Menstrual Disorders Cycle Disorders 6 Common Reasons for Lighter Periods By Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH twitter linkedin Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH is a professor, author, childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, and lactation counselor. Learn about our editorial process Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD on July 21, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin instagram Anita Sadaty, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology. She is a clinical assistant professor at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Review Board Anita Sadaty, MD on July 21, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Pregnancy Weight Loss or Gain Stress Birth Control Age Medical Conditions A lighter period than normal can be caused by many things, including pregnancy, stress, illness, and other things. 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, that is sometimes mistaken for a menstrual cycle. It can also be that your period simply is lighter that month. There are numerous reasons that your cycle might be different. Here are a few of the common ones. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin Pregnancy If you experience any form of an abnormal period, take a pregnancy test. A pregnancy test is the best way to tell if you are pregnant or not. This method is not expensive. 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. This can be a home pregnancy test or a pregnancy test from your doctor, midwife, or health department. In most cases, you do not have to notify anyone of the test or the results. Even if you know you're pregnant, if you had a lighter-than-normal period, you should tell your doctor or midwife. This can alter your due date, making you further along or less further along than you had previously thought. Having the wrong date can shift some tests and other parts of your prenatal care. Weight Loss or Gain If you have experienced a sudden shift in weight, this can sometimes affect your menstrual cycle. Over-exercising can also affect your periods, especially when you put a lot of physical stress on the 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 if you have gotten a hormone-emitting 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 intrauterine device, and foams. Be sure to ask your midwife, doctor or local health department 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, it means you are a little less likely to get pregnant. Birth control should still be a consideration 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, however, the 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 D&C procedure. Consult with your doctor if you have a light flow and experience intense cramps. 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 Article 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. Barsom SH - Womens Health Issues (2004) Association between psychological stress and menstrual cycle characteristics in perimenopausal women.pdf. doi:10.1016/j.whi.2004.07.006 Wright KP, Johnson JV. Evaluation of extended and continuous use oral contraceptives. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2008;4(5):905-11. Additional Reading Mayo Clinic. Menstrual Cycle: What's Normal and What's Not.