What Would the Doctor Ask You During the Appointment?

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

• How severe are your period cramps and the symptoms associated with them?
• Do you have cramp-free days during your menstrual cycle?
• Does anything seem to make your cramps better or worse?
• Do your period cramps interfere with your daily activities?
• What treatments have you tried so far? How have they worked?

Common Tests You Should Know About

The following examinations are recommended when dysmenorrhea is suspected[1]

Pelvic examination

Reason: It is recommended that if the history of onset and duration of lower abdominal pain suggests secondary dysmenorrhea. Not recommended if the person is sexually inactive, or the pain has a typical presentation without any additional symptoms.

Time taken: A pelvic examination usually takes about 10 minutes.

Cost: Pelvic examination costs between Rs. 1000 to Rs. 3000.

Ultrasound

Reason: Preferred examination to rule out the cause of secondary dysmenorrhea.

Time taken: An ultrasound examination typically takes 30 minutes to an hour.

Cost: Ultrasound examination cost between Rs. 800 to Rs. 3000.

Full blood examination

Reason: To assess anemia related to chronic menorrhagia, infection (Pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID)

Time taken: A CBC test can be performed in a few minutes, and the results are available within 24 hours to the doctor.

Cost: CBC costs between Rs. 200 to Rs. 500.

Endocervical or vaginal swabs

Reason: Patient at risk of sexually transmitted infections or pelvic inflammatory diseases.

Time taken: The swab itself takes a few minutes to collect. Lab processing and analysis can take a few days to weeks.

Cost: Vaginal swabs cost between Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000.

CA-125

Reason: Increased in endometriosis and other gynecological conditions (i.e., ovarian cancer)

Time taken: The entire procedure is completed within a few minutes.

Cost: CA-125 cost between Rs. 700 to Rs. 1500.

Midstream urine

Reason: To check for urinary tract pathology

Time taken: The results of Midstream urine are available within 2-7 days.

Cost: Midstream urine cost between Rs. 100 to Rs. 500.

Quantitative B-HCG

Reason: To rule out the possibility of pregnancy with miscarriage/ectopic pregnancy

Time taken: Time taken to complete this test usually takes a few hours to a day.

Cost: Quantitative B-HCG cost between Rs. 650 to Rs. 2000.

Medically reviewed by: Dr Yash Bahuguna

Researched by: Dr Inara Isani

Written by: Avantika Sukhia

References

1. Nagy H, Carlson K, Khan MA. Dysmenorrhea. InStatPearls [Internet] 2023 Nov 12. StatPearls Publishing.