What is hypomenorrhea and what are its causes?

In some stages of life, women suffer from some disorders in the normal functioning of the body, which alter the physiological cycle and their quality of life, for example when hypomenorrhea occurs. 

In this article, we provide you with information about what hypomenorrhea is and what its causes are.

What is hypomenorrhea?

Hypomenorrhea is a term used in medicine to identify a disorder that consists of decreased menstrual flow in terms of quantity and duration, due to a reduction in the production of hormones that stimulate ovulation in women. (1)

Note: Hypomenorrhea can occur in adult or adolescent women, due to a pathology that may be underlying and has not been diagnosed.

It should be noted that among the most outstanding symptoms of hypomenorrhea are scarce menstruation, pain or uterine contraction accompanied by headaches and backaches and in some cases nausea, vomiting , indigestion and constipation .

What are the causes of hypomenorrhea?

Below, we list the most common causes for which hypomenorrhea can occur:

1. Hormonal and weight changes

Hormonal changes related to a woman’s reproductive system usually alter her menstrual cycle by decreasing the amount and duration of the period.

To highlight: Alterations in body weight, either up or down (anorexia or bulimia) in an uncontrolled way, can cause changes in the cycles and production of female hormones , giving rise to the appearance of hypomenorrhea. (two)

2. Infections and diseases

Infectious diseases that affect the female reproductive system can cause a dysfunction in the woman’s menstrual cycle, altering both the amount of flow and its duration, characteristic symptoms of hypomenorrhea.

Likewise, diseases in the reproductive system , such as polycystic ovary syndrome (3) , produce an imbalance in hormone levels that prevent women from ovulating, affecting menstrual flow.

3. Intrauterine device

Similarly, both the use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) and hormonal ones (4) use progestin to protect against pregnancy and reduce the growth of the endometrium, decreasing the amount of bleeding ; however, this side effect is totally normal.

You should know: It has also been described that the use of hormonal contraceptive methods commonly cause hypomenorrhea, because they prevent the ovulation process. (5)

4. Aging and stress

Another cause of hypomenorrhea is the normal aging of women where menopause naturally appears and with it the decrease in the production of sex hormones, with the consequent disappearance of menstruation.

Stress that is not properly controlled can also increase the level of cortisol in the blood and when this happens in women, this hormone prevents the brain from stimulating the production of hormones such as progesterone and estrogen, limiting ovulation and the start of the cycle. menstrual. (6)

5. Intense exercise

Physical exercise, when performed intensely and without planning, leads the body to excessive stress , affecting the menstrual cycle.

This is how excessive exercise and a very low calorie diet can cause scanty menstrual periods if the proportion of body fat falls below a certain level.

6. Pregnancy

Due to natural physiological processes of the woman’s body, when the fertilization of the ovum occurs, a series of changes immediately occur to prepare her body for pregnancy, and among these physiological changes is the temporary suspension of menstrual cycles.

How is hypomenorrhea cured?

When hypomenorrhea is not associated with a complex pathology, these simple tips can help you treat hypomenorrhea naturally:

1. Eat properly

One of the main strategies for the treatment of hypomenorrhea consists of an adequate diet to avoid this problem.

Note: If your intention is to lose weight, you should not eliminate micro and macronutrients from your diet that guarantee adequate production of sex hormones such as progesterone and estrogen, which are responsible, among other things, for regulating the menstrual cycle. (7)

2. Moderate physical exercise

Physical activity is necessary to keep the body healthy and promote all its physiological functions.

That is why the exercise plan that you want to carry out depending on the objective you want to achieve, must be guided by a professional in sports conditioning , who will surely guide you correctly in an exercise plan that leads you to reach your goals and does not alter the normal functioning of the body in women.

3. Avoid stress

The incidence of increased cortisol, due to stress on the menstrual cycle in women , has already been mentioned .

To highlight: In these circumstances, it is appropriate to practice relaxation exercises such as meditation or yoga, also perform breathing exercises or practice various sports activities to avoid stress and its consequences .

4. Go to the doctor if necessary

If you suspect that you suffer from a decrease in menstrual flow for several months in a row, it is recommended that you see your gynecologist who, after carrying out some exploratory tests, will be able to make a diagnosis of the disorder you are suffering from and decide on the appropriate therapeutic intervention for your case.

Key Conclusions

• Hypomenorrhea is a term to identify a disorder in which the menstrual flow decreases in terms of quantity and duration.
• Hypomenorrhea can occur in women of any age.
• Hypomenorrhea occurs due to a hormonal alteration , stress, poor diet or intense exercise.
• If hypomenorrhea is not associated with a complex disease, it can be treated by natural means .