Patient's question:
I always experience severe pain during my period, but this time, it wasn't very painful, and the blood flow was very light. Is this normal?Doctor's answer:
Hello:What are the causes of hypomenorrhea?
A normal menstrual cycle with bleeding lasting less than 2 days and a volume of less than 20 milliliters is typically considered hypomenorrhea. Like menorrhagia, hypomenorrhea is an abnormal condition. The causes of hypomenorrhea are similar to those of amenorrhea, differing only in degree. The main reasons are as follows:
（1）Physiological: Due to genetic or environmental factors.
（2）Pathological:
① Congenital uterine underdevelopment, where the uterus is small and only a small amount of endometrium is shed, resulting in a low menstrual flow.
② Ovarian hypofunction: In endometrial cells, there is a special type of granule called a lysosome, which is related to menstrual blood volume and bleeding duration. If estrogen and progesterone levels are high, lysosome complexes form well, leading to more bleeding and a longer bleeding duration. Conversely, if the ovaries are underdeveloped and sex hormone production is low, lysosome complexes form poorly, resulting in less bleeding and a shorter bleeding duration;
③ Endometrial tuberculosis: The endometrium is damaged by tuberculosis bacteria, forming scars, which reduces menstrual flow;
④ Married women may experience hypomenorrhea after a D&C procedure, especially after multiple induced abortions, which cause endometrial trauma and lead to uterine cavity adhesion. Mild cases result in hypomenorrhea, while severe cases can lead to amenorrhea.
Hypomenorrhea should be investigated for its underlying cause and treated promptly.