Does a light period flow mean reduced fertility? An expert answers

All women share a love-hate relationship with their period. No one likes the cramps and mood swings but we pay special attention to our periods because they’re also indicative of our overall health status. In particular, our periods can provide us with an insight into our reproductive health. For women who want to start a family of their own, even the slightest change can be a cause of worry.

On average, a woman will lose less than 80ml of blood during the course of a period. In addition, a period lasting anywhere between 3 to 7 days is considered normal. At the same time, keeping an eye on the flow is extremely important. Both heavy and light periods can point to hormonal issues, underlying illnesses and excessive stress.

When it comes to your period becoming lighter, you could notice:

• Bleeding for fewer days
• Needing to use fewer pads or tampons
• Not experiencing heavier bleeding in the first few days but bleeding lightly throughout
• Bleeding seems like spotting

Along the same lines, many women wonder if having a light period points to the fact that their fertility is low. To understand this, HealthShots spoke to Dr C.P. Dadhich, Director – Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and IVF at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur.

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Why is your period flow lighter?

According to the expert, “A light period, in terms of health, could be due to any reason. If this is a change you’ve noticed recently, you must make it a point to speak with your doctor.”

Speaking about how a lighter period may be related to fertility issues, Dadhich said, “A lighter period may point to hormonal problems such as polycystic ovarian disorder (PCOD) or thyroid issues. Such disturbances in the hormonal balance of the body can have an effect on the flow of the period as well as fertility. In addition, a woman’s fertility and period regularity also gets affected with age. Someone who is over the age of 35 will have reduced fertility and at the same time, also notice changes such as a lighter flow when it comes to their period. It is, however, important to keep in mind that each case is different medically.”

It is recommended that if you are experiencing a light period or have been facing fertility issues, you must speak with a doctor to determine what the particular issue is in your case. Suddenly noticing your period becoming lighter may or may not be related to your fertility but is something that does require a medical consultation.

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So, ladies, a period flow can say a lot about your health. It may or may not be indicative of your fertility level. It is best to speak with your doctor to understand how to proceed with the situation.