Missed Or Irregular Periods: Preparing For Your Appointment

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Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

You can help your health professional diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• What was the date of your last menstrual period?
  • When was your previous period? Was it normal?
  • If you are a teen, do you have regular cycles, such as a period every 21 to 45 days?
  • If you are an adult, do you have regular cycles, such as a period every 21 to 35 days?
• How old were you when your periods began?
• Are you sexually active?
• What type of birth control are you using? How long have you been using it?
• Have you missed any birth control pills or failed to have your hormonal injection according to schedule?
• Have you done a home pregnancy test? When did you do the test? What was the result?
• Have you been under increased physical or emotional stress?
• Have you recently changed your diet or exercise habits?
• Have you recently gained or lost weight?
• What prescription and nonprescription medicines are you taking? Are you using illegal drugs?
• Do you have any health risks?

Last updated:	July 05, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer