How Should You Prepare for the Doctor’s Visit?

When period cramps start affecting your daily activities, one should definitely seek medical help. You should be prepared before going to the doctor to explain your symptoms well, which will ultimately help in the proper diagnosis.

Here's a checklist of things you can do before the appointment:

• Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance to prepare.
• Write down your pain symptoms in detail. The pain should be clearly defined in terms of type, location, radiation, associated symptoms, and the chronology of the onset of pain in relation to menstrual bleeding.
• Make a list of your current medications.
• Know details of your menstrual history, including age at menarche, length and regularity of cycles, amount of bleeding, and length of time elapsed between menarche and the beginning of dysmenorrhea.
• Gather information on family history of period cramps and related symptoms.
• Note down your history of pelvic surgery and nonprescription therapies.

What Questions Can You Ask Your Doctor?

For dysmenorrhea, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

Questions regarding symptoms:

• Is there anything I can do to minimize period cramps?
• Will my period cramps eventually go away on their own?
• Could the symptoms that I'm experiencing indicate a more serious medical condition?
• Any foods I need to avoid?

Questions regarding treatment:

• Do you recommend treatment for period cramps? What treatments are available?
• How long will my treatment go on for?
• Any side effects of the medications?
• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?

Don't hesitate to ask any other questions that occur to you during your appointment.

Medically reviewed by: Dr Yash Bahuguna

Researched by: Dr Inara Isani

Written by: Avantika Sukhia