Causes and Solution of Scanty Menses
Scanty menstrual periods are periods in which the duration of blood flow is
less than two days or the amount of blood flow is
less than 80ml.
Most women though, use the term to mainly mean a decreased blood flow, even if the duration of the periods are more than 2 days. So here, the term 'scanty periods' has been used to describe both periods with a decreased blood flow, as well as periods with a duration of less than two days.
The medical term for less blood flow during periods is 'hypomenorrhoea'. And
when periods occur at more than a gap of 35 days, it is called
'oligomenorrhea'. A gap of less than 35 days between two menstrual periods is
considered normal.
Causes of Scanty Blood Flow During the Period
1. Constitutional Causes
In some women it may be normal to have less bleeding during the menstrual periods. Less blood flow may be genetic and, if enquiries are made, it may be found that the woman's mother and/or sisters also have decreased blood flow during their periods. Pregnancy can normally occur with with this type of decreased flow during the periods. The incidence of infertility is the same as in women with a normal blood flow.
In some women it may be normal to have less bleeding during the menstrual periods. Less blood flow may be genetic and, if enquiries are made, it may be found that the woman's mother and/or sisters also have decreased blood flow during their periods. Pregnancy can normally occur with with this type of decreased flow during the periods. The incidence of infertility is the same as in women with a normal blood flow.
2. Hormonal Causes
a. Extremes of Reproductive Lives
Scanty menses or periods can occur normally at the extremes of reproductive life - that is, just after puberty and just before menopause. This is because ovulation is irregular at this time, and the endometrial lining fails to develop normally.
Scanty menses or periods can occur normally at the extremes of reproductive life - that is, just after puberty and just before menopause. This is because ovulation is irregular at this time, and the endometrial lining fails to develop normally.
b. Anovulation
Hormonal problems at other times can also cause scanty blood flow. Anovulation due to a low thyroid hormone level, high prolactin level, high insulin level, high androgen level and problems with other hormones can also cause scanty periods.
Hormonal problems at other times can also cause scanty blood flow. Anovulation due to a low thyroid hormone level, high prolactin level, high insulin level, high androgen level and problems with other hormones can also cause scanty periods.
c. Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCP)
Scanty menses can also occur after long term use of oral contraceptives as a result of progressive endometrial atrophy. Complete loss of periods after oral birth control pills is known as post-pill amenorrhea.
Scanty menses can also occur after long term use of oral contraceptives as a result of progressive endometrial atrophy. Complete loss of periods after oral birth control pills is known as post-pill amenorrhea.
d. Sheehan's Syndrome
In a condition called Sheehan's Syndrome, there is pituitary insufficiency leading to scanty or complete loss of periods (amenorrhea).
In a condition called Sheehan's Syndrome, there is pituitary insufficiency leading to scanty or complete loss of periods (amenorrhea).
3. Uterine Cause
Blood flow during a period depends on the normal growth of the endometrium (internal uterine lining). If there is a scar inside the uterus, the surface area of the endometrium may be smaller than normal. Scarring can occur after operations on the uterus like a myomectomy (removal of fibroids), after radiation treatment or in conditions like Asherman's syndrome. This may cause less blood flow during the periods.
Blood flow during a period depends on the normal growth of the endometrium (internal uterine lining). If there is a scar inside the uterus, the surface area of the endometrium may be smaller than normal. Scarring can occur after operations on the uterus like a myomectomy (removal of fibroids), after radiation treatment or in conditions like Asherman's syndrome. This may cause less blood flow during the periods.
4. Emotional/Stress Causes
Sometimes psychological factors can come into play. Emotions and stress can act on the centers in the brain that stimulate the ovaries during the ovarian cycle. If these centers in the brain are suppressed due to stress, they fail to stimulate the ovaries leading to less or no production of estrogens and hence scanty menses or periods.
Sometimes psychological factors can come into play. Emotions and stress can act on the centers in the brain that stimulate the ovaries during the ovarian cycle. If these centers in the brain are suppressed due to stress, they fail to stimulate the ovaries leading to less or no production of estrogens and hence scanty menses or periods.
5. Other Causes
Other causes that can cause scanty or decreased blood flow during the periods are excessive exercise, crash dieting, change in the environment (such as by changing a job), stress due to exams, excessive excitement due to an upcoming event can all cause scanty or less blood flow duering the periods.
Other causes that can cause scanty or decreased blood flow during the periods are excessive exercise, crash dieting, change in the environment (such as by changing a job), stress due to exams, excessive excitement due to an upcoming event can all cause scanty or less blood flow duering the periods.
Tests for the Diagnosis of Scanty Periods
1. Blood Tests: Most of the common causes of decreased flow of blood during
the menses can be detected by blood tests. Tests for the level of hormones
like FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, prolactin, insulin and
androgen are important. In polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), there will be
high levels of insulin and androgens.
2. Ultrasonogram: An ultrasonogram can diagnose the thickness of the
endometrium, size of the ovaries, growth of follicles, ovulation and other
abnormalities.
3. Other Tests: Tests like D&C and MRI scans are sometimes needed to find
out the cause of scanty blood flow during the periods.
Treating Scanty Periods
Treatment is as per the cause of the scanty periods. A full and thorough history of previous menstrual cycles should be taken to diagnose constitutional causes. Hormonal problems can usually be treated by prescribing hormones. If all reports are normal, assurance and a description of the process is all that is necessary.
Treatment is as per the cause of the scanty periods. A full and thorough history of previous menstrual cycles should be taken to diagnose constitutional causes. Hormonal problems can usually be treated by prescribing hormones. If all reports are normal, assurance and a description of the process is all that is necessary.
Home Made Remedy For Scanty Menses
Unripe papaya (pawpaw) helps the contractions of the muscle fibres of the uterus and is thus beneficial in securing a proper menstrual flow. Papaya is especially helpful when menstruation ceases due to stress or fright in young unmarried girls.
Unripe papaya (pawpaw) helps the contractions of the muscle fibres of the uterus and is thus beneficial in securing a proper menstrual flow. Papaya is especially helpful when menstruation ceases due to stress or fright in young unmarried girls.
The use of ginger is another effective home remedy for menstrual disorders,
especially in cases of painful menstruation and stoppage of menstrual flow. A
piece of fresh ginger should be pounded and boiled in a cup of water for a few
minutes. The infusion, sweetened with sugar, should be used thrice daily after
meals as a medicine for treating this condition.
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