Light Periods: What they could mean for your hormones and fertility.

Light periods can be normal, or could be a sign your body is trying to tell you something. If your bleed is consistently short, light, or has changed over time, it could be your body’s way of flagging that something’s out of sync.

As a fertility acupuncturist, I see this a lot. In Chinese medicine, we look at light periods as a sign that the body may not be making or moving blood properly, or that hormone levels need support.

Whether you’re trying to conceive, or simply trying to understand your cycle better, this post explores what light periods can mean and why they’re worth paying attention to.

What counts as a “light” period?

There’s no official definition, but generally, a light period might look like:

• Bleeding for only 1–2 days

• Needing just a pantyliner or light pad

• A flow that feels more like spotting

• Pink, watery blood or brown discharge rather than a steady red flow

• A period that’s always been short and light, or has become that way over time

The medical term for light periods is Hypomenorrhoea. It’s important to mention that what’s normal for one person isn’t always normal for another, but if your bleed has changed, or if you’re trying to conceive, it’s worth exploring why.

From a medical perspective: what can cause a light period?

There are several reasons why your period might be lighter than expected. Some are temporary, others might need a closer look.

1. Low oestrogen

Oestrogen helps to build your endometrial lining during the first half of your cycle. If levels are too low, there may not be much lining to shed. Your endometrial thickening can be measured on a transvaginal ultrasound in the luteal phase, if your lining measures  less than 7mm, your chances of conception might be lower. If your lining measures 10mm or more at this point, then this is more ideal for pregnancy.

During an IVF cycle, the lining is closely monitored. If it appears thin, the consultant may use tools such as oestrogen support, baby aspirin, or vaginal sildenafil (Viagra), though some of these are off-label. The goal is to improve blood flow and encourage a thicker lining in women who’ve struggled to build one in previous cycles.

2. Thyroid dysfunction

Both underactive and overactive thyroid conditions can cause menstrual changes, including light or irregular bleeding. Even “subclinical” thyroid imbalances can affect cycles and ovulation. An advanced full thyroid panel is often needed to get the full picture, not just TSH.

3. PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

With PCOS, some women experience very light or absent periods due to infrequent or absent ovulation. Without ovulation, the lining often doesn’t build up properly.

4. Scarring After Surgery (Asherman’s or Cervical Stenosis)

If your periods got lighter after a D&C, or surgery, scarring could be part of the picture.

Asherman’s affects the uterus lining; cervical stenosis narrows the cervix and can block proper flow. Both can cause light, painful or irregular bleeds and make conception harder.

They’re often missed, so if your symptoms started after a procedure, it’s worth speaking with your doctor.

5. Nutrient deficiencies and low body weight

Low iron, B12, zinc, and vitamin D levels can all affect hormone production. Being underweight or undernourished can also suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, which controls your cycle.

Some vegetarian diets may lack key nutrients like zinc and iron. Diets very high in unfermented soy or legumes may have an effect on hormone metabolism in sensitive individuals although there is little research about this.

6. Chronic stress

If you’re always in “fight or flight,” your body may down-regulate non-essential systems like reproduction. High cortisol can interfere with fertility hormones, ovulation and lining development.

7. Luteal phase defect

If progesterone levels are low after ovulation, the endometrial lining may not be maintained properly, sometimes leading to shorter or lighter bleeds. Working with a fertility acupuncturist can help you to pinpoint your ovulation to calculate your luteal phase, and determine if it’s sufficient. This is especially important when trying to conceive.

8. Early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)

If your periods have become lighter, shorter, or less frequent.  If you’re also feeling more tired, anxious, warm at night, or your sleep is suffering, it’s worth considering whether your hormones are shifting earlier than expected.

Early menopause is when periods stop (for an entire year) before age 45. Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is when ovarian function declines before age 40. Both can start subtly, with lighter bleeds, shorter cycles, or months when you don’t ovulate at all.

It’s more common than many realise — around 1 in 100 women under 40 and 1 in 20 under 45. Yet it’s often missed, because symptoms are vague and unfortunately dismissed as stress.

Testing that can help to identify whether this may be the cause of the light bleed

• FSH, LH (on day 2–3 of your cycle)

• Oestradiol

• Thyroid antibodies, as POI is sometimes linked to autoimmune issues

A word on AMH

AMH is often tested as a marker of ovarian reserve, but I sometimes call it the “anxiety-making hormone.”

You can absolutely conceive naturally with a low AMH. It doesn’t predict whether you’ll get pregnant. It only gives an idea of how you might respond to stimulation in IVF.

But once someone sees a low number, it’s easy to become completely focused on it. That can cause panic, even when it’s not warranted. Worse, it can shift all the attention onto AMH and lead to other important areas being overlooked — like male factor or underlying issues that haven’t yet been investigated.

In fact, one large study published in JAMA in 2017 followed over 750 women aged 30 to 44 who were trying to conceive naturally. Those with low AMH did not have reduced fertility. In some cases, pregnancy rates were just as high as those with higher AMH.

So while AMH can be useful in an IVF setting, it’s a poor predictor of your ability to conceive naturally.

If you’re planning IVF, AMH can be helpful. It gives a rough idea of how your ovaries might respond to medication. But outside of that, it doesn’t tell the whole story. And it’s certainly not the full picture of your fertility.

9. Normal variation

Some people just have naturally lighter periods. If your cycles are regular and you’re ovulating, it might be your normal. But if things have changed or you’re struggling to conceive, it’s worth investigating.

10. Pregnancy

A light bleed could be implantation bleeding, especially if it’s pink or brown and shorter than usual. If there’s any chance you might be pregnant, take a test or speak to your GP.

Chinese medicine and light periods

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, light periods are usually seen as a sign that the body isn’t producing or circulating blood effectively. Scanty periods can be caused by a TCM diagnosis such as Blood deficiency, Qi deficiency, Kidney Yin deficiency, Phlegm- Damp, Cold in the uterus, or Blood stasis , each with its own underlying causes and presentations.

Your acupuncturist will look at your whole system, symptoms and not just your cycle. By asking about your health, taking your pulse, and examining your tongue, they’ll identify underlying pattern and tailor treatment to support a healthier flow and more balanced hormones.

What can help light periods?

If your period is consistently light, and especially if you’re trying to conceive, here are some things I often explore with clients:

1. Proper testing

• Full thyroid panel: TSH, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies

• Hormonal profile: oestradiol, FSH, LH, prolactin, progesterone

• Nutrients: iron, B12, folate, vitamin D, zinc

2. Nervous system support

Stress and burnout are common in women with light periods. Acupuncture helps shift the body out of survival mode, improves blood flow to the uterus, and supports ovulation and lining development.

3. Blood-nourishing foods

In Chinese medicine, Blood deficiency is one of the most common causes of scanty periods. You can absolutely nourish your blood by including blood nourishing foods in your diet. This includes stews, bone broth, dates, eggs, beetroot, small amounts of red meat or liver, leafy greens, black sesame, and rice. Animal organs are often the most beneficial for severe depletion. You should also avoid too many raw, cold foods, salted or denatured foods as this weakens the blood.

4. Acupuncture and moxibustion

Regular acupuncture and moxibustion can help to regulate your cycle, improve blood flow to the reproductive organs, and address the Chinese medicine underlying diagnosis.  Moxa (mugwort) is especially helpful for nourishing blood and warming the womb.

5. Optimising sleep

Sleep is where hormones get made and regulated. Aim for 7–8 hours of proper rest — studies have shown this range is linked to better fertility outcomes. Less (or more) than this is associated with poorer reproductive health.

6. Supplements and food sources that might be beneficial

Certain vitamins and minerals may support a healthier bleed by improving hormone balance, blood flow, and endometrial development. This can be especially helpful if your light periods are linked to nutrient deficiencies, low oestrogen, or poor circulation.

Supplements and food sources which may be beneficial:

• Iron – If your ferritin is low, this can affect oxygen delivery and lining development.

• Vitamin B12 and folate – Essential for cell growth and hormone function. Low levels can affect ovulation and endometrial health.

• Zinc – Supports hormone production and the menstrual cycle. Deficiency is more common in some vegetarians and vegans.

• Vitamin D – Important for ovarian health and immune balance. Low levels have been linked to thinner linings and menstrual irregularities.

• Vitamin E – Has been shown in small studies to support endometrial thickness and improve uterine blood flow, especially in IVF settings.

• Omega-3 fatty acids – Anti-inflammatory and hormone-supportive, found in oily fish or high-quality supplements.

Always check with a practitioner before starting new supplements, especially if you’re trying to conceive or taking other medications. I recommend seeking a fertility nutritionalist or functional medicine practitioner to test for deficiencies and create a plan for you.

7. Castor oil packs

I find castor oil packs really helpful for a variety of conditions, from poor blood flow, painful periods fo constipation.

There’s no definitive study saying castor oil packs grow your lining, but they may support some of the processes that do, such as  improving circulation, aiding detoxification pathways and reducing inflammation. For many women, especially with poor endometrial blood flow, they can be a beneficial.

It’s important to remember that Castor oil packs should be used only in the follicular phase (after your period, before ovulation) and should be avoided after ovulation if you’re trying to conceive. They must not be used in pregnancy or during the IVF cycle.

When to seek help

If your periods are light, irregular, or have changed over time, or if you’ve been trying to conceive without success, it’s worth looking a little deeper.

You don’t have to go through this feeling confused or brushed off. I work with women every day to understand their cycles, explore what’s missing, and create a treatment plan that makes sense for your body.

I offer specialist acupuncture in Leicester, with a focus on fertility, hormones and miscarriage support. If you’re dealing with light periods or cycle changes, I’d love to help.

Claire Norton Acupuncture | Leicester

Fertility, IVF & Miscarriage Support

Resources

Steiner AZ et al. Association Between Biomarkers of Ovarian Reserve and Infertility Among Older Reproductive Age Women. JAMA. 2017;318(14):1367–1376.