If you have a heavy or even normal cycle and suddenly find yourself with light menstruation and a different appearance, you might be worried. Is it a problem? Could light menstruation be a sign of pregnancy? Will it stay like this every cycle? You see, what determines the amount of blood that comes out during menstruation is the thickness of the endometrium. But what is the endometrium?
Endometrium: a layer of blood resulting from the body’s natural hormonal changes, made up of blood and ready to receive a fertilized egg (zygote).
The endometrial layer is related to the increase in estrogen and progesterone in different phases, before and after ovulation1. If this increase is not significant in a specific cycle or, if by chance, hormones are imbalanced, it is possible for menstruation to be lighter than usual and also have a different appearance.
Therefore, a woman with a heavy cycle and clots of bright red blood can have a lighter flow with a paler color or brownish aspect because of the state of the endometrium.
Light menstruation can also occur due to external factors such as the use of birth control pills or medications that are hormone-based. Injectable contraceptives, implanted contraceptives, hormonal IUDs, and ovulation inducers, for example. Another possibility is that herbal medicines are causing this effect in the body. Consuming yam, yam tea, or even capsules, for example, can cause such a reaction, as can Uxi amarelo, but this is not a rule for all users.
Stress and emotional factors can also cause changes in the menstrual cycle2, such as increasing the volume and frequency of spotting, which can be mistaken for menstruation. Ovulation bleeding can also cause this confusion but is more common in women who have ovulatory cycles with large, fluid-filled follicles.
Is Light Menstruation a Sign of Pregnancy?
Not always—in fact, most of the time, light menstruation, even with a much reduced flow, is actually menstruation and not pregnancy. For the reasons mentioned above, a woman may have a change in her flow and, as a result, start to think about pregnancy.
Actually, this happens because people often hear stories from friends, sisters, or acquaintances who had scant “menstruation” during pregnancy. However, a pregnant woman does not menstruate. What occurs is bleeding due to low hormone levels, usually around the time her period would normally occur and sometimes over several months. However, this bleeding isn’t good and puts the ongoing pregnancy at risk.
There is also the possibility of implantation3. But this should be considered a last possibility so as not to raise expectations in a woman who apparently just has light menstruation. It’s worth noting that implantation is characterized by minimal bleeding, with no flow, and may last about 1 to 3 days at most. On the other hand, light menstruation has a flow, even if minimal, and blood reaches the pad or underwear, leaving a noticeably sized stain. Suspect you might be pregnant? Take a test!
Now, if your flow continues to be low, unlike what it used to be, then it’s best to see a doctor to check what might be happening. If you take birth control medication, it is normal to have reduced flow and possible to only have menstruation that looks like coffee grounds or “drips,” as some women describe. This happens because of hormonal changes, but when in doubt, consult your doctor.
Important Tip: For women trying to get pregnant, knowing the exact day of ovulation can really help. That’s why it’s very beneficial to use LH detection tests, and Famivita has these ovulation tests available here.
Also see: Menstruation with Skin Pieces, Now What?
