Decreased menstrual flow, also known scientifically as hypomenorrhea, can occur either by decreasing the volume of menstruation or by reducing the duration of menstruation and is generally not a concern, occurring, in most cases, temporarily, especially during periods of high stress or very intense.exercise, for example.
However, when this condition persists for a long time, it may also indicate that there is a problem that impairs the production of hormones, such as the polycystic ovary, but may also be one of the first signs of pregnancy.The change in menstruation causes doubts, it is very important to consult a gynecologist to try to identify if there are any problems to be treated.
See what the 10 most common menstrual changes are and what they mean
The most common causes of decreased menstrual flow include:
During periods of high stress, such as having to do important work or losing a family member, for example, the body produces a lot of cortisol and adrenaline, when this happens, an excess cortisol prevents the brain from producing the hormones estrogen and adrenaline.progesterone, which are needed to stimulate the menstrual cycle, resulting in a decrease in menstrual flow.
However, after this stress period improves, the menstrual cycle should become more regular, returning to the characteristics it had before.
What to do: It is advisable to try to participate in activities that help relieve stress, such as exercising regularly or having a hobby, for example, in addition to consuming soothing teas such as chamomile, toronjil or valerian.Also avoid worrying about decreased menstruation, as it will build up with the stress of daily life and will continue to cause changes.Discover more natural ways to combat stress.
Throughout life, it is common for the amount of menstruation to change, for example, between the ages of 20 and 30, there is a greater tendency to have less menstruation and even to have spots several times.can also be accompanied by a little more.
However, with the onset of menopause, some women may again experience a decrease in menstrual flow until the cycle stops due to a decrease in the amount of estrogen in the body.
What to do: this is a normal change and therefore should not be a cause for concern, however, in case of doubt, consult the gynecologist.
Sudden weight changes, whether falling or rising, can affect the menstrual cycle, altering not only its regularity, but also the amount of flow.In addition, women with very low weight may have less frequent periods, as several factors can affect menstruation.such as inadequate nutrition, very intense exercise, or higher levels of stress, for example.
What to do: Avoid extreme diets, so that there are no sudden changes in body weight, allowing the body to adapt over time, so the ideal is to always maintain a healthy and balanced diet, avoiding more radical diets, here is an example of what the plan should look like.
Women who exercise a lot also generally experience a reduction in the amount of menstruation, which is usually linked to a combination of factors, including increased stress, low body fat and a decrease in the amount of energy available.
What to do: Ideally, the amount of exercise should be dosed so as not to have an impact on a woman’s health and menstrual cycle, however, athletes may have more difficulty and should talk to the gynecologist if the decrease in flow causes any kind of discomfort.
Menstruation does not occur during pregnancy because the baby develops in the womb; However, some women may experience spots or loss of a small amount of blood during the first few weeks, which may be mistaken for a short period.Understand better why bleeding can occur during pregnancy.
What to do: If you suspect you are pregnant, you should take a pharmacy test or consult your gynecologist for a blood test and confirm this suspicion.
Another relatively common condition that can lead to decreased menstrual flow is the presence of cysts in the ovaries.In these cases, there is an imbalance in hormone levels that can prevent the woman from ovuting, directly affecting the amount of menstrual flow.In these cases, other symptoms may occur, such as hair loss, acne, or ease of weight gain.
What to do: The best way to confirm and treat a polycystic ovary situation is to consult a gynecologist for tests such as an abdominal ultrasound and blood tests.Here’s what you should eat to relieve your symptoms:
Although this is a little rarer, decreased menstruation can also be a sign of hyperthyroidism, in fact, in this condition, the body produces a greater amount of thyroid hormones, which are responsible for increased metabolism, when this happens, the body expends more energy than normal and can cause a constant feeling of anxiety and even weight loss , which eventually affects a woman’s menstrual cycle.
What to do: Hyperthyroidism can be confirmed by a blood test ordered by a family doctor or endocrinologist, as well as an ultrasound.Treatment is usually indicated by your doctor and includes the use of medications to restore normal thyroid hormone levels.hyperthyroidism and its treatment.
Typically, the decrease in the amount of menstruation is not a sign of a health problem, however, there are situations that need to be evaluated by a doctor.
Women who have always had little menstrual flow should not be affected, as the pattern of menstruation varies considerably from woman to woman, including the amount of flow.