To determine whether a problem requires treatment, the doctor will
ask several questions and do a thorough physical exam. The doctor may do
a pelvic exam, blood tests, or urine tests. If there might be a
structural problem, an ultrasound or CAT scan may be performed.
Together, these tests can help the doctor determine how a condition
should be handled.
Growths such as polyps or fibroids can often be removed and
endometriosis can often be treated with medications or surgery. If a
hormone imbalance is to blame, the doctor may suggest hormone therapy
with birth control pills or other hormone-containing medications.
Conditions like clotting disorders or thyroid problems may require
treatment as well. And for menstrual pain with no underlying medical cause, anti-inflammatory medicines are the most effective treatment.
When to Call the Doctor
Although most period problems aren't cause for alarm, certain
symptoms do call for a trip to the doctor. This is particularly true if a
girl's normal cycle changes.
So take your daughter to her doctor if she:
- hasn't started her period by the time she's 15 or her period hasn't become regular after 3 years of menstruating. The most likely cause is a hormone imbalance (which may need treatment), but this also might point to another medical problem.
- stops getting her period or it becomes irregular after it has been regular.
Also let your daughter's doctor know if her cycle is less than 21 days
or more than 45 days, or if she doesn't get a period for 3 months at any
time after first beginning to menstruate.
- has heavy or long periods, especially if she gets her period frequently. In some cases, significant blood loss can cause iron-deficiency anemia.
Also, heavy bleeding could be a sign of a growth in the uterus, a
thyroid condition, an infection, or a blood clotting problem.
- has very painful periods. Having cramps for a couple of days is normal, but if your daughter isn't able to participate in her normal activities, or has cramps for more than 3 days, let the doctor know. She might have a medical problem, such as endometriosis, causing the pain.
Helping Your Daughter
When your daughter's experiencing a particularly bad bout of PMS or
cramps, you can help make her more comfortable. Suggest that she:
- eat a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables
- reduce her intake of salt (which can cause water retention) and caffeine (which can make her jumpy and anxious)
- include foods with calcium, which may reduce the severity of her PMS symptoms
- try over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for cramps, headaches, or back pain
- take a brisk walk or bike ride to relieve stress and aches
- soak in a warm bath or put a hot water bottle on her abdomen, which may help her relax
If you notice that your daughter's periods are causing her great
discomfort or interfering with her life, talk to her doctor to make sure
nothing else is causing the problem and to see if anything can help.
Sometimes hormone treatment, often in the form of birth control pills,
can help ease many symptoms associated with uncomfortable periods.
But the most important way you can help your daughter feel more at
ease about her period is to talk to her and explain that most annoying
or uncomfortable conditions that accompany menstruation are normal and
may improve over time. And be understanding when she's cranky and
unhappy. After all, no one's at her best all the time.
Source: kidshealth