What would cause a really light menstrual cycle?
970508
It can be caused by stress.  even if you don't think you are stressed there could be something that is bothering you just enough to screw up your cycle!  Also age....When I was younger my cycles were so heavy, but now that I am almost 30 it has started to slow down.
234842
What you have is called amenorrhea (failure to menstruate).  I have a friend with the same problem.  Her doctors can't figure out why either, but here are some reasons why women's might not get their period.  \n\nThe number-one cause of irregular or skipped periods is emotional stress. It's not really understood why stress can cause you to miss a cycle, but a missed cycle is considered a protective mechanism, a sort of prehistoric parachute in the female body. The body senses the stress level and decides somehow to stop ovulation for that month, preventing a "stressed" pregnancy.\n\nOverdieting and overexercising can also affect your cycle. For example, sudden weight loss could cause you to miss your period or cause a long bout of irregular cycles. Overexercising can also cause you to miss your period, and it's actually not unusual for female athletes to stop menstruating when they're in training.\n\nAnother cause of irregular cycles could be a thyroid disorder of some sort. The thyroid gland regulates your metabolism by secreting thyroid hormone. When the gland is overactive (and secretes too much thyroid hormone), known as hyperthyroidism, you can either miss periods or have a much longer cycle than normal.\n\nIn all other cases of a stopped or stunted menstrual cycle, progesterone supplements will remedy it.
475555
It could be your cycle is changing, or your cycle got weird due to outside factors like a change in diet or stress. Look back and see if this has happened before in previous months and also look at this month and previous months to see if there are any outside factors.
1083997
I have found that this question of yours is NOT that unusual. When the menses begin...and each of them in your life is 'Different', there can be a starting of the menstruation cycle itself in a variety of ways. Much of this depends upon your basic health and regularity of your period, and if there is anything that is exacerbating stress, dietary factors, trauma.....these amongst many others can play a vital role in your period. The older blood is just that, and when the heavier flow comes out it brings with it the rest of this....often seen as brown and nearly grainy. Perhaps the thought of this in text is making you queasy and that is NOT my intention. It is NOT unusual for the body to start up....spot a day or two before hand and then begin the menstrual flow in its regular sequence or shall I say what is regular for you. You know your body better than anyone, and depending upon your age....other factors intervene. Age is one, again diet and exercise. Ask yourself if you're tired before this or perhaps amped ...we are ALL different. If there is a continuation of the more 'brown' or older blood, I recommed that you see a Physician....get a pelvic...for perhaps for whatever reason you might be a candidate for a D&C. Are your menses painful? If only periodically I have found that the comfort at home is warmth. Do not be afraid to soak...that is to bathe. This is hailed often, the menses as a curse, wherein it is nature's way of cleansing your uterus. It is important to at this point to say please keep your regular checkups with your gynocologist and allow your doctor to have a talk with any of your questions. I know that for myself what you have mentioned is in no way unusual. Please understand that you're NOT to keep from your physical regimen...unless you are tired..and please keep up your fluid intake.\nYour doctor will be the one to know and it might serve you well to keep a diary or small calendar in your drawer or medicine cabinet as to the regularity or the sometimes "I didnt quite expect this.." questions...all of this is important. As for a heavier flow, there is still no certainty that there will be a stopping or forestallig of the older blood. Please remember that it's your body and your own inherent body clock or circaddian rhythms dictate a lot of what is to happen to you during this time. I am not your doctor...this is merely my take from past experience and knowing many women who experience the very same thing. for now, I wouldn't worry, were I you, just keep track of this and see if there is any change in tha amount of days and flow. In conclusion, it sounds as though you are healthy, and don't rule "IN" a problem unless advised by your physician. Lastly if pain of any sort accompnies this, please inform your doctor for they can and very often WILL do a pelvic during your period. Should any problem persist, they will ( your doctor's office) refer you to a specialist if there is due cause. In and of all of this there may be the occasional fibroid or cyst. This is whyit is vital that you make and keep your appointments with your doctor.
698159
I really wouldn't worry to much about it if I were you.  Sometimes that just happens.  You get lucky and have light periods.  \n\nIt could be because you are dieting and have lost a lot of weight, because changes to the body like that can cause more changes with our monthlies.  Don't worry to much and if you are worried go to the doctor and get checked out but I believe it is just a change in the body.
724678
You do not lose enough blood during your period for that to matter.\nYou can always ask your doctor.
407255
all girls cycles are different i bleed alot more on than off most are as long as 2-3 months with only 4 days stopped its normal for some to not bleed at all or very light just to be on safe side pop to doctors it may be nothing but might put your mind at ease
529558
Period abnormalities can be due to many things including pregnancy, weight gain/loss, hormonal imbalance, thyroid, polyp, cyst, illness, infection, amongst other reasons.  If you are changing one pad or tampon in an hour this warrants an immediate trip to the ER as this can lead to anemia.  As any bleeding over 10 days warrants a trip to see your doctor, please see your doctor asap to determine what the exact cause may be.
482867
Maybe nothing. It could be stress that's making you have another period. If you have abnormal bleeding or cramping you may want to see a doctor.
1180728
Stress and weight changes can cause you to skip periods every once in a while. See your doctor if you think it's something else.
143209
In my experience this has happened before but not often. usually my next cycle is normal and usually it happens if there is alot of stress in my life. I would not worry about it, you cannot be regular all the time.
759003
yes stress can make big changes in your period, as can increased or decreased exercise.  heck, just be happy it's lighter for a change!
231412
Diet, exercise and stress could all be factors.  If you know, for sure that you are not pregnant then I wouldn't worry about it too much.  But, if another month goes by and still no sign of it, I'd call the doctor right away.
1003855
I wear a tampon and a pad when it is like that.  Yours sounds extra heavy, though.  You should ask your doctor about medications that can help make it lighter and more pleasant to deal with.  I'm sorry you have to do that!
255415
I just want to add about effect of stress to menstruation. Stress is causing an unbalanced hormone production, not to mention reproduction hormone, such as FSH & estrogen. So, when becoming unbalanced, the amount of those hormones (either lack or overdose)can effect metabolisme, including period cycle. Some women would have period twice per month, some women would have period once in 2 months, so it depends on each individuals. Reactions could be different.
1137979
Almost all women, at some time in their reproductive life, experience heavy bleeding during a period. It should be noted, however, that while 30% of premenopausal women complain of heavy bleeding, only 10% experience blood loss severe enough to be defined as menorrhagia. Many women, in fact, complain of heavy menstrual bleeding but their bleeding is actually normal. (On the other hand, some women with a family history of bleeding disorders might have menorrhagia but think it is normal.) During normal menstruation women lose about 2 ounces (60 mL) of blood or less.\n\nAlmost all women, at some time in their reproductive life, experience heavy bleeding during a period. In some cases the cause of heavy bleeding is unknown, but number of conditions can cause menorrhagia or contribute to the risk. Certain characteristics are associated with a higher risk for menorrhagia:\n\nBeing taller. \nBeing older. (Women who are approaching menopause may experience occasional menorrhagia.) \nHaving a higher number of pregnancies. \nDysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is a general term for abnormal bleeding caused by hormonal abnormalities and is one of the primary causes of menorrhagia. In many cases, DUB occurs either when a girl just starting to menstruate or as women approach menopause, but it can occur at any time in during a woman's reproductive life.\n\nAnovulatory DUB. About 90% of DUB events occur when ovulation is not occuring (anovulatory DUB). In such cases, women do not properly develop and release a mature egg. When this happens, the corpus luteum, which is a mound of tissue that produces progesterone, does not form. As a result, estrogen is produced continuously, causing an overgrowth of the uterus lining. The period is delayed in such cases, and when it occurs menstruation can be very heavy and prolonged. Sometimes anovulatory DUB is due to a delay in the full maturation of the reproductive system in teenagers. Usually, however, the mechanisms are unknown.\n\nOn theory involves angiogenesis, which is the process that involves production of new blood vessels. In a woman reproductive life, angiogenesis is important for the repair and growth of the uterine lining. Some research suggests that imbalances in certain immune factors and growth hormones can affect angiogenesis and may be responsible for some cases of menorrhagia.\n\nOvulatory DUB. The other 10% of cases occur in women who are ovulating, but progesterone secretion is prolonged because estrogen levels are low. This causes irregular shedding of the uterine lining and break-through bleeding. Some evidence has associated ovulatory DUB with more fragile blood vessels in the uterus.\n\nFibroids are the other important known causes of menstrual bleedings Bleeding disorders that impair blood clotting can cause heavy menstrual bleeding and, according to different studies, have been associated with between 10% and 17% of menorrhagia cases. Von Willebrand's disease, a genetic condition, is the most common of these bleeding disorders and may be underdiagnosed in many women with unexplained menorrhagia. Most studies report this problem to be more common in African-American than Caucasian women.\n\nOther rare disorders that impair blood platelets and clotting factors can also account for some cases of menorrhagia. Most bleeding disorders have a genetic basis and should be suspected in adolescent girls who experience heavy bleeding.\n\nStructural problems or other abnormalities in the uterus may cause bleeding. They include the following.\n\nMiscarriage. An isolated instance of heavy bleeding usually after the period due date may be due to a miscarriage. If the bleeding occurs at the usual time of menstruation, however, miscarriage is less likely to be a cause. \nUterine polyps. (These are small benign growths in the uterus.) \nAdenomyosis. This condition occurs when glands from the uterine lining become embedded in the uterine muscle. Its symptoms are nearly identical to fibro
730031
it's just that your body is taking longer to expel the fluid.  if your period's getting slower/lighter from the pills this totally explains it.  I am at the point where it's so light I can't use a tampon and it only lasts 3 days.  you should be having less cramps, too, which is part of what moves it along and out of your body.  try drinking more water (even tough you might bloat a little it will keep your internal tissue moister and will encourage movement.) as blood begins to dry and is exposed to air it changes color, that's all.