Title: What is the reason for infrequent menstruation?
In the past 10 days, discussions about "low menstrual flow" have become increasingly popular on social media and health forums, with many women expressing concern about this. Low menstrual flow (medically known as "oligomenorrhoea") may be caused by a variety of factors. This article will analyze the causes from physiology, pathology, lifestyle and other aspects, and provide structured data to help readers quickly understand.
1. Common causes of low menstrual flow
| Classification | specific reasons | Typical performance |
|---|---|---|
| physiological factors | Age (puberty or perimenopause) | Irregular menstrual periods, gradually decreasing amount |
| Lactation | Delayed or light menstruation | |
| genetic factors | Women in the family generally have less menstrual flow | |
| Pathological factors | Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) | Oligomenorrhea, scant menstruation, acne/hirsutism |
| intrauterine adhesions | Menstrual flow suddenly decreases after abortion | |
| hypothyroidism | Low menstrual flow accompanied by chills and fatigue | |
| premature ovarian insufficiency | Menstrual flow continues to decrease before the age of 40 | |
| lifestyle | Excessive dieting/malnutrition | It is more likely to occur when BMI＜18.5 |
| chronic stress | With anxiety and insomnia | |
| strenuous exercise | Reduced menstrual flow is common among athletes |
2. Recent hot topics on the Internet
According to the analysis of social media data in the past 10 days, the following topics are the most discussed:
| platform | hot topics | Amount of discussions (articles) |
|---|---|---|
| #Will long-term wearing of masks affect menstruation# | 128,000 | |
| little red book | "Less menstruation after COVID-19 vaccine" experience post | 62,000 |
| Zhihu | “Will drinking ice water every day lead to reduced menstrual flow?” | 35,000 |
| Tik Tok | #Low menstrual flow diet therapy plan# | 9.8 million views |
3. Situations that require vigilance
If low menstrual flow is accompanied by the following symptoms, it is recommended to seek medical treatment in time:
1. Sudden menstrual flow decreases for more than 3 menstrual cycles
2. Accompanied by severe dysmenorrhea or non-menstrual bleeding
3. Sudden weight loss or weight gain (more than 10%)
4. Abnormal increase in hair or severe hair loss
5. Planning to get pregnant but having irregular cycles
4. Recent expert advice
In response to hotly debated issues on the Internet, an obstetrics and gynecology expert from a tertiary hospital put forward in a recent live broadcast:
1. The COVID-19 vaccine may cause 1-2 menstrual cycle abnormalities, but they usually recover within 3 months.
2. Daily caffeine intake >300mg (about 3 cups of coffee) may affect menstrual flow
3. When BMI＜17 or body fat rate＜22%, the risk of abnormal menstruation increases significantly.
4. It is recommended to record the menstrual cycle status (including menstrual volume, color, and degree of dysmenorrhea) for at least 3 months before seeking treatment.
5. Self-examination and improvement suggestions
You can initially assess menstrual flow in the following ways:
| Menstrual flow grading | Sanitary napkin usage | Estimated blood loss |
|---|---|---|
| normal | Replace 4-6 tablets every day, soak 1/2-2/3 of each tablet | 20-80ml |
| Too little | <3 tablets per day, only a small amount of spotting | <20ml |
Improvement suggestions:
1. Ensure daily intake of high-quality protein (eggs/fish/soy products)
2. Supplement iron-containing foods (animal liver, spinach)
3. Avoid staying up late (> falling asleep at 23:00)
4. Moderate exercise (3-5 times a week, ≤1 hour each time)
Note: The data in this article are synthesized from the National Health Commission’s health guidelines, popular science articles in tertiary hospitals and public discussion data on social media (statistical time: the past 10 days). Individual situations vary, so please follow your doctor’s advice for specific diagnosis and treatment.
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