Tests for Irregular Periods | Blood Test, Hormonal test, Abdominal scan & More

"The tests we do for irregular periods depends on the cause of irregular periods. The causes can be from the brain that is the hypothalamopituitary axis, or in the ovaries or the uterus. Our investigations depends on where can be the pathology. So a simple history taking will help us diagnose. So a good menstrual history is very important. Second we may just do an examination, just to look if the area is very normal, with a hymen or if there is an infection. Third is we do the blood test, that is we do hormonal tests to see if the menstrual flow is good. So we do a few array of hormonal test. To name them they are the follicular stimulating hormone luteinizing hormone, estrogen, progesterone and most important is the thyroid and the prolactin. So if there is any variation in that, if it is a thyroid we can address the issue. If it is a pituitary gland, then we do a little bit of investigation. If the hormone levels are normal, we do the next level of abdominal scans. There are two types of abdominal scans that is transabdominal or transvaginal. Most of the times the radiologist will ask for a transvaginal scan because most of the organs could be probably seen in a better view doing a transvaginal scan. If you are not comfortable and if you feel there are tumors in the ovary, we would what a transabdominal scan as well. This will tell us the ovarian and uterine cause. Tuberculosis of the uterus is some condition were we would want to do a diagnostic D&C and test for TB of the uterus also if it becomes beyond this stage where it shows normal in the uterus , ovaries or the hormonal assay we may have to go upto the brain tissues where we have to do MRI of the brain called as prolactinomas and a CT scan. Even some of the investigation like knowing the karyotyping of a woman may be required"