Diagnosis of Menstrual Disorders

At Your Visit

You will be asked about:

• Your family and past health
• Your lifestyle, eating, and workout habits
• Stress
• Changes in body weight
• Your menstrual periods
• Birth control

Your doctor will also do an exam. A pelvic exam will be part of this.

Tests

You may have one or more of these tests:

• Blood tests—Your doctor will measure levels of hormones and check for pregnancy and other problems like low iron.
• Endometrial biopsy —A small amount of tissue is scraped from the lining of your womb and looked at under a microscope.
• Ultrasound—A tool that uses sound waves to make a picture of your pelvic organs is placed on your belly or inside of your vagina.
• Laparoscopy —A thin tube with a tiny camera is placed through a small cut below or through your navel to let the doctor look inside your belly.
• Hysteroscopy —A thin tube with a tiny camera is placed into your vagina and up through your cervix to let the doctor see inside your womb.

Amenorrhea (Lack of Menstruation)

It may be hard for your doctor to find out the cause.

More Tests

Other tests that may be done are:

• Pictures of the brain to check the pituitary gland—Sometimes a small, noncancerous growth can make too much hormones that get in the way of the normal period.
• Ultrasound scans of your belly and pelvis
• Chromosome studies