Irregular periods evaluation

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1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and ZIP code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Irregular periods can happen for many different reasons. An irregular period could be related to pregnancy, and some people experience irregular periods after giving birth, but there are several additional factors that can impact the timing and length of your menstrual cycle. These include:

Lifestyle factors, which can contribute to hormonal imbalances that affect menstruation. Examples include:

• Low body weight
• Excessive exercise
• Stress

Medical conditions that impact hormone levels and can cause missed or irregular periods, such as: 

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Thyroid malfunction
• Pituitary tumors
• Premature menopause

Structural amenorrhea, or physiological factors within the body that can cause an absence of menstruation. This includes:

• Uterine scarring
• Lack of reproductive organs
• Structural abnormality of the vagina

Other medical conditions that can cause menorrhagia (heavy periods), including:

• Hormone imbalance
• Dysfunction of the ovaries
• Pregnancy complications
• Uterine and cervical cancer
• Inherited bleeding disorders

There is no one-size-fits-all answer for treating irregular periods. The best way to treat them will depend on the original cause. However, some common treatments for irregular periods include birth control pills and hormone therapy. Lifestyle changes are another common treatment and could include things like increasing exercise and/or finding ways to reduce stress.

Painful or irregular periods can have several causes and may be symptoms of different medical conditions. When you visit a health care provider, they may ask you a series of questions. They may ask you about your lifestyle and sexual activity as well as other changes to your body or symptoms you’ve experienced.

Additionally, a provider may conduct an exam to check your pelvis, cardiovascular system (heart, blood vessels, blood, etc.), weight, heartbeat and blood pressure. Some other tests a provider might perform include:

• Pregnancy test
• Pap smear
• Ultrasound
• Blood test
• Urine test

If you miss 3 or more periods in a row or have concerns about abnormally heavy or long periods, you might want to consider a visit to MinuteClinic.

MinuteClinic providers can evaluate missed, painful or irregular periods by asking about your medical history and conducting a physical examination. They may also recommend a pelvic exam and order lab or imaging studies as needed. These may include blood tests, pelvic ultrasounds or biopsies (removal and examination) of menstrual tissue. 

A MinuteClinic provider can offer treatments or refer you to a specialist, depending on the results of your lab work and imaging studies. 

If your period is occasionally off by a few days or if your menstruation is lighter and shorter a couple of times, it may be due to one of the factors above. If you miss multiple periods or the timing of your cycle becomes inconsistent, you should consider working with a MinuteClinic provider to help you find possible causes and solutions for missed or irregular periods.