized egg is fixed outside the uterine cavity, and more specifically, in its tubes. Because of this, partial rejection of the mucous membrane occurs, and as a fact -.
Improper fetal development. Against the background of developmental pathology, improper attachment or rejection of the fetus occurs. The endometrium is sloughed off and released.
Increased production of androgens. An excess of male sex hormones in the female body leads to fetal rejection and pregnancy failure.
Fertilization of two eggs at the same time. Due to the impossibility of normal attachment, the uterus rejects one of the embryos, which comes out with particles of the rejected mucous membrane in the form of scanty secretions.

You should remember and know that any bleeding during gestation is undesirable and can signal a possible failure and termination of pregnancy. To maintain pregnancy and protect yourself from possible uterine bleeding, it is important to immediately seek medical help.

Breastfeeding and postpartum discharge

During the postpartum period, a woman’s body is cleansed of particles of remaining placenta, thickened blood and other “waste” of the uterus. All this cleansing consists of bloody discharge from the genital tract, and is completed approximately 14 days after birth. But sometimes such prolonged postpartum discharge can signal an inflammatory process and infection.

During this period, the production of progesterone continues, which prevents menstruation. But sometimes cases occur when the hormonal levels are transformed, and scanty, protracted periods are released that do not correspond to the cyclic schedule. After a certain period, menstruation is restored and comes every month at the appointed time.

Poor regulation can also be caused by postpartum depression or stress associated with childbirth.

Pathologies of the reproductive organs as a sign of hypomenorrhea

Scanty long-term regulae, which are predominantly brown in color, may be the result of developing pathology of the uterus and ovaries.

Endometritis is an inflammation of the uterine mucosa.
Endometriosis is changes in the structure of the mucous membrane and its possible growth into the cervix, vagina and abdominal cavity, which is a pathology.
Endometrial hyperplasia is the growth of the uterine mucosa into its muscular walls. In this case, the small vessels of the endometrium are damaged, which is why scanty brownish discharge appears, similar to menstruation.
Ovarian dysfunction – impaired secretion of hormones. Irregularities occur in menstruation, heavy periods are replaced by brown spotting and vice versa.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is the formation of cysts on the ovaries. Hormonal imbalances occur, and as a result, irregular, scanty bleeding occurs.
Uterine polyps are the appearance of overgrown formations on the endometrium. The disease occurs as a result of a serious hormonal imbalance; they are characterized by scanty bloody discharge, which is replaced by severe bleeding.
Infectious diseases that are sexually transmitted can cause abnormal periods.
Tuberculosis of the uterus and ovaries - occurs in the form of endometritis, characterized by long delays and scanty bleeding.

Read also 🗓 Reason for very scanty brown periods

Signs of hypomenorrhea

There are certain signs that characterize the development of hypomenorrhea, the appearance of which is a signal to seek advice from a specialist. Only an experienced gynecologist is able to identify the true causes of scanty periods and prescribe effective treatment. You should immediately look at the amount and color of the discharge: blood discharge that lasts longer than usual, with a volume of less than 50 ml, that has a light or dark brown color - such phenomena will signal the development of hypomenorrhea.

Additional symptoms of hypomenorrhea also include:

headache during menstruation;
pulling;
increased breast sensitivity;
nausea;
dyspeptic disorders.

More often, scanty menstrual flow is accompanied by several symptoms, but exceptions are possible when menstruation passes without accompanying symptoms. In such cases, a medical examination will be required to confirm or refute dangerous pathological factors and disease.

Hypomenorrhea can be an undesirable symptom during pregnancy. Scanty bleeding can threaten termination of pregnancy and provoke miscarriage. Light and prolonged menstruation in the postpartum period may indicate normal physiological cleaning of the uterine cavity or the presence of pathological inflammation in it.

When is treatment required?

If there are pathological abnormalities in the body, it will acquire an abnormal character: discharge that will be less than normal or, on the contrary, very abundant, and its duration will be prolonged for a long time. These malfunctions in the functioning of the female genital organs are signals for urgent medical examination. All of them mean the presence of pathology in the body, and during pregnancy these are symptoms that can lead to pregnancy failure and even infertility.

Hypomenorrhea can occur as a result of hormonal imbalance, and treatment will be aimed at adjusting the production of hormones. Sometimes scanty, prolonged periods will be a symptom of serious illnesses, such as cancer or tuberculosis of the uterus and appendages. In such cases, immediate examination and treatment is important.

Taking into account age-related changes in a woman’s body, the doctor will conduct a full examination and prescribe the necessary medications and procedures.

There are also cases when treatment is not required, and the problem of scanty periods is considered as a cause of puberty in young girls or the period of breastfeeding. Signs that occur along with prolonged menstruation can be suppressed by changing your lifestyle. Taking vitamins, therapeutic massage and special baths can normalize the menstrual cycle.