Menstrual Disorders Cycle Disorders 6 Common Reasons for Lighter Periods By Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH LinkedIn Twitter Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH is a professor, author, childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, and lactation counselor. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 04, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Anita Sadaty, MD Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Pregnancy Weight Loss or Gain Stress Birth Control Age Medical Conditions Frequently Asked Questions A lighter period than normal can be caused by many things, including pregnancy, stress, and illness. Sometimes a woman will have spotting and think her period is about to start and not see any more bleeding. This can be implantation bleeding, which is the earliest sign of pregnancy, but it can also be that your period is lighter that month. There are numerous reasons why your period is lighter than usual. This article covers a few of the common ones. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin Pregnancy If your period seems unusual in any way, take a pregnancy test. Pregnancy is the most likely cause of something being different in your cycle, particularly if you have not been using birth control. To get the best results, it might be best to wait until you miss your next period. You can take a home pregnancy test or see your healthcare provider to get tested. In most cases, you do not have to tell anyone about the test or the results until you are ready. If you had a lighter-than-normal period, you should tell your doctor or midwife, even if you know you are pregnant. This can alter your expected due date, making you further along or less further along than you thought. Having the wrong date can shift some tests and other parts of your prenatal care. Weight Loss or Gain If you have suddenly gained or lost a lot of weight, you may see a change in your menstrual cycle. Exercising too much can also affect your periods because it puts a lot of physical stress on your body. Can Weight Gain or Loss Change Your Period? Stress Emotional stress, such as the loss of a loved one, or major life stressors in work or your home life can take a toll on your body and affect your menstrual cycle. Birth Control Going on hormonal birth control can also cause a change in your period. It is not uncommon for women to experience lighter-than-usual periods and shorter periods while on a birth control pill or after getting a hormonal IUD, such as Mirena. If a change in your period bothers you, you can stop using hormone-based contraceptives. There are hormone-free options for birth control including male and female condoms, a non-hormonal IUD device, and spermicidal foams. Be sure to ask your midwife or doctor for advice on the method that is best for you. Compare Birth Control Choices Age If you are getting older, your periods may shift. You may be pre-menopausal. This does not mean you are no longer fertile, just that you are less likely to get pregnant. If you do not want to get pregnant, you should still use birth control until menopause. What to Expect As Menopause Approaches Medical Conditions There are medical conditions, such as cervical stenosis or Asherman's syndrome, that may cause a lighter flow than expected, though cramping may still occur. For example, cervical stenosis is uncommon, but it can cause menstrual blood to get trapped in the uterus. Asherman's syndrome is caused by uterine scarring following a dilation and curettage procedure (D&C), in which tissues from the uterus are removed. Consult with your doctor if you have a lighter period than normal but are still having intense cramps. Summary Your period can be lighter than normal due to natural reasons, such as pregnancy or increasing age. It can also be lighter because of the birth control you are using, particularly if you are taking hormonal birth control pills or using a hormonal IUD. If your period seems off and you're not sure why, let your doctor know. A Word From Verywell Even if your periods seem consistent, it's a good idea to take note of your period each month—how heavy it is, what period symptoms you are having, and how many days your period lasts. Consider downloading a period tracker app on your smartphone, or simply taking notes about your period in your calendar. This way, if something is unusual about your period one month, you'll be more likely to notice. Frequently Asked Questions Can you have a period while pregnant? No, you cannot have a period while pregnant. However, it is possible to have bleeding occur during pregnancy. In fact, some bleeding in early pregnancy is not unusual. However, a healthcare provider should be notified just in case it is something serious. Late pregnancy bleeding can be a sign of something more serious and warrants calling a healthcare provider immediately. Why is my menstrual cycle getting shorter? Aging is one reason for a shortened menstrual cycle. Starting in their 40's, some people can experience an irregular menstrual cycle that is shorter or longer than usual. It is also possible for a period to go away for a few months and then reappear. If you are at all worried about your menstrual cycle, contact your healthcare provider. Can you make your period lighter? Yes, it is possible to make your period lighter. Regular exercise causes hormonal changes to occur which may result in a lighter period. Weight loss that accompanies exercise can also lead to a lighter period. In some cases, intense exercise performed regularly may even stop periods from happening. However, the opposite is also a possibility - intense exercise can result in bleeding that happens while you are not on your period. Learn More: How Exercise May Change Your Period What is considered a light period flow? What is considered a light period flow will differ from one person to another. That said, on average there are about two or three tablespoons of blood lost by a person on their period. Some people may have lighter periods than the average, while others can have heavier periods. This can also change from one month to the next. Why Is My Period Late While I'm on Birth Control? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Nelson AL, Massoudi N. New developments in intrauterine device use: focus on the US. Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7(1):127-141. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Bleeding During Pregnancy. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women's Health. Your Menstrual Cycle.