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Your GP Visit

Many women hesitate to see their GPs about their periods, but if your periods are dictating your life, it’s time to make an appointment. Heavy periods (menorrhagia) are a recognised medical condition for which there are treatments available.

What can you expect?

What can you expect?

  • What can you expect?
    Questions from the doctor so that he/she can assess your symptoms
  • What can you expect?
    An internal examination
  • What can you expect?
    Agreement on next steps

Before your appointment

Before you see your GP it’s always wise to be prepared. This ensures you get the most out of your visit, your questions answered and avoid walking out with regrets.

  • See your regular GP: If your doctor refers you to a specialist, all reports they create will be sent to your original GP for follow up, so it makes sense to work with a GP you’re comfortable with. If you don’t have a regular GP, you should see the same doctor for the initial consultation and the follow up.
  • Plan ahead: It’s best to plan your visit for a date when you don’t have your period. However, if your period is causing you pain and distress, you should seek help immediately.
  • Allow enough time: It’s best to make an appointment specifically to discuss your heavy periods. This gives your GP enough time to discuss your symptoms and answer any questions you might have. If you have other health issues to discuss, consider making a double appointment.
  • Be prepared: Your GP is likely to ask you a number of questions, so it’s handy for you to have the answers ready. This will help your doctor understand your health situation better. Our Questionnaire will help you be prepared. If you can bring 2–3 months’ worth of answers as well as a period diary, it will help your doctor see any trends or patterns and understand the impact that your period is having on your life.
  • Finally, make sure you write down any key questions you want answered
Questionnaire Period diary

During your appointment

Start the conversation right away: Your doctor has heard it all before, so there’s no need to be embarrassed. Start by telling your doctor about your symptoms and concerns, rather than leaving it to the end of the appointment.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions: Ask your GP about anything you may have read or heard. Most GP’s know their patients will Google their symptoms before the appointment.

Explain the impact heavy periods have on your life: Make sure you tell the doctor how your heavy bleeding impacts on your life and your moods, as well as explaining the physical symptoms. Your quality of life matters

As well as asking your general questions around your period and how it affects you, your doctor may perform, or request, a number of tests, including:

  • a physical exam, which may include an internal exam
  • a smear test
  • a blood test to check for iron deficiency
  • an ultrasound
  • check your blood pressure and heart rate

Don’t be concerned if your doctor suggests a test for pregnancy or chlamydia – it’s standard practice. You may wish to download our treatment comparison chart, which outlines the most common treatment options, to discuss with your GP. Be prepared that you might not walk out of your appointment with a treatment plan. It’s likely that your doctor will need more information before he or she can talk treatment options with you. However, your doctor should discuss the next step with you.

Tip: carefully consider in advance what you want to ask and keep track of your symptoms, for example, with the aid of a menstruation diary and/or the questionnaire. You can use it to clarify exactly how severe your problem is and to what extent your periods affect your life.

Treating heavy periods

Treating heavy periods

There are a range of potential solutions for your heavy periods. Your GP will be able to discuss these with you.

View possible treatments
* Stock Photo. Posed by model

1 IN 5 WOMEN SUFFER WITH HEAVY PERIODS

1 IN 5 WOMEN SUFFER WITH HEAVY PERIODS About 20% of women suffer from heavy periods (menorrhagia). It’s not always possible to identify a cause and the symptoms vary too. If heavy periods are taking over your life, it’s time to do something about it. Because you can.

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