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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYour first appointment will likely be with your primary care physician or a gynecologist.
Because appointments can be brief, and it can be difficult to remember everything you want to discuss, it's a good idea to prepare in advance of your appointment.
What you can do
To make the best use of the limited time, plan ahead and make lists of important information, including:
- Detailed descriptions of all your symptoms and when they began. For instance, keeping track of the irregularity of your periods or lack of periods on a calendar provides your doctor useful information.
- Names and dosages of all medications you take, including nonprescription drugs and supplements.
- Questions for your doctor, such as what treatment options are available.
Questions your doctor may ask
To gain a better understanding of what you're going through, your doctor may ask you several questions. Think about how you'll respond — and even write out some answers — in advance of your appointment so that you're fully prepared and don't forget any important details.
Questions your doctor may ask include:
- Do you have occasional menstrual periods or no periods at all?
- Are you sexually active?
- Could you be pregnant?
- How long have you experienced your symptoms?
- Have you had any abdominal or pelvic surgeries?
- Have you ever experienced a head injury or other trauma to your central nervous system?
- Do you have any family members, for instance your mother or sister, who have experienced amenorrhea?
- How much distress do your symptoms cause you?
- Have you experienced unexplained weight gain or weight loss?
- How often and how intensely do you exercise?
- What medications or vitamin supplements do you take?
During your appointment, speak up if you don't understand something. It's important that you understand the reason for any tests or treatments that are recommended.
- Welt CK, et al. Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of secondary amenorrhea. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Lobo RA. Primary and secondary amenorrhea and precocious puberty: Etiology, diagnostic evaluation, management. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128045551-2/0/1524/252.html?tocnode=53759937&fromURL=252.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50041-8_1217. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Cohen DP. Amenorrhea. In: Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:648.
- Welt CK, et al. Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of primary amenorrhea. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Master-Hunter T, et al. Amenorrhea: Evaluation and treatment. American Family Physician. 2006;73:1374.
- Goldberg AB, et al. Injectable contraceptives. In: Hatcher RA, et al. Contraceptive Technology. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: Ardent Media; 2007:157.
- Kennedy KI, et al. Postpartum contraception and lactation. In: Hatcher RA, et al. Contraceptive Technology. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: Ardent Media; 2007:403.
