Diagnostic Tests for Heavy periods

Diagnostic Test list for Heavy periods:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Heavy periods includes:

• Physical examination
  • Examine for signs of bleeding disorder - e.g. widespread bruising, swollen joints, bleeding gums.
  • Speculum examination looking for cervicitis, cervical "erosion", cervical cancer, cervical polyps
  • Bimanual pelvic examination to feel for signs of fibroids, pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy
• Blood tests
  • Full blood count (looking for anemia due to blood loss and reduced platelets indicating a bleeding disorder)
  • Iron studies
  • Electrolytes and renal function tests
  • Thyroid function tests
  • Pregnancy test
  • Coagulation profile to help rule out acquired or hereditary bleeding Disorders
  • More sophisticated bleeding disorder tests depending on suspicion - e.g. von Willebrand's disease, platelet function studies, platelet antibodies.
  • ANA autoantibodies looking for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Urine tests
  • First pass urine PCR test for Chlamydia and gonorrhea, if suspect pelvic inflammatory disease
• Pap smear
• High Vaginal swab - for microscopy and culture.
• Endocervical swab - for Chlamydia, if suspect pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Radiological investigations
  • Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound scan can detect fibroids and thickened endometrial lining (lining of the uterus)
  • CT Scan of abdomen and pelvis may be indicated
• Hysteroscopy with endometrial sampling - may be useful for detecting endometrial polyps, fibroids, endometrial cancer.
• Dilatation and curettage - collects a larger quantity of endometrial lining for microscopic evaluation. It is most invasive than hysteroscopy and endometrial sampling.
• Laparoscopy - may be required to diagnose endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease or other pelvic disease.

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Heavy periods causes:

• Pregnancy -- Related Home Testing:
  • Home Pregnancy Tests
  • Home Early Pregnancy Tests
  • Home Ovulation Tests
  • Home Fertility Tests
  • Home Rhesus/RH Blood Type Tests
  • Home Fetal Tests
• Menopause: Related Home Testing:
  • Home Menopause Tests
  • Home FSH Hormone Tests
  • Home Osteoporosis Testing
• Vaginal Health: Home Testing:
  • Home Vaginal Infection Tests
  • Home Vaginal PH Tests
  • Home Yeast Infection Tests
  • Home Candida Kits
  • Home Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Test Kits
  • Home Bladder Test Kits
• Breast Cancer: Related Home Tests:
  • Home Breast Cancer Test Kits
  • Home Breast Lump Detection

 » Next page: Glossary

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