What can cause a short period? Explore the various reasons behind short menstrual cycles, including perimenopause, PCOS, breastfeeding, endometriosis, birth control changes, and more. Get expert advice on when to see a doctor for changes in your menstrual cycle.

Causes of Short Periods: Unraveling the Underlying Factors

The average menstrual cycle lasts between 2 and 7 days, and a cycle that lasts at least 2 days is considered medically normal. However, there are times when a person may experience a shorter period duration, which can be due to a variety of reasons.

Perimenopause: A Natural Transition

Perimenopause, the transitional period leading up to menopause, is a common cause of shorter or less frequent menstrual cycles. During this time, women may notice changes in their cycles, such as skipping periods, night sweats, vaginal dryness, interrupted sleep, and hot flashes.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Hormonal Imbalance

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone imbalance that affects approximately 10% of women of childbearing age. PCOS can disrupt ovulation, leading to irregular periods, including shorter cycles. Other symptoms of PCOS include infertility, excess hair growth, and oily skin.

Breastfeeding: Temporary Hormone Suppression

Breastfeeding can cause a delay in ovulation, which can lead to shorter or less frequent periods. This is because the body suppresses ovulation hormones by producing alpha-lactalbumin, lactose synthesis, and prolactin. A normal cycle typically returns when breastfeeding stops, but the cycles may be shorter than usual due to fluctuating hormones.

Endometriosis: Implantation and Bleeding

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, vagina, bowels, or bladder. This can lead to spotting or bleeding between periods, which can be mistaken for a shorter period. Endometriosis can also cause other symptoms like digestive problems, pain, and infertility.

Birth Control Changes: Hormonal Fluctuations

Switching methods of birth control can impact the length of a person’s menstrual cycle. Differences in the hormones used in various birth control methods can affect the duration and flow of the period.

Uterine Scarring: A Rare Condition

Asherman syndrome, a rare condition characterized by scarring in the uterus, can result in shorter menstrual cycles. This scarring, often caused by multiple dilation and curettage (D&C) procedures, can limit the areas of the uterus capable of bleeding, leading to shorter cycles.

Thyroid Disorders: Hormonal Imbalances

The thyroid gland, regulated by the pituitary-hypothalamus axis of the brain, plays a role in menstruation and ovulation. Imbalances in thyroid hormones, both overactive (hyperthyroidism) and underactive (hypothyroidism), can impact the menstrual cycle, including shorter periods.

Pregnancy: Early Implantation Bleeding

Bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy is not uncommon and can be mistaken for a shorter menstrual cycle if it occurs midway between ovulation and the expected period, known as implantation bleeding.

Anovulatory Cycle: Lack of Ovulation

An anovulatory cycle is when the ovaries do not release an egg. This is most common in women approaching menopause and can lead to irregular and shorter periods. Symptoms of an anovulatory cycle may include fever, chills, pelvic pain, and bladder dysfunction.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you experience sudden changes in your menstrual cycle, including a significant shortening of your period, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider. They can help determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment or management strategies. Contact your healthcare provider if you have pain, changes in your cycle, or are trying to get pregnant, as alterations in the menstrual cycle can be a sign of underlying health conditions or fertility issues.

It’s important to note that each person’s menstrual cycle is unique, and small variations in the length and flow of a period are generally considered normal. However, if you notice a drastic change in your cycle, it’s best to seek medical advice to ensure your overall health and well-being.

What Can Cause a Short Period?

The average menstrual cycle lasts between two and seven days. A cycle that lasts at least two days is considered medically normal and each person’s cycle is unique.  There are times that brief spotting can occur, which isn’t an actual period and can reveal that ovulation didn’t happen. If the length of your period changes to a shorter duration, there are a variety of reasons including:  

Perimenopause: Usually occurring in women in the decade prior to menopause, women can notice changes in their cycles, especially shorter or less frequent cycles. Other symptoms include skipping periods, night sweats, vaginal dryness, interrupted sleep and hot flashes. 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): This hormone imbalance impacts almost 10% of women who are of childbearing years. PCOS can stop a woman’s ovulation or alter the duration of a menstrual cycle.  Symptoms of this condition can include infertility, excess hair growth, irregular periods and oily skin.  There are treatments that include taking hormonal birth control. 

Breastfeeding: Delaying ovulation for as long as 18 months while breastfeeding, the body suppresses ovulation hormones by producing alpha-lactalbumin, lactose synthesis and prolactin.  Generally, a normal cycle returns when breastfeeding stops, but it may be shorter than normal due to fluctuating hormones.

Endometriosis: This occurs when tissue that is like the uterine tissue grows on the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, vagina, bowels, bladder and beyond.  It often causes spotting or bleeding between periods, so it is often thought of as a short period.  Digestive problems, pain and infertility can be other symptoms of endometriosis. 

Birth Control Changes: If you have switched methods of birth control, it could impact your cycle.  Hormonal differences in types of birth control could impact the length of a period, like when you take the pill.  If you’re using the hormonal IUD, it may lighten the flow or stop a period completely.  

Uterine Scarring: A rare condition known as Asherman syndrome can result in shorter cycles.  Scarring in the uterus due to multiple dilation and curettage procedures results in short cycles because only the non-scarred areas of the uterus will be capable of bleeding.  This condition is diagnosed by hysteroscopy and the scars could be removed surgically to return the flow to normal and improve conception. 

Thyroid Disorder: Regulated in the pituitary-hypothalamus axis of the brain, the thyroid gland is in the area that regulates menstruation and ovulation.  If one area of the axis is impacted, the others may be as well. Overactive and underactive thyroid issues are easily diagnosed via testing and impact both your overall health and fertility.

Pregnancy: Bleeding during the first trimester is not uncommon, although should be checked out. It could be mistaken for a shorter cycle if it occurs midway between ovulation and when a period is expected, otherwise known as implantation bleeding. 

Anovulatory Cycle: Simply known as when the ovaries do not release an egg.  It most usually happens in women approaching menopause. If you do not ovulate, your period can become irregular. Symptoms include fever, chills, pelvic pain and bladder dysfunction. 

Call (631) 638-4600 to make an appointment if you have pain, if your cycle suddenly becomes shorter, or if you are trying to get pregnant as changes in the menstrual cycle can be a sign of fertility issues. 

Causes and when to see a doctor

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.

Sometimes, an individual may have brief spotting, or light bleeding, at a time of the month when they do not normally bleed. This may be implantation bleeding, a normal sign of early pregnancy that happens when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus.

However, in some cases, irregular bleeding may indicate a condition such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Read more to learn about the possible causes of a short period, when to contact a doctor, and more.

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Each person’s menstrual flow varies in length and frequency. Doctors consider flows within the range of 3–5 days normal.

The typical amount of blood lost is 30 milliliters, which equates to about 1/8 of a cup. However, heavier and lighter bleeding are generally normal if they are consistently a person’s usual flow.

If a person has a short cycle, they should ask themselves: “Is this normal for me?”

When a person’s cycles are normally short, it is likely nothing to be worried about. However, if it is unusual, or a person has other sudden changes in their period, they may want to contact a doctor.

There are many causes of a short or light period. The following conditions and occurrences may cause either a short cycle or light bleeding that may be mistaken for a short period.

Pregnancy

Some people have spotting during pregnancy, which they may mistake for a short period. This does not necessarily suggest a problem during the early stages of pregnancy, as 15–25% of pregnant people bleed during the first trimester.

Spotting or light bleeding may occur 1–2 weeks after fertilization when the egg attaches to the uterine lining. This is called implantation bleeding.

Additionally, it is not uncommon to have light cervical bleeding during early pregnancy. Because more blood vessels are developing in this area, light spotting can occur.

Pregnancy loss

Pregnancy loss is relatively common, happening in up to 26% of pregnancies. Although bleeding can be normal during pregnancy, it may sometimes indicate a problem.

If bleeding occurs early in a person’s pregnancy, it can indicate pregnancy loss. This may start as light spotting, but usually gets heavier. A person experiencing a pregnancy loss may also have painful abdominal cramps and tissue discharge.

Symptoms of pregnancy loss may include:

• mild to severe back pain
• painful contractions every 5–20 minutes
• white-pink mucus discharge
• clot-like tissue discharge

In some cases, an ectopic pregnancy can cause bleeding. This is when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. If the fallopian tube ruptures, it can cause bleeding and severe pain. People experiencing this should seek immediate medical attention.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause refers to the years leading up to menopause, which is when a menstruating person stops having monthly periods. Perimenopause usually begins when a person is in their 30s or 40s.

During perimenopause, the ovaries produce varying amounts of the hormone estrogen, which causes menstrual cycle changes. It can make a person’s cycle longer or shorter and make their flow lighter or heavier. Additionally, it can cause a person to skip periods.

Other perimenopause symptoms may include:

• hot flashes
• difficulty sleeping
• night sweats
• vaginal dryness

Anovulatory cycle

An anovulatory cycle happens when a menstruating person’s ovaries do not release an egg. This can cause irregular and heavy bleeding. It is common in young people who have just started menstruating and perimenopausal individuals. When the ovaries do not release an egg, it may cause bleeding due to changes in hormone levels.

Symptoms of an anovulatory cycle include:

• irregular periods
• skipped periods
• lighter or heavier bleeding
• infertility

PCOS

According to the Office on Women’s Health, PCOS is a hormone imbalance affecting 1 in 10 females of childbearing age. It occurs when a hormonal imbalance prevents the ovaries from developing or releasing monthly eggs.

PCOS can cause infertility and the growth of benign cysts on the ovaries.

Symptoms of PCOS may include:

• irregular menstrual periods
• excess hair growth
• weight gain
• acne
• thinning hair

Endometriosis

Endometriosis happens when endometrial tissue — similar to the uterine lining — grows outside the uterus. It is relatively common, affecting more than 11% of females in the United States aged 15–44.

The tissue usually grows in the pelvic area, often on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and around the uterus. It may also grow in the vagina, bowels, bladder, rectum, and cervix.

During a person’s menstrual cycle, this endometrial tissue swells and bleeds like the uterine lining. This can cause severe menstrual cramps as well as irregular and heavy bleeding.

Other symptoms include:

• pain during or after sex
• chronic low back or pelvic pain
• painful urination or bowel movements during menstruation
• bloating
• diarrhea
• nausea

Birth control

People who use birth control may experience breakthrough bleeding, which is a small amount of bleeding when they are not expecting their monthly period.

This can happen with the use of any type of birth control, but occurs more often with:

• the implant, which is a tiny rod that releases hormones
• low-dose and very low-dose birth control pills
• hormonal IUDs, small T-shaped devices placed in the cervix

Temporary reduction in fertility

Bleeding that occurs outside of menstruation is called intermenstrual bleeding. According to a 2016 study, this is common. Doctors believe hormone imbalances or structural abnormalities, like benign growths, cause this bleeding.

The study authors analyzed data from the menstrual cycle of 549 females to see whether there was a link between intermenstrual bleeding and infertility. They found that there was a connection — people with intermenstrual bleeding were less likely to get pregnant during that menstrual cycle.

However, the bleeding did not affect their chances of becoming pregnant in future cycles. This means that if a person has infrequent intermenstrual bleeding, it likely does not affect their overall fertility. However, if a person frequently has this bleeding, they may want to contact a doctor, as there may be an underlying cause.

Individuals should contact a doctor if they experience:

• periods that become irregular after being regular
• periods that occur less than every 38 days or more than every 24 days
• menstrual blood flow that contains blood clots larger than a quarter
• pelvic pain when they are not menstruating
• bleeding when they are not menstruating
• particularly heavy bleeding
• skipping a period for three months

A short menstrual flow is usually not a cause for concern if that is a person’s average cycle time. However, if this is a change from their normal cycles, there may be an underlying cause.

Many conditions and occurrences can cause a short period of bleeding. Pregnancy, pregnancy loss, endometriosis, anovulatory bleeding, and PCOS can all cause short spells of bleeding that people may mistake for a period.

A person may want to contact a doctor if their periods suddenly become irregular after being regular, they experience pain or bleeding when they are not menstruating, or they have particularly heavy bleeding.

Monthly 2 days. Worth a look

Comment from an expert
Gynecologist Anastasia Degteva

“There is no lower limit when determining the abundance of discharge. However, if the nature of menstruation has changed dramatically, then you should immediately take a pregnancy test and consult a doctor. Most often this is temporary and will go away on its own, but it is best to make sure that the change in cycle is not a symptom of the conditions described above. The doctor will conduct an examination, make an ultrasound of the uterus and appendages, sometimes additional tests are required.”

Most women’s periods usually last 3 to 7 days, with an average cycle of 28 days. However, every woman is different, and normal periods are periods that you regularly have. Therefore, if your period always lasts 2-3 days, then this is not a cause for concern – this is a kind of norm.

The length and profuseness of menstruation can vary depending on many life factors, but if such changes occur suddenly and abruptly, then it is quite normal to worry about it.

It is very important to keep track of your cycle and note changes, if any. Most cycle failures are caused by harmless causes, but there are those that are associated with pathology.

Possible physiological causes of short periods:

Pregnancy and lactation

Short bleeding, which is similar to menstruation, can occur as a result of the attachment of a fertilized egg to the uterus and is called implantation bleeding. It occurs approximately 10-14 days after fertilization, occurs in 15-25% of pregnant women. This bleeding usually lasts 1-2 days and is less heavy than normal menstruation. The blood is usually light pink in color or vice versa dark brown.

When breastfeeding, periods may not return for several months after childbirth and may initially be shorter or longer than usual.

Age characteristics

In different periods of life, the menstrual cycle may change due to changes in the hormonal background: first of all, this applies to puberty and perimenopause.

During puberty, hormone levels begin to change within a month and it may take several years to establish a regular cycle. During this period, the duration of menstruation and the length of the cycle may vary.

During premenopause, the body prepares for its last menstrual cycle. Hormone production is reduced and a typical symptom is an irregular cycle.

Stress and excessive physical activity

If you spend more calories than you take in for a long time, your body can enter starvation mode, in which the calories consumed are spent on critical functions at the expense of others, such as the production of reproductive hormones.

Taking hormonal contraceptives or changing them

Hormonal contraceptives, including coils and shots, may cause short or less heavy periods and cause some bleeding in the middle of a cycle. The same features and intrauterine devices.

Taking medicines, herbs or dietary supplements

In addition to OCs, other medications taken may also affect periods. For example, antidepressants, thyroid medications, steroids, certain herbs (such as ginseng), and many cancer medications can shorten periods.

Short periods as symptoms of pathological conditions

Unfortunately, short periods can also be associated with many health problems that require medical attention.

Miscarriage

Miscarriage is a spontaneous termination of pregnancy that results in the loss of embryonic tissue or the fetus. A significant proportion of miscarriages occur in the early stages, even before a woman realizes that she is pregnant. That is why they are often confused with menstruation. Other symptoms may also appear:

• Spotting or drops of blood

• Abdominal pain

• Atypical discharge (tissue, clots, fluids) from the vagina

Polycystic ovaries

In this condition, the body produces too many male hormones that suppress ovulation and because of this, menstruation becomes irregular or disappears altogether.

Other symptoms include:

• Acne

• Changing the timbre of the voice to the lower register (deeper, lower)

• Excessive and unusual pattern of hair growth, especially on the face

• Difficulties with conception

• Weight kit

Polycystic disease is not a condition requiring immediate treatment, but if you have these symptoms, the sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can find treatment that minimizes the symptoms of this condition.

Thyroid disorders

These disorders result in over or under production of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones also affect the menstrual cycle and can cause various disruptions, including causing short periods.

• Symptoms depend on the type of disorder but may include the following:

• Decreased or elevated heart rate

• Abundant or scanty menses

• Weight gain or loss

• Drowsiness or insomnia

• Mood swings

These are the main pathological causes of short and scanty periods, but sometimes they can be associated with much more dangerous health conditions and diseases

Asherman’s syndrome

In this rare health condition, fibrous tissue grows in the uterus, which is characteristic of scars. The growth of fibrous tissue in the uterus can cause cycle failures or even their skipping. This rare condition most often occurs in women who have experienced surgery, miscarriage, and uterine cleansing. Since bleeding can only occur in healthy areas of the uterus, the most common symptom is scanty periods or even amenorrhea.

Other symptoms:

Sheehan syndrome

Sheehan’s syndrome is a complication after childbirth that occurs with a large loss of blood and critically low blood pressure. In countries with access to medicine, this complication is extremely rare. Sheehan’s syndrome leads to insufficient production of pituitary hormones, which causes cycle delays and failures.

Other symptoms:

• Low blood pressure

• Weight set

• Increased fatigue

• Difficulties with breastfeeding

• No growth of pubic hair

Cervical stenosis

Cervical stenosis is a rare condition in which the cervix is ​​abnormally narrowed. It usually develops as a complication after surgery. With this narrowing of the cervix, the menstrual flow cannot flow normally, causing delayed periods and abdominal pain.

Premature ovarian failure syndrome

Premature ovarian failure or failure syndrome occurs when the ovaries stop functioning normally before the age of 40, also called early menopause. If the ovaries are not working properly, they will not be able to produce the normal amount of estrogen and release an egg each month, which can lead to cycle delays and failures.

Other symptoms may include:

• Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) or irregular cycle

• Sudden feeling of heat, flushes

• Infertility

• Vaginal dryness, insufficient lubrication

When should I see a doctor?

If you are pregnant or suspect you are pregnant and you experience unexpected bleeding, you should call an ambulance immediately.

In other cases, it makes sense to first look at the dynamics and consult a doctor if there are oddities in the next one or two cycles. Be sure to keep track of your cycle and unusual changes, if any (such as drowsiness, fast or slow heart rate, weight loss or gain, unusual hair growth, acne, etc.). It is convenient to do this in

cycle tracker app.

All of this information can help your doctor make a diagnosis.

Question to the doctor: “I have scanty periods – is this the norm or a pathology?”

• Health

October 31, 2022

Source:

iStockphoto

“My period only lasts two or three days and is very scanty. My friends are jealous that I only buy panty liners, but I’m worried, what if I’m sick with something?

Irina, 28 years old.

When scanty periods are normal…

– Scanty menstruation, or hypomenstrual syndrome, – blood discharge in quantity below the physiological norm, – appear as smearing brown or pink discharge during menstruation and are often accompanied by a reduction in their duration to 2-3 days. Quite often it is enough to change panty liners.

If menstruation is scanty initially, this may be a variant of the norm and does not affect the onset and gestation. It is necessary to clarify the nature of menstruation in first-line relatives – mother, sister. Also monthly can be scarce during the period of the formation of the menstrual function – puberty, and when it fades in perimenopause.

There may also be scant blood loss and even absence of menstruation when using hormonal drugs such as oral contraceptives and the Mirena IUD. This is not a side effect or pathology.

Read also

…and when pathology

Hypomenstrual syndrome in some cases can be a manifestation of some gynecological diseases . When scraping the uterine cavity during abortions and miscarriages , traumatization of the endometrium – the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity, and the formation of adhesions are possible, as a result of which menstruation may become scarce or absent altogether.