When You Visit Your Doctor - Irregular Menstrual Periods

Irregular Menstrual Periods

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

• Have you been experiencing high levels of stress?
• How much do you exercise?
• Have you ever had an eating disorder?
• Have you lost weight recently?
• Have you been intolerant of heat or cold.
• Have you had rapid heartbeats, dry skin, hair loss, constipation or diarrhea, or a change in weight (these are symptoms of thyroid abnormalities, which can cause irregular periods)?
• Do you have abnormal body hair?
• Have you gained weight?
• Do you have regular menstrual cycles?
• Is your bleeding always heavy or prolonged?
• How old were you when you started menstruating?
• How long ago did you develop irregular periods?
• When you do have your period, is it accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal cramping, mood changes, and bloating?
• Are you sexually active?
• When was your last period?
• How many times have you been pregnant?
• What was the outcome of each pregnancy (live births, miscarriages, cesarean sections)?
• Have you ever had difficulty getting pregnant?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

• Heart rate, blood pressure, and weight
• Heart and lungs
• Pelvic examination

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

• Pregnancy test
• Blood tests for certain hormone levels (thyroid stimulating hormone, cortisol, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, DHEA)
• 24-hour urine collection for free cortisol
• Pelvic ultrasound
• Pap smear (see p. 1066)