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  • Writer's pictureGrace Health

Light Periods-Why You Are Bleeding Less

Updated: Sep 12, 2022

Hi there, from the feedback we receive from our social media pages, we realized most of you had questions regarding less bleeding and whether this is a normal occurrence. In this blog, we will navigate the various reasons for this and give you enough information to keep you well informed on the topic.


Periods can take many forms, and each woman experiences them in her own way. During their period, some women experience terrible discomfort, while others don't feel a thing. Similarly, some women have heavy bleeding, while others don't. It's all a result of variation in nature!


In the same way that every one of us is unique, so are our periods. Having just a few days of bleeding or just a tiny bit of blood throughout your period might be a sign of a reduced amount of bleeding. Bleeding is considered normal when it is less than 80 ml per month for the majority of women. While some experienced less menstruation than others, this is not uncommon. Most women have four to eight days of bleeding and cycle duration of 24 to 35 days.




What Causes This?

For some women, this can be a result of their natural cycle, and for others, it is a result of hormonal contraceptives. The inner lining of your uterus undergoes a renewal cycle which is why you bleed when you have your period. To prepare for an embryo to be implanted, the lining of the uterus thickens during the menstrual cycle. The lining will flow away if the released egg does not get fertilized, allowing a new cycle to begin and a new lining to form. Contraceptive methods often have the goal of reducing this inner lining in order to make it less favourable for embryo implantation.


Spotting can occur as a result of forgetting or taking a tablet late when using oral contraceptives This can happen especially when taking the progestin-only tablet a few hours after your usual pill time. Also, in the first three to six months of using a progestin IUD, spotting and irregular periods are usual. This improves over time and many women eventually experience mild or nonexistent periods. It is important to note that in addition to blood, your period bleedings contain mucus and other remains of the lining.


Is It Normal and When Should I Get Alarmed?

If you've been having lesser bleedings from the beginning of your period, then this is most likely a normal bleeding pattern. You may want to see a doctor for an appointment if you've previously had large bleedings and then notice a substantial decrease in the volume. You should be aware that little bleeding during the menstrual cycle is not always a medical issue! The use of a hormonal contraceptive, such as a hormonal IUD or implant is a cause of less or no bleeding at all.


What Can I Do To Maintain A Healthy Period

A healthy period is one that is neither unusually heavy nor excruciatingly painful, and it occurs on a schedule that is rather consistent. Even though the term "period" is used to describe the bleeding that may happen from the use of hormonal contraceptives such as daily oral pills, the bleeding that may follow from these methods is regular and fairly normal.

The use of a contraceptive may alter the length or frequency of your period in two possible ways:

  1. The number of days you bleed.

  2. The total amount of time you bleed.

The use of hormonal contraceptives with the intention of preventing pregnancy might cause a change in the regularity of a woman's menstrual cycle. Experiencing a moderate quantity of bleeding during your period is often regarded as a positive sign. It is quite rare that you will experience low blood iron levels, which might otherwise lead to a wide range of complications and even be life-threatening if they are severe enough. It is normal for your period to fluctuate, diminish, or even stop altogether if you are using a hormonal contraceptive. If this is the case, you need not be concerned.


Seek medical attention immediately if you suddenly begin to experience light bleeding or if you are trying to conceive and experiencing these symptoms.


Remember to #AskGrace any question regarding your bleeding. We remain a free mobile health app that provides you with information, tailored predictions telemedicine and much more!


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