Menstrual period is shorter than usual, is it dangerous?

Each woman's menstrual period varies widely. Many women have menstrual periods for 7 days, but some have shorter menstrual periods. So, what if the usual menstrual period suddenly becomes shorter than the previous month? Does this indicate a health problem?

What causes shorter menstrual periods?

The main factor affecting your menstrual cycle and length is the hormone estrogen. This hormone functions to mature the female reproductive organs.

Not only that, this hormone also helps prepare the uterine wall before the process of attachment to the embryo.

The production of the hormone estrogen can be abnormal due to a number of conditions, for example:

1. Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the period leading up to the last menstrual period before menopause. During this time, estrogen production decreases so that menstruation is not smooth.

These changes make your menstrual period shorter than usual.

This condition is often accompanied by other symptoms. You may experience abnormal bleeding during menstruation, or you may not have periods in certain months so that the total does not reach 12 times a year.

2. Stress

Stress can affect various systems in the body, including inhibiting the production of the hormone estrogen. Severe stress not only disrupts the menstrual cycle, it can make it stop for several months.

Stress is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as lethargy, the appearance of prolonged feelings of anxiety, sleep disturbances, and weight loss.

If the length of your period changes suddenly, try to see if you share these signs of stress.

3. Use of hormonal birth control

Hormonal birth control contains the hormones progesterone and estrogen which have a direct impact on the menstrual cycle.

One of the effects that appeared when using birth control for the first time was the change in menstrual periods that were shorter than before.

These changes can also occur when you change the type of birth control you are using, for example, from injections to pills.

Other side effects that are often complained of from using hormonal birth control are the appearance of spotting blood before menstruation, abdominal pain, and headaches.

4. Experiencing polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder of the ovaries that causes the body to produce more male sex hormones.

The amount of estrogen becomes much lower than it should be, which has an impact on the menstrual cycle as a whole.

PCOS sufferers usually experience irregular menstruation, have shorter menstrual periods, or do not have menstrual periods for several times.

This disease can also cause the appearance of fine hair on the face, a deeper voice, and difficulty getting pregnant.

5. Breastfeeding

Your body produces breast milk with the help of the hormone prolactin. However, this hormone also affects menstruation by inhibiting the release of eggs from the ovaries in a process called ovulation.

Without enough ovulation, your menstrual period will be shorter than usual. Other symptoms that you can experience are the cessation of menstruation for several months and the appearance of spotting blood outside the menstrual period.

Changes in the length of your period to be shorter do not necessarily indicate a health problem. However, that doesn't mean you can ignore changes in menstrual periods that happen constantly.

In rare cases, shorter menstrual periods are caused by malfunctioning of the ovaries or scar tissue in the uterus.

Immediately consult your doctor if your menstrual period does not return to normal or is accompanied by other worrisome symptoms.