What Are the Causes of Scanty Menstruation?

Due to increasing societal pressures on modern women, more and more women report decreased menstrual flow. So, what causes scanty menstruation?

What Causes Scanty Menstruation?

In the absence of prior intrauterine procedures (e.g., dilation and curettage, hysteroscopy), a sudden reduction in menstrual volume compared with previous cycles warrants consideration of pregnancy—particularly ectopic pregnancy—if the current period is markedly lighter than usual. Therefore, serum or urine human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) testing is essential in such cases. A history of intrauterine interventions—including induced abortion, intrauterine device (IUD) insertion or removal, or endometrial curettage—may result in endometrial injury or partial intrauterine adhesions (Asherman’s syndrome), leading to reduced menstrual flow.

Another common cause involves hormonal fluctuations—such as declining ovarian function, insufficient estrogen levels, or relatively inadequate progesterone—which may manifest as reduced menstrual volume, prolonged menses, or altered menstrual cycle length. These changes are often associated with diminished ovarian reserve and are particularly prevalent among perimenopausal and menopausal women. Additionally, excessive weight loss may directly contribute to oligomenorrhea: many women impose stringent body-image standards upon themselves for various reasons, and extreme dieting can lead to nutritional deficiencies that adversely affect menstrual volume.

During menstruation, attention should be paid to dietary habits. Avoid raw, cold, or cooling foods before and during menses. For women experiencing dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia due to cold-induced blood stasis, spicy or drying foods must be strictly avoided, as they may exacerbate heat in the blood and worsen bleeding. Furthermore, self-medication should be avoided; treatment of dysmenorrhea must be individualized according to its underlying pattern (i.e., based on TCM differential diagnosis). We hope this information proves helpful!