such light periods - is that to blame?

[Anonymous]

For years I've asked my OB/GYN about my incredibly light periods (after years and years on BCP). And always the response has been "no one ever complains about a light period - be thankful!" Then I had a very early m/c with my first pregnancy, and again the same response.

After a successful pregnancy, dr and nurses were all astounded at the small amount of bleeding postpartum - never needed the huge hospital pad and stopped bleeding within a week. Been TTC for almost a year now, and I'm on prometrium after O. Seems on the prometrium cycles my period is slightly heavier, although no where near what it was as a teenager, and no real "flow" to speak of. But prometrium would only help sustain a lining after implanation and would do nothing to build up a lining pre-conception, right? I was on herbs for this last cycle, to try to do just that, but oddly this cycle is even lighter (so might not bother with the very foul herbs again).

So - I'm back to wondering if light periods can indicate a problem. I haven't seen an RE yet, and I'm scheduled to talk with OB/GYN this week. I'll ask her then, but I'd also like to hear any stories from someone else in that position. Can't they do a test to see if uterine lining is sufficient for implantation? Who does that - OB/GYN or RE? How is it done?

[Anonymous]

My periods have gotten a lot lighter in my late 30s, now at 40, and I've asked at least 3-4 REs about it. All say that it shouldn't effect pregnancy, i.e. the ability of an embryo to implant and grow. They can, and do, do ultrasounds of your lining around ovulation, and if the lining it too thin they can put you on estrogen to make it thicker. (Just how thin is too thin is a bit up for debate among REs, though).

[Anonymous]

I noticed after the birth of my son (4 years ago) that my period was much,much lighter. I chalked it up to pregnacy and such must have had a role. Fast forward, we've been trying for 2 years and now I find out that I am not ovulating- about 4 months ago periods got really weird- had alway been consistant before then, but again really, really light. I now believe this was break through bleeding. I've been on Clomid and now took progestrone after 3 cycles of Clomid. So, yes I think there is something to it.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I have been charting for 5 cycles, and I do see a shift in temps - not necessarily a huge shift, but a shift nonetheless. I also ALWAYS spot around day 13-14, which is right around when I O. So I assume I am O'ing. Can they do something to check for that, too?

[Anonymous]

Yes, they can do ultrasounds to monitor your ovaries and check your LH hormone to see if you've ovulated, although technically, unless they are doing IVF to retrieve the egg, you won't know whether there was an egg in the follicle.

[Anonymous]

I have the same symptoms.

Had a child 4+ years ago (minimal bleeding during delivery) and have been TTC since.

Other than giving you progesterone, there is not much that can be done, according to my RE. So, I am going through infertility treatments for "unexplained" infertility. All my hormone levels are looking good, I respond well to fertility drugs.

According to my OB/Gyn, it is a sign of aging that I do not have periods in my 30s as I did in my 20s. He said most women bleed more, but some less as years go by.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I too was on birth control for several years, 10 to be exact. Over the years my period became lighter...I assumed it was a side effect of BC. I got off the pill and still have super light periods.

I have voiced this concern to two OBGYN's and 2 RE's...all four don't seem to think its a problem...I have also had two early miscarriages...one at 5 weeks the other at 6...

But, they stand by the fact my light periods are not a cuase for concern...I find it hard to believe...

[Anonymous]

I'm in the same boat and neither my OB nor my RE is concerned. I did my first round of NCIVF this month. In the pre-IVF testing phase and during the IVF cycles, Dominion checks your lining via u/s at every stage. They said mine always looks normal and healthy. Hormones fine, too. So I'm trusting that this is not an issue. (That said, I've been on progesterone suppositories since the egg retrieval, which is standard, I think.)

[Anonymous]

This is poster 16:29...It's hard for me to understand how we can have healthy lining when our periods are so light...The purpose of the period is to shed the lining right? Why then is the lining not shedding? If the light period is all the lining we have to shed, then how is it thick and health?

I'm just frustrated about this too, and can't seem to get answers. I guess, maybe, I should do what the Dr. says and feel happy that I don't have a long, painful, heavy period. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

OP here. My acupuncturist (granted, I didn't work with her long because she changed practices, so that's an annoyance and I haven't been able to follow up with her directly) said that light periods are a sign of things not working right - short on blood and possibly affecting fertility. But then, this cycle has been extremely light (really don't need a pad at all), so even if she was right, it doesn't seem like she successfully treated it.

That said, how can all of these doctors be so wrong? Should we just believe them?

[Anonymous]

I guess since no one is justifying our worries, we should beleive the Dr.'s. I guess as we get older our periods can change, although no one really tells you that.

[Anonymous]

13:11 here. No, OP, what your acupuncturist told you about blood supply is not true. While my periods are light, I had my blood flow to my uterus checked out when I consulted at CCRM and it was great.

[Anonymous]

Have always had light periods...Dr. G at Dominion said the same thing to me...no correlation.

I would take GOBs of fertility meds, get these amazing lining, and see very little difference in my period flow...maybe a little heavier.

After pregnancy and breast feeding, my periods have come back but lighter than ever. But now I don't care...I am taking the 'I am happy they are light!' approach.

[Anonymous]

my periods were light but normal red, etc. when i was on BCP (for 14yrs) - I got pregnant while on BCPs & then after my DC's birth got pregnant before having a period -- that PG ended in misc. -- after my D&C my period got EVEN lighter and excuse the TMI but was only brown & very clotty -- I've had 4 failed IUIs and 2 failed IVFs- and was diagnosed DOR b/c of high fsh & low AFC. On all but one of those cycles I had thin lining issues -- but even so i have to say my best/only red & normal looking & normal length periods since my D&C were when i was taking estrogen prior to the cycle and progesterone in the luteal phase--- i also felt better-- not sure if any of that helps you -- but has prompted me to make an appt. to discuss hrt- something i read women under 40 w/DOR may want to consider...

[Anonymous]

PP, who are you going to see about hrt? I've considered that too - none of the REs I've seen seem to even think about it.