The symptom checker reviewed by doctors

Choose a symptom and answer simple questions using our physician-reviewed
symptom checker to find more information on your health issue.

  • Symptom
  • Assessment
  • Results

Have your periods become painful?

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Have you been more emotional, fatigued, or irritable, or do you have more bloating or weight gain than usual, or do you have trouble concentrating or sleeping just prior to your periods?

Choose an option below.

Possible Diagnosis

This may be normal MENSTRUAL CRAMPS, or you may have PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS or PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER [PDD]).

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Do you have a known sexually transmitted disease or infection (STD or STI)? Do you have a fever or foul-smelling vaginal discharge or burning or itching with or without noticeable skin changes around your genitalia?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have a SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION (STI), or a serious type of STI around your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus, called PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID).

 

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Do you have abdominal or pelvic pain during sex, ovulation, or bowel movements?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have ENDOMETRIOSIS, a problem where the lining of the uterus spreads outside the uterus, often in the abdomen or around the ovaries, or you may have OVARIAN CYSTS. The cysts can also rupture and can cause bleeding or significant pain.

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Are your periods heavier or are you bleeding longer than usual?

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Do you use an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control (contraception)?

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Possible Diagnosis

The IUD may have caused this change in the pattern of your bleeding. The most frequent side effect is irregular bleeding (bleeding not related to your menstrual cycle), but usually an IUD will cause a significant decrease in the amount of bleeding and pain during your period.

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Do you have a constant feeling that you need to urinate, or do you have pelvic pressure, constipation, or pain in your back or legs?

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Possible Diagnosis

Your symptoms may be from FIBROIDS, noncancerous tumors of the uterus.

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Do you have muscle aches, swelling, or stiffness in your joints, tightness or swelling in your throat, and/or weakness in your legs?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have a problem with your THYROID GLAND, such as HASHIMOTO’S DISEASE (i.e., your body has created antibodies that attack your thyroid and lower its effectiveness).

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Are your periods irregular, infrequent, or have they stopped?

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Do you have breast tenderness, abdominal fullness, or nausea?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have an OVARIAN CYST, or you may be PREGNANT.

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Are you on birth control pills?

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Possible Diagnosis

Some women will miss a period while on BIRTH CONTROL PILLS. There is a small chance you could be PREGNANT.

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Are you 35 years old or older?

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Possible Diagnosis

Periods that stop after years of regularity may be caused by NORMAL or EARLY MENOPAUSE. Irregular periods may also be due to FIBROIDS, HORMONE PROBLEMS, or other medical conditions.

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Have you felt sluggish, or have you gained or lost weight without trying?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have a HORMONE PROBLEM, such as a THYROID GLAND problem. Periods may stop or become irregular if your weight falls dramatically, as can occur with ANOREXIA NERVOSA or BULIMIA.

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Are you bleeding at times other than your period, or again after having gone through menopause, or when you are older than 35?

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Possible Diagnosis

Your bleeding could be from FIBROIDS, ENDOMETRIOSIS, or from a serious condition, such as ENDOMETRIAL CANCER.

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Self Care

Use over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or naproxen for bloating and pain. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Make changes to the way you eat and exercise. Eat smaller, more frequent meals that are high in complex carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and take a daily multivitamin and calcium. Get 8 hours of sleep before and around the normal time of your period. See your doctor if symptoms get worse or fail to improve after several cycles.

Self Care

URGENT
See your doctor right away. Any infection in the abdomen can be serious.

Self Care

See your doctor.

For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call your doctor right away.

Self Care

See your doctor.

Self Care

See your doctor. The fibroids can potentially be controlled with medications, but may need to be removed with surgery.

Self Care

See your doctor.

Self Care

If you could be pregnant, do an at-home pregnancy test. If it’s positive, see your doctor for confirmation. If you don’t think you’re pregnant and symptoms continue, see your doctor.

Self Care

Wait to see if you have a period at the end of your next pack of pills (when you take your sugar pills, you should have your period). See your doctor if you have signs of pregnancy or you don’t have a period after the second month.

Self Care

See your doctor.

Self Care

See your doctor.

Self Care

See your doctor right away. Early detection of endometrial cancer is important for successful treatment.

For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call your doctor right away.

DISCLAIMER

Symptom Checker content is provided for informational purposes only. This tool may leverage certain generative artificial intelligence tools to generate results, but you should not rely on this tool as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health or the information provided when you use this tool, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your healthcare professional because of something you may have read using this tool or on the FamilyDoctor.org website. Use this content solely at your own risk. If you think you may have a medical emergency, dial 911.