I am 18 years old. My period has been lighter than usual. Last month which was December on the 25th-29th the bleeding was light red or light pink. A couple dark red spots on the first day but that was it. It lasted the four days which is normal but it was just way lighter than usual. Now yesterday January 21st, my period came back but its still not dark red. It's a very light red. I felt normal menstrual symptoms that indicated that my period was coming and I was relieved but now I am nervous because it is still light.

Some additional information, I am sexually active. I've only ever had one sex partner. We use condoms and go raw. I am pretty sure that I am not pregnant but I am worried about what the problem might be. Also, the light spotting has happened before during the summer that just passed in June and then again in July. But with those situations my period had eventually bled normally a couple weeks after at most. Then my flows in the following months have been normal until December and now its happening again as I write this. Please help.

There can be a few possible reasons for a lighter than normal period, and sometimes no apparent reason at all, just an off cycle now and then. It may be that you've experienced a shift in hormones... Which can be caused by something such as PCOS, or just a slight fluctuation. More stress than usual may be enough to cause a change. Substantial changes in diet or exercise may e enough for some women.

Sometimes pregnancy will result in slight bleeding early on. Some women just have irregular cycles on occasion.

Most likely it is not a medical concern, but you can always mention it at your next gynecological visit. If your cycle continues to be off from your norm, it would be a good idea to have things checked out.