Hypomenorrhea Treatment in Indian Women: An In-depth Explanation

Hypomenorrhea is a condition in which one experiences extremely light or scanty blood flow during menstruation. It is essentially a menstrual disorder where the monthly flow is very light. It is as low as 30 ml or even lesser. Your periods may last for around 2 days if you’re suffering from this condition.

However, a light flow does not always indicate an underlying condition. A woman’s monthly flow varies across individuals. Some women experience light blood flow while others experience heavier flow.

Low blood flow can occur during the onset of puberty, menopause and even due to pregnancy. But during normal conditions, if you’re producing as low as 20-30ML of blood as opposed to 30-80ML which is the expected blood flow, it may be a good idea to see a gynaecologist. You don’t have to accurately measure it but you can make a rough estimate based on any sudden or gradual change in your flow patterns.

There can be several reasons why your period flow is lighter than usual. While it may seem like a good thing at first, something that gives you more personal comfort, it may actually be causing you more harm and can indicate an underlying menstrual disorder. Here is a comprehensive list of various hypomenorrhea causes and what they indicate:

1. Pregnancy:
If you’re experiencing a very light period, light period or hypomenorrhea, there is a very probable chance that you are pregnant. Missing your period is a standard indicator of pregnancy, but sometimes a light period or spotting can also indicate that you are pregnant. In more unusual cases, hypomenorrhea can indicate an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is one where the fertilisation of egg and sperm takes place in the fallopian tube instead of in the uterus. This can be dangerous and must be checked out by your gynaecologist. Just to make sure that an ectopic pregnancy is not causing hypomenorrhea, it is important to meet your doctor.

2. Weight loss or weight gain:
If you have suddenly lost a ton of weight or have suddenly put on a lot of weight, it may be a cause of hypomenorrhea. This happens because sudden weight loss or weight gain can cause fluctuations in your hormonal levels and completely throw them off the path. Losing weight through unhealthy means such as long hours of fasting or skipping meals also affects hormonal balance inside of your body. This directly affects your menstrual cycle and can cause hypomenorrhea.

3. Hyperthyroidism:
Hyperthyroidism is a common cause of hypomenorrhea. An overactive thyroid can have serious health complications and therefore should be checked out immediately. A thyroid home check-up by MFine is all you need to get started.

4. Birth control pills:
Birth control pills are commonly known to cause hypomenorrhea. It’s completely normal to get very light periods when you’re on birth control, especially hormonal contraceptives such as a hormonal IUD. However, do meet your gynaecologist just to be sure. At MFine, you can find a gynaecologist near you and book an appointment.

5. PCOS:
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a disorder wherein the female body produces a higher amount of testosterone. Irregular, low flow or missed periods is a common symptom of hypomenorrhea. PCOS can cause several other discomforts, so it should be tested for.

6. Menopause:
Early-stage of menopause or the onset of menopause if often characterized by hypomenorrhea. This is a very natural phenomenon and is not a cause of worry.

7. Asherman’s syndrome
This can be caused by pelvic surgeries such as C-sections, fibroid removal procedures, removal of polyps and rare infections such as genital TB are also causes of hypomenorrhea. Anyone who suffers from this has a higher risk of having hypomenorrhea.

These are some common hypomenorrhea causes. Detecting it early and consulting with a gynaecologist will help you start treatment at the earliest and avoid further complications caused due to hypomenorrhea. At MFine, you can seek a gynaecologist near you and book an appointment.

There are very few symptoms of hypomenorrhea. Most common one is low blood flow.
As the name suggests, the most obvious sign you should look out for is your blood flow. Is it too less on a daily basis during your monthly period? Is it ending too early? Also, check, do any of your family members suffer from hypomenorrhea too? This will help you determine what may be the cause.

When it comes to assessing who is at a higher risk of getting hypomenorrhea, there are several factors that come into play.

• Hereditary – As mentioned above, someone with a family history of hypomenorrhea will be at very high risk for this condition
• Regular use of contraceptive pills – People who use contraceptives heavily are at a higher risk of hypomenorrhea that those who do not.
• Age-related factors – Age plays an important role in determining the flow of blood during menstruation. It’s different during puberty and varies as you move towards menopause. This happens because of hormonal changes.
• Physical exercise – People who do not engage in physical activity regularly have a higher risk of developing hypomenorrhea. Exercise plays a very important role in maintaining healthy hormonal levels in your body. It’s also shown to be extremely beneficial for maintaining good menstrual health.
• Diabetes – People who have type-2 diabetes or diabetes mellitus are at a higher risk of getting hypomenorrhea. Generally, menstrual problems often occur in diabetic people. Meet a diabetologist on MFine to know more.
• Alcohol abuse and smoking – If you’re an inveterate smoker or drinker, chances are your menstrual health isn’t in very good shape. It can lead to hypomenorrhea.
• Obesity – Heavy body weight comes with a host of associated problems. Hypomenorrhea is one of the most common problems associated with obesity. Maintaining healthy body weight is crucial for optimal menstrual functions.
• Poor nutrition – If you suffer from a lack of vitamins, minerals or essential nutrients, you are definitely at risk of getting hypomenorrhea. Consuming too much junk food is also detrimental to healthy menstruation. Consuming a well-balanced diet full of fresh and nutritious ingredients is a recommended hypomenorrhea treatment to regulate blood flow during menstruation.

These are the risk factors involved in hypomenorrhea. If you suffer from any of these conditions and experience a low blood flow, consult a gynaecologist near you online on the MFine app and begin your journey to a healthier lifestyle immediately.

To diagnose hypomenorrhea, you must first visit a good gynaecologist who will conduct a series of tests on you to determine the cause of your light periods. Here are some major tests your gynaecologist will conduct:

• Ultrasound:
  An ultrasound will help give insights into the functioning of your uterus. Your gynaecologist will be able to study your internal organs and check the thickness of your uterine lining, ovulation stage etc which can help diagnose hypomenorrhea.
• Blood tests:
  A blood test is done to check for the level of hormones in your blood. It will accurately tell you the level of estrogen, insulin, prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone and progesterone. This will help determine hypomenorrhea.
• Surgical examination:
  Often, your doctor will need a sample of your uterine tissue to check for any underlying issues. A general surgeon will inject local or general anaesthesia and extract a small sample of your internal tissues to determine what’s causing hypomenorrhea.

Once your gynaecologist diagnoses presence of hypomenorrhea, he/she will curate an effective hypomenorrhea treatment suited to your symptoms and lifestyle habits. You can easily consult a gynaecologist near you on the MFine app and get yourself diagnosed at the earliest.

Hypomenorrhea treatment involves addressing the underlying causes that cause hypomenorrhea. As mentioned before there are several causes that contribute to hypomenorrhea.
Here are some ways your gynaecologist can treat hypomenorrhea:

• Treating PCOS:
  PCOS is a very common condition around the world. Millions of women around the world suffer from PCOS. However, it is very manageable if one manages to stay disciplined and closely follows the gynaecologist’s instructions. Lifestyle changes such as reducing weight, maintaining a healthy weight range, exercising regularly, eating an Indian diet rich in fruits and vegetables help manage PCOS. This will also have a positive effect on your monthly blood flow especially when you’re experiencing less bleeding during periods than usual.
• Treating Cushing’s syndrome:
  Cushing syndrome is characterised by a high level of the cortisol hormone in your body. You need to reduce the amount of cortisol in your body in order to improve your blood flow during menstruation. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other drugs help do this. Your gynaecologist, endocrinologist or general physician will recommend the right course of action.
• Hormone therapy:
  Since menstrual flow is heavily depending on hormonal composition in the blood, hormonal therapy is often recommended in Hypomenorrhea treatment. Hormone therapy will help regulate the level of hormones in your body that are causing Hypomenorrhea.
• Self-care: You need to understand the causes of hypomenorrhea in order to take necessary actions. Regular blood tests and visits to the gynaecologists help keeping track of Hypomenorrhea symptoms.

Medication recommended by a doctor will only depend upon the underlying cause of Hypomenorrhea. Hormonal therapy cannot be suggested for every case. Without proper analysis, taking hormones can prove to be risky. The doctor will recommend therapy only after diagnosing the symptoms by certain tests.

Book an appointment with a gynaecologist near you on the MFine app to get started on your treatment.

Hypomenorrhea can be very well managed if you follow some simple Hypomenorrhea home remedies. These involve lifestyle changes and incorporating essential nutrients into your daily diet. Avoiding junk food and regularly exercising will have a positive effect on your menstrual health.

Must include nutrients as part of your Hypomenorrhea home remedies:

• Iron: Iron is very important in maintaining the health of your blood in the body. Iron increases the production of RBCs, which form the core component of blood. Consume iron-rich foods such as spinach, palak, asparagus, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds and dates to improve blood quality.
• Omega – 3 fatty acids: Omega 3 is a superfood which is commonly found in non-vegetarian foods such as fish – cod, salmon and halibut. Chia seeds, flax seeds, and rajma are good vegetarian sources of omega 3.
• Zinc – If you have thyroid issues as well as Hypomenorrhea, your doctor will recommend a higher zinc intake. Spinach, pumpkin seeds and even oysters are great sources of Zinc. Whole grain cereals, pulses and dairy products also provide good amounts of zinc to the body.
• Nuts and dry fruits – Nuts are a great source of minerals such as iron, omega 3, fibre and even protein. They are great sources of energy and have shown to be an effective Hypomenorrhea home remedy.

Exercising: Yoga and meditation

• When you have less bleeding during periods than usual, Yoga is a great way to improve your menstrual health. Here are some yoga poses you must incorporate into your daily routine as a Hypomenorrhea home remedy:
  -Dhanurasana
  -Ustrasana
  -Malasana
  -Bhujangasana
  -Baddha Konasana
• Meditation is a great way to relieve stress and manage your mental health. Remember, stress is also known to cause Hypomenorrhea. So managing stress is an important Hypomenorrhea home remedy to deal with a low period flow.

Note: Difference between Hypomenorrhea and Oligomennorhea
There is a lot of confusion among people when it comes to the difference between the two medical conditions. People often use the term interchangeably, however, there is a clear distinction between them. Hypomenorrhea is characterised by light periods whereas Oligomennorhea is characterized by infrequent periods. A woman who regularly does not menstruate over 35 days may be diagnosed with this condition.

Oligomenorrhea has several causes that include hormonal birth control side effects, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, excessive physical activities, diabetes, thyroid disorders or higher levels of prolactin hormone in the blood.

So, if you regularly undergo no menstruation for over 35 days, make sure you meet a gynaecologist to get it checked.

Remember, hypomenorrhea means light periods. Oligomenorrhea is infrequent menstruation.

1. Can Hypomenorrhea cause harm to the body?
Hypomenorrhea’s extent of harm can be determined only by your gynaecologist. If it’s hereditary, it’s often harmless but it can indicate PCOS, ectopic pregnancy and other disorders which require medical attention.

2. Is Hypomenorrhea curable?
Hypomenorrhea is not 100% curable but is completely manageable. Your gynaecologist will recommend the best course of hypomenorrhea treatment based on your diagnosis.

3. Can you prevent Hypomenorrhea?
A healthy Indian diet rich in nutrients and low in fat helps decrease the risk of Hypomenorrhea or very light periods. If not prevented, it can certainly be managed well through a disciplined lifestyle.

4. How do I book an appointment with a gynaecologist?
You just have to download the MFine app, search for a gynaecologist near you and book an appointment by filling out your details. You can teleconsult with your gynaecologist online and discuss your issues comfortably with him/her.

5. Is my information secure on the MFine app?
MFine takes your privacy very seriously. At MFine, we provide the utmost confidentiality to all our patients. No information is exchanged between your doctor and anyone else.