3 light periods in a row...what's going on?

Question

The last three months my periods have come on time but are lighter than normal and only last about 2 days. I started working out regularly about 3 months ago and I was wondering if this was the cause. I took a pregnancy test the other day and it was negative, but I am not sure if I can trust the test 100% because my urine was clear when I took it. What are the possibilities?

Answer 1

Your urine should be clear and not yellow. If you drink the amount of water you are supposed to drink a day (8 glasses)...your urine will be clear.

I don't think it is possible. Your body might just be going though an adjustment if you started something new in your life. If you have more stress or less stress. It can all affect our periods.

If you were three months pregnant....you would most likely have morning sickness along with it. But that isn't always the case.

Be happy!

Answer 2

irregular periods, possibly...read on

Irregular periods
by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP
To begin with, let me reassure you that most irregular periods are benign. Missed periods, too frequent periods, spotting, or bouts of heavy clotting and bleeding are usually caused by an underlying hormonal imbalance that is easily treated.
Most of us have missed a period at one point or another — some with anticipation of a pregnancy, others because of anxiety or tension. At the clinic, we see women who menstruate like clockwork, while others report never having had a regular cycle. One thing is a given, however: shifts in hormonal balance will alter whatever pattern a woman has experienced in the past. Such shifts are especially common in perimenopause.
What is an irregular period?
At the clinic we answer questions all the time about irregular periods. A textbook period happens every 24-29 days, but in truth what is “regular” covers a wide range. Cycles between 23–35 days are very common. A woman may get her period only one to four times a year. Or she might have periods that occur two to three times in a month and involve spotting or extremely heavy flow. Alternatively, she may have heavy episodes of bleeding every two to three months. Irregular periods are simply what is irregular for you.
For the most part, we don’t worry at the clinic about a missed period or two over the course of a year. More variation than that may indicate to us the beginning of perimenopause or a disruption of the natural chain of hormonal events that controls menstruation. A wide variety of factors can be responsible for irregular periods, among them:
·Significant weight gain or loss
·Over-exercise
·Poor nutrition (or a diet too high in carbohydrates)
·Smoking
·Drug use
·Caffeine
·Excessive alcohol use (interfering with how the liver metabolizes estrogen and progesterone)
·Eating disorders
·Increased stress
·Polycystic ovarian syndrome/estrogen dominance
·Uterine abnormalities (fibroids/cysts/polyps/endometriosis)
·Hormonal imbalance related to perimenopause
·Medications
·Chemotherapy
·Recent childbirth, miscarriage, or D&C
·Breastfeeding
As you can see, there are many different ways a woman can be irregular for as many different reasons, and it can be very confusing when it happens.
Why does being stressed out cause irregular periods?
When we are under stress, regardless of the source (danger, personal relationships, work, environment) our adrenal glands are designed to secrete the hormone cortisol (see our articles on adrenal fatigue). Cortisol has a direct impact on the sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and DHEA. Eating disorders, dieting, drug use, and reliance on stimulants like caffeine and alcohol are also interpreted by the body as kinds of stress. Poor nutrition seems to physically change the proteins in the brain so they can no longer send the proper signals for normal ovulation.
Am I in menopause if I have irregular periods?
No — irregular periods are generally an indication of hormonal imbalance, not necessarily related to menopause. Strictly speaking, women aren’t considered menopausal until they have gone for one year without a menstrual period.
If you have not had a menstrual period for a full year and then experience bleeding, this is different from irregular periods. We explain this in more detail in our article on post-menopausal bleeding.
By the way, it is a myth that a woman goes into menopause because her body runs out of eggs. If this were true, then women who experienced menarche (the first period in a woman’s life) earlier would enter menopause earlier. In fact, the opposite is true — early menarche is associated with late menopause. In the same vein, women who had more pregnancies and thereby fewer periods, would have menopause later, and that doesn’t happen, either. If you are experiencing increasing irregularity, you may be suffering from hormonal imbalance or entering perimenopause, and should be evaluated by a healthcare practitioner.
Am I in perimenopause if I have irregular periods?
Not necessarily, but irregular periods are one of the most common signals of perimenopause. That’s why it’s best to check in with a healthcare practitioner.
Women entering perimenopause often have irregular periods due to an imbalance of progesterone that upsets their cycle. Because progesterone regulates the amount and length of bleeding, periods can last longer and be accompanied by very heavy bleeding (also called menorrhagia or hypermenorrhagia). However, shorter or spottier periods can also indicate perimenopause. Click here to learn more about irregular periods in perimenopause.
What does it mean if I miss a period or two?
The most common type of irregular period we see at the clinic is anovulation, or a cycle in which a woman does not ovulate (i.e., does not release an egg). This is frequently the cause of a missed period (an anovulatory cycle) and is considered normal if it occurs only once or twice a year. Clotting is also considered normal if it is cyclic.
Sporadic episodes of poor diet, high stress, emotional trauma, illness, or strenuous physical exercise are the usual suspects behind occasional anovulatory cycles. Sometimes something as simple as a family holiday or a week with the in-laws will play havoc with a menstrual cycle. Monthly periods are quite susceptible to dips and spikes in our emotions and our health. For the most part, once our lives return to normal, so do our periods.
On the other hand, a woman will sometimes skip her period for a few months and then start a heavy period that lasts for days or even weeks. This can be a sign that a woman is entering perimenopause (see above).
More and more we are seeing patients of all ages who come in to the clinic with irregular periods due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), an easily recognizable and treatable condition that frequently occurs with insulin resistance. With PCOS, the ovaries produce a quantity of follicles that generate high levels of estrogen but never release an egg. The excessive estrogen stimulates the uterine lining to thicken to a point where it must slough off. Women with this condition are not having what are considered “real” menstrual periods because they do not regularly ovulate. For more information, we recommend you start with our article on insulin resistance, where you will find other helpful links about this topic.
What if I’m just spotting or not getting a period at all?
We’ve all heard stories from friends who’ve suddenly lost a lot of weight or begun a strenuous exercise regimen, then stopped getting their period. Anorexic women or those who exercise two to three hours a day can find their menstrual cycles diminish or stop due to a decrease in body fat. These women have low estrogen and are not ovulating. This is called stress-type hypothalamic amenorrhea, and it occurs when poor nutrition and stress alter the brain’s chemistry and hormone pathways. The brain can’t trigger the right hormones for follicle development, which make the necessary estrogens. Women with this irregularity tend to be at higher risk for bone loss (osteoporosis) and other degenerative conditions and should be evaluated. Click here for more information about amenorrhea.
Why does my period come twice a month?
In addition to missed periods, we also see women who get more than one period in the span of a month. The causes for this are relatively unknown, but stress and lifestyle seem once again to play a major role. Ingesting medication or other substances that disrupt the luteal phase may be a factor, as well.
I bleed really heavily when I get my period. What does this mean?
Low progesterone, PCOS, or another form of hormonal imbalance may be the culprit. If a woman has two or more successive months of heavy bleeding, a check-up is called for.
Any kind of heavy bleeding can contribute to anemia. When a patient has anemia, we try to stem the heavy menstrual flow and prescribe an iron supplement. Depending on the severity of the situation we may choose from a range of progesterone therapy options along with diet and exercise modifications to help rebalance the hormonal equation. Bioidentical over-the counter, compounded, or prescription formulations are often adequate. A more serious scenario may call for a synthetic progestin such as Aygestin or Provera to bring the bleeding back under control. We will also often suggest acupuncture for relief. Click here for more information about irregular periods in perimenopause.
What can I do about my irregular periods?
The first step is to talk to a healthcare practitioner if you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above. It’s a good idea to do the following:
·Have a complete physical, including evaluations of thyroid function and blood pressure. Also, a complete blood count (CBC) test is quite important for the diagnosis of anemia.

·A pelvic exam is critical to rule out any uterine abnormality, a cervical polyp or fibroid, or a uterine infection. These are less common causes but should be considered. Often an ultrasound will be required to evaluate the uterus, the ovaries and the fallopian tubes. Ultrasound of the uterus is useful and painless — you may already be familiar with this technique from pregnancy. If infection is a concern, antibiotics will be prescribed.

·If you are trying to become pregnant, consult with a fertility specialist or a qualified ob/gyn practitioner for further testing.
What is the treatment for irregular periods?
Most of the time, simply decreasing our stress, improving nutrition and adding adequate nutritional supplements can provide a natural way to restore regular menstrual cycles. These steps alone give the body a much needed boost and will support the natural hormonal balance and monthly cycles we are meant to enjoy… and appreciate!
If the issue stems from an anovulatory or perimenopausal condition, a doctor may prescribe birth control pills or progesterone to normalize the cycle. This is often successful. For most patients, we’ve seen a big improvement when positive steps are made to change their lifestyle, including:
·healthy dietary modifications

·supplementing nutritional gaps with a good multivitamin, calcium, magnesium, and fish oil

·decreasing intake of refined carbohydrates

·moderating your exercise (this may require increasing or decreasing your current level of exercise)

·stress relief through exercise or other relaxation techniques

·reprioritizing one’s commitments

For the majority of women who make these changes, a normal menstrual cycle returns without a hitch. In short, we think that most irregular periods are usually nothing to worry about and can be successfully addressed with straightforward, practical measures available to every woman.
http://www.womentowomen.com/menstruation/irregularperiods.asp
Missed or Irregular Periods

Topic Overview


Most women have between 11 and 13 menstrual periods each year. You may be different: You may have more or fewer. Missed or irregular periods must be looked at in terms of what is normal for you.
Periods are often irregular during the first few years after menstruation starts. It may take several years for the hormones that control menstruation to reach a balance.
Menstrual periods also may be very irregular at the other end of the menstrual years. Many women realize that they are approaching perimenopause and menopause when their otherwise regular periods become irregular. Menopause occurs when it has been 12 months since you have had a menstrual period.
Pregnancy is the most common cause of a missed period. If you might be pregnant, treat yourself as though you are pregnant until you know for sure. Use a home pregnancy test as the first step to finding out whether you are pregnant.
If you are not pregnant, other causes of missed or irregular periods include:
·Excessive weight loss or gain. Although low body weight is a common cause of missed or irregular periods, obesity also can cause menstrual problems.
·Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia. For more information, see the topic Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa.
·Increased exercise. Missed periods are common in endurance athletes.
·Extreme emotional stress.
·Travel.
·Medications, such as hormonal birth control methods, which may cause lighter, less frequent, more frequent, or skipped periods.
·Hormonal abnormalities, which cause fluctuating levels of the hormones needed to support menstruation.
·Illegal drug use.
·Problems with the pelvic organs , such as imperforate hymen, polycystic ovary syndrome, or Asherman's syndrome.
·Breast-feeding. Many women do not resume regular periods until they have completed breast-feeding.
http://www.webmd.com/hw/womens_conditions/hw96700.asp
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/menstru.htm

Answer 3

You are not pregnant.You have no signs of being pregnant.Dont waste your money on those pregnancy test until you have syptoms that you are pregnant.Go to OB/GYN and see whats going on with you.My periods is not the same as they always has been.Agrees with DAPPERDAN.lol

Answer 4

You should be happy. As long as you're getting your period on time don't complain.