Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Unusually light period while on the pill
Answered by
J.M. Keyes, MD - Family Medicine
Gainesville - FL
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Unusually light period while on the pill
by runner115, Apr 17, 2008 10:11AM
Hello. I am sexually active, on the pill, and usually have very regular periods. This month it came exactly on time but was much lighter than normal. It has still been continuous and some red blood but mainly brown. I took all of my pills on time. Do you think this means I am pregnant? I also ran a pretty fast half marathon (under 7 min pace and hadn't trained that intensely for it) for the first time about a week before it was to start. Could this make my period lighter?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by J.M. Keyes, MD, Apr 17, 2008 11:53AM
, Apr 17, 2008 11:53AM
To: runner115
First of all, congratulations on your half marathon. That's great, and a really fast pace! Immpressive.
If you have taken all of your pills on time, and had bleeding at the time of your regular menses, I would not be concerned about pregnancy. It is definitely possible that your running schedule has had an effect on your period, as it is common for distance runners to have very light periods, and even become amenorrheic (stop having periods all together)- although if this happened to you, you should take a preg test just to be sure. Also, there is concern about amenorrhea in runners, because there is also an association with decreased bone mass (osteoporosis), and can cause fertility problems when/if you decide you want children.
JMK MD
If you have taken all of your pills on time, and had bleeding at the time of your regular menses, I would not be concerned about pregnancy. It is definitely possible that your running schedule has had an effect on your period, as it is common for distance runners to have very light periods, and even become amenorrheic (stop having periods all together)- although if this happened to you, you should take a preg test just to be sure. Also, there is concern about amenorrhea in runners, because there is also an association with decreased bone mass (osteoporosis), and can cause fertility problems when/if you decide you want children.
JMK MD
Is amenorrhea that common when one is on the pill? I was just concerned about this episode because previously I have noticed some effects on my period from running but never this much since I have been on the pill.
Thanks.
runner115
"IF YOU HAVE TAKEN ALL PILLS CORRECTLY and have a very light or miss a period, keep taking your pills.
IF YOU MISS TWO PERIODS, in a row, call the clinic.
IF YOU MISS ANY PILLS AND MISS A PERIOD, call the clinic. You may need a pregnancy test. "
As long as you are still getting a period, even if light, I would keep doing what you're doing,
Keep up the running!
JMK MD
I have a question. I've been on the pill for about three and half months, my period just ended about a week & and half ago, during the right time, sugar pill week. Then now, while on the normal pills (pink) I got my period again, and its not completely red either...its darker. I'm just confused as to why i've gotten it again and while on the normal pills. Any help would be appreciated.