Talking to Your Doctor About Menstrual Disorders

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
En Español (Spanish Version)
Main Page
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Screening
Reducing Your Risk
Talking to Your Doctor
Living With Menstrual Disorders
Resource Guide

Talk openly and often with your healthcare provider. It will help you make the best choices for your care.

Tips for Getting Information

Here are some tips that will help you talk to your doctor:

  • Bring someone with you. It helps to have another person hear what is said and think of questions to ask. They may also be able to provide more details to the doctor.
  • Write down your questions so you do not forget them.
  • Write down the answers you get. Make sure you grasp what you are hearing. Ask for help, if needed.
  • Do not be afraid to ask questions. Ask where you can learn more. You have a right to know.

Questions to Ask

Heavy Bleeding

  • Am I bleeding more than I should?
  • What could be causing it?
  • What kinds of tests should I have?
  • How serious is this?
  • Where can I learn more?

About Your Risk of Problems Due to Heavy Bleeding

  • Am I at risk for anemia?
  • Do I need to be worried about infertility?
  • Are there any other problems I should be worried about?

About Treatments for Heavy Bleeding

  • What can be done to treat heavy bleeding?
  • Are there medicines that can help me? If so:
    • What benefits can I expect?
    • What side effects can I expect?
  • Are there any surgeries that can help? If so:
    • What benefits can I expect?
    • What are the risks?
  • Are there any alternative or complementary therapies that may help?
  • Is there anything else I can do to reduce the bleeding?

About Lack of Period

  • Why don't I have periods?
  • What kinds of tests should I have?
  • How serious is my problem?
  • Where can I learn more?

About Your Risk of Getting Problems Due to Lack of Period

  • Am I at risk for bone loss and osteoporosis?
  • Do I need to be worried about infertility?
  • Are there any other problems I should worry about?

About Treatments for Amenorrhea

  • How is this treated?
  • Are there medicines that can help me? If so:
    • What benefits can I expect?
    • What side effects can I expect?
  • Is there anything I can do to make my periods regular?
  • Are there any alternative or complementary therapies that may help?

About Your Outlook

  • Will my problem get better?
  • What should I do if this problem comes back?

About Lifestyle Changes

  • What changes can I make to help my problem?
  • Do I need to do anything about my eating, workouts, weight, stress, or other habits?
REFERENCES:

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: 11/25/2020