What causes menstruation to become scanty and with brown discharge?

Menstrual flow is a good indicator of a woman's current health. The reasons for scanty periods can be either natural or indicate the occurrence of a disorder. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, but a woman can make a primary diagnosis with the help of the following article. Because not in all situations a small amount of blood suggests pathology.

A little about female physiology

Menstruation is necessary to conceive a child. Everyone knows this. And it happens due to the fact that the unfertilized egg is rejected along with the endometrium prepared for it. Therefore, the monthly discharge includes clots of the intrauterine layer and blood from exposed vessels. The total volume normally ranges from 50 to 150 ml. An increase or decrease in this indicator may be a symptom of abnormalities. This symptom has its own name - hypomenorrhea.

At the same time, a shortening of the menstrual period is observed. If in a healthy woman this process lasts from 3 to 6 days, then the presence of discharge for less than 3 days is called oligomenorrhea. Usually the interval and duration of the entire cycle increases. In some cases there are delays.

Attention! Lack of menstruation can mean infertility and is called amenorrhea.

Regulation of the menstrual cycle

The frequency, volume, and duration of menstruation depend on several factors:

1. The brain, or more precisely, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, control the ovaries with the help of hormones. Tumors in this area and circulatory problems can disrupt the process.
2. The adrenal glands and other organs of the endocrine system are responsible for the levels of various hormones. Therefore, pathologies in this area affect reproductive functions and menstruation.
3. The ovaries mature eggs and also produce estrogens and progesterone, which control different periods of the cycle. Polycystic cysts, cysts and other problems in these glands directly affect menstruation, their quantity, regularity and duration.
4. The uterus is the source of menstrual flow. If, due to inflammation or other reasons, changes occur in the endometrium, then menstrual flow also changes.

Attention! Pathologies of these organs and systems cause the appearance of hypomenorrhea and other symptoms.

Preventive measures

It is easier to prevent the appearance of scanty discharge than to cure it later. Preventive measures include:

• compliance with personal hygiene rules;
• frequent changing of pads and washing, avoiding unnatural products;
• protection during sexual intercourse using a condom;
• refusal of low-quality or excessively tight underwear;
• visiting a gynecologist at least once every 6 months;
• preference for an active and healthy lifestyle.

Compliance with these simple measures allows you to maintain the normal functioning of the female body, and to a certain extent prevent the occurrence of disorders, pathologies, inflammations in the reproductive and other systems and organs. If scanty periods appear, it is categorically impossible to independently identify their cause, much less begin therapy, this also applies to treatment with traditional methods. We must not forget that ignoring significant signs and symptoms of serious diseases can cause the most severe consequences for the functions of reproduction and childbearing. Therefore, you should be careful about your health and visit a gynecologist on time.

Why are menstruation scanty?

The volume of discharge may be less than normal for various reasons, some are associated with natural processes, others are a symptom of the disease.

Formation of the cycle

Girls who have just started menstruating during the first 1-2 years do not yet have sufficiently developed genitals. Therefore, the endometrium can grow in smaller quantities, which explains scanty menstruation, irregularity, and oligomenorrhea. If after 2-3 years a normal cycle is not established, then we can talk about problems and such a patient should be examined by a gynecologist and endocrinologist.

Hypomenorrhea after childbirth

During pregnancy, significant hormonal and physical changes occur. Therefore, the body needs some time to recover. Menstruation may appear immediately after 6-8 weeks, but when breastfeeding, the hormone prolactin blocks the process and menstruation at this time may be absent altogether or be irregular with scanty discharge. In the postpartum period, long and heavy menstruation is considered more dangerous, which indicates the presence of complications.

Scanty periods during pregnancy

Normally, after consolidation of the fertilized egg, there should be no bleeding. The last spotting pink or brown leucorrhoea is the result of the implantation of the zygote into the endometrium. Therefore, menstruation can occur once after conception if it occurs before the fertilized egg enters the uterus. This is possible when several follicles mature due to the genetic characteristics of a woman or in the case of a short cycle. Therefore, scanty menstruation for the first time may be a symptom of conception; you need to conduct a test.

Attention! At other times, spotting is a sign of miscarriage due to placental abruption.

Underdevelopment of the reproductive system

The condition is called infantilism. In such a woman, as an adult, the uterus, genitals, and other organs have a child’s size and condition. This also applies to the mammary glands, pubic hair, and under the arms. But first of all, menstrual function suffers. Amenorrhea or irregular, scanty periods occurs. This occurs due to insufficient production of sex hormones due to genetic factors, intrauterine pathologies, and previous diseases such as measles, scarlet fever, mumps, and rubella. The cause may be extreme levels of hypovitaminosis, and even severe stress. The condition is treatable, but requires long-term therapy.

Premenopause

The end of reproductive function does not occur overnight; the production of sex hormones gradually decreases. Therefore, a woman notes hypomenorrhea, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, hot flashes and other symptoms of approaching menopause. This happens after 40 years, but for hereditary reasons, menopause can occur early from 35. However, you should not calm down and let everything take its course. It is during this period that a woman is most vulnerable to various tumor processes, so it is necessary to be observed by a gynecologist on a regular basis.

Endocrine disorders

The level of all hormones in the body is an interdependent indication. Therefore, diseases of the thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus, and pathologies of the adrenal glands affect menstruation. In this case, hypomenorrhea is one of the symptoms.

Inflammation

This includes processes in the reproductive system and throughout the body, of an infectious and nonspecific nature. Even acute respiratory infections can suppress menstrual function. Often problems arise against the background of chronic diseases. This is only a reflection of the general condition of the body. Therefore, when cured, menstruation is restored to normal.

Pathologies of the central nervous system

Neurological problems that affect the pituitary gland or hypothalamus lead to inhibition of the production of hormones that control processes in the ovaries and the entire reproductive system. Cysts, including parasitic ones, tumors, hemorrhages and other processes in the brain lead to this situation. The help of a neurologist, MRI and electroencephalogram are required.

Scraping

Cleansing of the uterus from the surface layer and endometrium is performed during abortion, polyp removal, and biopsy. It may take from 1 to 3-4 months for normal recovery. During this period, menstruation is scanty, irregular, in combination with oligomenorrhea. Sometimes there is excessive stripping of the endometrium to such a state that in some areas it is no longer restored, which will lead to lifelong hypomenorrhea due to a decrease in the menstruating surface.

Attention! Frequent curettage can lead to a decrease in reproductive function, when the fertilized egg simply has nowhere to attach due to large bald patches of the endometrium.

Hormone therapy

Taking combined contraceptives, as well as progesterone-based drugs, leads to light menstruation. The former block the ovulation process, so the egg does not mature, the latter, for example Duphaston, reduce the growth of the endometrium to a minimum. The effect persists for some time after discontinuation, until the reproductive system is completely restored. As a rule, 2-3 cycles are enough before returning to normal.

Changes in body weight

Obesity leads to excessive estrogen production, as well as diabetes and other endocrine disorders. Therefore, women with extra pounds experience irregular, scanty, short-term menstruation. Amenorrhea and infertility may occur. By normalizing your weight, you can restore hormonal balance.

Sudden weight loss, strict diets with insufficient supply of essential microelements also lead to endocrine disorders. Therefore, girls with low body weight first suffer from hypomenorrhea, and then a complete absence of menstruation with infertility.

Psychological problems

Severe stress, such as the loss of loved ones, dangerous situations, everything that leads to significant mental shock and long-term depressive disorder, causes hormonal disorders and suppression of reproductive functions. Against the background of such circumstances, scanty periods, delays and even amenorrhea are observed.

Carefully! Severe stress can trigger various processes in the body, for example, the growth of tumors, including the malignancy of existing ones.

Other causes affecting the menstrual cycle

The explanation for why periods have become scanty could be various external factors:

• frequent stress;
• poor nutrition;
• climate change;
• severe physical fatigue;
• mental stress;
• sedentary lifestyle.

Sometimes women experience scanty periods after 40 years, but they do not always indicate the presence of pathology. We recommend reading more about this in a separate article on our website.

Symptoms of pathology during scanty menstruation

There are a number of signs that indicate serious health problems in combination with light discharge during menstruation:

1. Any disruptions for 1-2 cycles do not mean anything, but when hypomenorrhea becomes protracted and lasts more than 4-6 months, you should consult a doctor.
2. The color of the discharge during hypomenorrhea can become brown and even dark. This also happens normally when taking birth control pills. But if there is an unpleasant odor, then endometritis, endometriosis or any inflammation of an infectious nature can be suspected.
3. Pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, side, or vagina is a sign of some problem. However, some women experience these symptoms before and on the first day of menstruation until menopause. Therefore, manifestation must be assessed when changes in the usual state are felt. For example, the nature of sensations, localization, irradiation, intensity. Normally, the pain should not be severe, so that it does not interfere with the patient’s life.
4. The presence of yellow or green discharge with an unpleasant odor between periods is a clear sign of infection. Associated sensations may include itching and burning of the genitals.
5. Weight gain occurs due to hormonal imbalances. Just as obesity leads to polycystic ovary syndrome and decreased menstrual function - hypomenorrhea and oligomenorrhea.
6. Abdominal growth can occur in the presence of large cysts and tumors in the uterus and on the ovaries.

Secondary hypomenstrual syndrome

Many women who have heard about scanty periods are interested in what kind of discharge it is and how it differs from normal menstruation. In fact, understanding this issue is quite simple.

Normally, the cycle is at least 21 and maximum 35 days. The duration of menstruation varies from three to five days. During this period, 50–150 ml of blood leaves the body.

If menstruation has become less abundant than usual, and its volume differs from the norm - less than 50 ml, then a diagnosis of “hypomenorrhea” is made, which is considered a cycle disorder. As a rule, during menstruation there is very little discharge - just a few drops. They often have a smearing character and are brown, black or extremely light in color.

Secondary hypomenstrual syndrome is a condition in which scanty periods are observed. They go less, become short and may stop on the third day. In this case, the menstruation that appears differs from the previous one. The early menstruation was within the normal range, but the next ones dramatically changed their character. The reasons why blood loss is 30-50 ml during critical days are physiological and pathological.

To correctly assess hypomenstrual syndrome, it is necessary to clearly understand how much blood a woman normally loses during menstruation. Read more about this in our article on the website.

What is dangerous about scanty discharge during menstruation?

Hypomenorrhea can be a sign of hormonal disorders, lack of ovulation and other pathologies. Therefore, inattention to the problem will cause infertility, changes in appearance - obesity, the appearance of a mustache and beard, as well as oncology. A tumor in the brain that suppresses the hypothalamus and pituitary gland can lead to loss of other functions - coordination of movement, memory. Ovarian cysts grow to gigantic sizes, which is dangerous due to rupture of the walls and peritonitis of the abdominal cavity.

The consequences can be very different, but there is nothing serious about such violations, so a woman should be sensitive to the stability of her cycle and visit a gynecologist if there are obvious changes.

Ways to relieve pain without medications

Before treating pain and discomfort with medications, it is worth trying physiological methods to relax smooth muscles.

• Gentle warmth on the lower abdomen - a heating pad, a warm shower. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes. However, you need to be sure that there is no inflammatory process in the pelvis, the course of which can be significantly aggravated by thermal exposure;
• “Fetal position” - if you lie down, curled up into a ball, with your knees tucked to your chest and your chin down, you can significantly alleviate the condition and relieve pain. It is advisable to dim the lights and eliminate sound stimuli;
• During critical days, it is recommended to reduce physical activity, walk at a calm pace, but not lift weights, and refuse to go to the gym;
• Proper nutrition during menstruation will help you feel better: you should give up coffee, fatty, salty, spicy foods, seasonings, mayonnaise, sweets and give preference to foods rich in fiber (greens, fruits, vegetables, avoiding those that cause gas formation and fermentation);
• Smoking increases menstrual pain. If you don’t have the strength to give up cigarettes, you should at least reduce their number;
• Nutritionists recommend drinking at least 1.5 liters of pure water during the day. During menstruation, this volume can be increased to 2 liters, if there is no tendency to edema.

If the pain is severe, you should not torture yourself; there are a lot of pharmaceutical drugs that help alleviate the condition.

How is diagnosis done for low menstruation?

Based on the patient’s complaints and appearance, the doctor can already suggest the direction of further research. But for accuracy, laboratory and instrumental diagnostics are necessary:

1. Vaginal smear for infection. It can be examined using the PCR method, which reveals hidden bacteria and viruses.
2. Colposcopy is a scraping from the cervix and cervical canal to assess the condition of the tissues and exclude oncological processes.
3. Culture of found pathogenic bacteria to select an effective antibiotic.
4. Tests for hormone levels. Consultation with an endocrinologist will be required.
5. Ultrasound of the pelvic organs can detect tumors, developmental abnormalities, cysts and other formations.
6. MRI is a more accurate study with a detailed cross-sectional view of tissues; it can even show metastases in cancer. It is a paid procedure. If a decrease in the functions of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus is suspected, an MRI of the brain is performed.
7. In some cases, diagnostic hysteroscopy is required. It is prescribed for pathologies of the endometrium and uterine body.

Prevention of the condition

Coming at the most inopportune moment, a strange brown smudge is very confusing. To avoid having dirty periods, follow these rules:

1. Wash yourself every day. Don't overuse or neglect your shower.
2. Choose a shower gel that's right for you. If the product causes itching and irritation in the genital area, choose something else.
3. For the intimate area, buy a separate towel.
4. Don't overexert yourself in the gym. Distribute the load rationally!
5. Be positive. Don't get discouraged in stressful situations.
6. Eat right. Eat everything, but in moderation. The body must receive all the necessary nutrients.

All diseases have similar symptoms, so contact your gynecologist if in doubt. The sooner you do this, the better. Do not self-medicate so that the disease does not go further and develop into oncology! Listen to the advice of friends and women on forums, but don’t attach much importance to them. Only a doctor can give an accurate diagnosis. Use online information for reference purposes only.

Treatment for hypomenorrhea

Scanty menstruation is not a disease, but a symptom, so therapy can only be prescribed individually after diagnosis. The following measures may be required in different cases:

1. With sexual infantilism, long-term hormonal therapy with the artificial use of necessary substances is required. For endocrine disorders, drugs of this type are prescribed based on an analysis of hormone levels.
2. Inflammatory processes are treated comprehensively. Antibiotics eliminate infection, antihistamines relieve tissue swelling, and antispasmodics and anti-inflammatory drugs are also used.
3. For obesity and scanty menstruation, diet and weight loss are necessarily recommended; without this, it is impossible to recover. The lack of kilograms is more difficult to compensate for, sometimes hospitalization and the help of a psychotherapist are required.
4. Severe stress and depression, which lead to hormonal imbalances and cycle failure, require the help of a psychotherapist.
5. Tumors in the uterus, ovarian cysts, and formations in the cervical canal may be an indication for surgery.

Traditional methods of treating cycle failure

Alternative medicine offers products with natural hormones that normalize their levels in a woman’s body, and therefore bring menstruation back to normal. They use sage, boron uterus, red brush, and raspberries in courses during certain periods of the cycle. The therapy is really effective, but first you need to understand why your periods have become scanty.

Attention! Self-medication with the use of herbal or medicinal preparations that affect hormonal levels is very dangerous. As a result, patients suffer a bunch of complications.

ethnoscience

Homeopathy has proven itself very well. The problem can be treated using available home remedies. All actions must be coordinated with a gynecologist.

Is it possible to get pregnant with hypomenorrhea?

Scanty, irregular periods are sometimes accompanied by a lack of ovulation, which is the cause of infertility. You can check this at home by measuring your basal temperature, as well as with special tests. During ovulation, which occurs in the middle of the cycle, the temperature jumps upward by 0.5-1 degrees. The test will be positive. If ovulation is proven, then conception is possible and it is better to plan it for days close to the maturation of the egg.

If there are no signs of ovulation against the background of scanty and unstable menstruation, then you need to consult a doctor. An ultrasound will check the ovaries for the presence of follicles. Also, the doctor will be able to more reliably tell whether the eggs are maturing or not.

In case of non-standard menstruation, it is better to start pregnancy planning with a complete examination of the body. In addition to a gynecologist, endocrinologist and other specialists, it would be useful to visit a geneticist in order to give birth to a healthy child.

Attention! According to patient reviews, most of those who experience hypomenorrhea are overweight and are unable to get pregnant.

Medical examination

To determine the etiology of abnormal bleeding, many associated findings in the history and physical examination must be assessed. List of questions to identify the picture: