The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. You will also be asked about your periods. A physical exam will be done. A pelvic exam may also be done.
These tests may be done to look for a cause of heavy bleeding:
A blood test will be done to find out whether the woman is pregnant. The test can also look for:
Genetic tests may also be done to find the cause.
An MRI scan may be done to check for pituitary tumor.
Abnormal uterine bleeding. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/approach-to/abnormal-uterine-bleeding. Updated October 10, 2019. Accessed November 14, 2019.
Amenorrhea. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/amenorrhea. Updated January 16, 2018. Accessed November 14, 2019.
Bleeding Disorders in Women. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/blooddisorders/women/index.html. Updated April 25, 2018. Accessed November 14, 2019.
Klein DA, Poth MA. Amenorrhea: an approach to diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. 2013 Jun 1;87(11):781-788.
Last reviewed September 2019 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Elliot M. Levine, MD, FACOG
Last Updated: 11/24/2020