Oligomenorrheais infrequent or unusually light bleeding during your menstrual periods.
There are several causes of oligomenorrhea, some of which are harmless.
In fact, light menstrual periods may be totally normal for you.
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However, in some instances, oligomenorrhea can be a sign of a more serious health condition.
Some variation in a persons menstrual cycle throughout their life is normal.
Thehormones that influence the menstrual cyclecan be temporarily influenced by a number of different factors.
You may have no other symptoms at all.
The blood may be dark brown, red, or a faint light pink color.
Of course, an egg does not always find its way to the uterus.
For example, you might typically get a period every 30 days.
Then, they start coming less frequently: every 35, 40, or more days.
They may also be lighter than usual.
In some cases, your period may be heavier, especially if it’s occurring at less frequent intervals.
This may be because ovulation isn’t occurring and the uterine lining builds up more than it should.
As time goes on, hormones usually stabilize.
Life Changes
Menstrual cycles may also change in response to other changes in a persons life.
For example, getting pregnant, giving birth, and breastfeeding a baby can all affect a persons periods.
Being malnourished can cause your periods to become erratic and they may even stop (amenorrhea).
People with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa who become severely underweight often stop having a menstrual cycle.
Some elite athletes have very light periods or no period at all due to the intensity of their training.
Being Overweight
On the other end, beingoverweight or obesecan also affect your cycle.
Estrogen, a key hormone for regulating menstruation, is found in body fat.
Having more body fat increases your estrogen levels, which can impact the menstrual cycle.
Weight-related causes of menstrual cycle irregularities can usually be addressed by maintaining a healthy weight.
Certain Medications
Certain medications, especiallyhormonal birth control, can majorly change a persons menstrual cycle.
If you use birth control irregularly or change methods frequently, it can cause abnormal or unpredictable bleeding.
You may need to see a specialist in reproductive health, called an obstetrician/gynecologist (OBGYN).
They will ask you more in-depth questions and may do an exam.
They can use this information to figure out what’s causing it.
Your healthcare provider may perform apelvic exam, which includes an internal visual exam using a speculum.
This helps your OBGYN see inside your vagina, up to your cervix.
Using a lubricated, gloved, finger they will gently feel inside your rectum and vagina.
You may experience some brief discomfort or feel embarrassed, but the exam will be over quickly.
To start, you may need to provide a blood or urine sample.
These can be tested for a number of conditions that can cause menstrual irregularities.
Which treatment is right for you will depend on the cause as well as your overall health.
Some types of treatments may not be right for you even if they work well for other people.
Your healthcare provider can help you decide which one is right for you.
You may need to try more than one method to find one that helps your symptoms.
Your healthcare provider will help you decide if the risks outweigh the benefits.
When you resume having sex, be sure that you consistently practice safer sexual practices.
Different healthcare providers specialize in treating different parts of the body.
Once your condition is being managed, you will likely notice symptoms such as oligomenorrhea begin to resolve.
While it’s less common, you may also be diagnosed with a more serious condition.
If your ovaries and uterus are completely removed, you will no longer have a menstrual cycle.
A Word From Verywell
Oligomenorrhea is having infrequent or abnormally light periods.
Some of these causes are only temporary and may resolve on their own.
However, other more serious causes, including several types of reproductive cancer, need early diagnosis and treatment.
Your healthcare provider will help you make an informed decision about treating anymenstrual irregularitiesyou experience.
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