Light bleeding is also generally associated with a shorter duration of 1 to 2 days. Of course, we know that this is difficult to measure. But there are other ways to establish whether or not your period is light this month, explains OB-GYN and assistant professor at Washington University School of Medicine Dr.
Long periods can be the result of a variety of factors such as health conditions, your age and your lifestyle. Underlying health conditions that can cause long periods include uterine fibroids, endometrial (uterine) polyps, adenomyosis, or more rarely, a precancerous or cancerous lesion of the uterus.
"Heavy" means that your period lasts longer than seven days or that you lose more blood than is typical during menstruation. You may bleed so much that you have to change your tampon or pad every hour for several hours back-to-back. You may pass blood clots the size of a quarter or even larger.
If your period only lasts one or two days, your body may not be making enough oestrogen, which is required to build the endometrium, which is lost during periods when there isn't a pregnancy. “If there is a lack of estrogen in your body, the endometrium would not be thick enough and hence the blood flow would be scant.
“Normal” menstruation can differ widely from woman to woman — anywhere from three to seven days of bleeding is considered normal, and each full menstrual cycle can last anywhere from 21 to 35 days. Three days of bleeding, which may seem short, is still considered normal as long as you're menstruating regularly.
If you notice it only when wiping or can easily absorb any light bleeding with a pantyliner (or even just underwear), it's spotting. If you need a pad or tampon to absorb bleeding between periods, it generally wouldn't be considered spotting.
In most cases, a stop-and-go flow is completely normal. Fluctuating hormones, stress, changes in diet or medication, and weight gain are just a few causes of an irregular menstrual cycle. Certain health conditions may also be the culprit.
Periods can get heavier and more painful for some women after the age of 40. Sometimes it is a nuisance and sometimes it is a cause for concern.
If you suspect your period is lasting longer than usual or you have heavy bleeding with your periods, don't hesitate to contact your doctor. It's important to find the cause of longer or heavier periods to not only rule out more concerning medical conditions but to improve your overall quality of life.
A. If you notice on heavy days of your period that blood seems extra-thick, and can sometimes form a jelly-like glob, these are menstrual clots, a mix of blood and tissue released from your uterus during your period. They can vary in size and color, and usually, they are nothing to worry about.
Most people notice spotting as a few drops of blood on their underwear or toilet paper when wiping. In most cases, spotting should not cause concern. Often, hormonal changes due to birth control, pregnancy, or menopause can trigger it.
According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, a “light” bleed is anything less than 5 ml, which is less than a tablespoon. Light bleeding is also generally associated with a shorter duration of 1 to 2 days.
Your periods may get lighter
“About 60 percent of women older than age 40 begin to experience lighter and more manageable periods,” explains Dr. Einhorn. “Having very light periods or even skipping a period is normal and no reason for concern.
Although it might seem obvious to replace iron after blood loss, it is less well-known that chronic iron deficiency can also cause menorrhagia, abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding. If there are low levels of ferritin – the body's storage repository of iron – menstruation can be prolonged.
High stress levels are associated with: Painful periods. Presence of premenstrual symptoms like nausea, bloating, breast tenderness, and weight changes. Irregular menstrual cycles, with longer or shorter cycles than normal.
Healthy cardio and workout routines can help lighten your period. Exercising also alleviates cramps and bloating because it pumps you up with happy chemicals and lessens water retention. Working out may also reduce the length of your period because stronger muscles help your cycle function faster.
Over time, free bleeding also has a positive effect on the period itself. By menstruating without the use of strange prodcuts inside the body, menstruation is given back its naturalness. Less menstrual pain and a shortened menstrual period, for example, are health benefits of free bleeding.
Shortened cycles can be an indication that the ovaries contain fewer eggs than expected. This is typically a pattern seen in women in the years leading up to perimenopause. Alternatively, a short cycle could indicate that ovulation is not occurring.
Circulating estrogen: A decrease in circulating estrogen can also lead to light periods. “Estrogen plumps up the endometrium, so if estrogen is low, that lining doesn't plump up and results in less bleeding,” says Twogood.
Many different things can cause a short period cycle. People's cycles vary and small changes are common. But, a severe shortening of a period cycle may indicate an underlying health condition. A typical menstrual flow lasts 3–5 days, but cycles as short as 1 day and as long as 8 days are considered normal.