Menstrual health check-up

Except for the three items of transvaginal gynecological examination, routine urine examination, and vaginal secretion-related examination (including TCT/HPV cervical cancer screening), other routine physical examination items can be carried out normally during the menstrual period, and there is no need to deliberately reschedule.

Last month, my best friend made an appointment for a public tertiary medical examination for half a year. Before departure, I found my aunt here, holding her cell phone and running around anxiously, wondering if all the projects were in vain - she had already transferred three shifts with her colleagues in order to get this weekend appointment that did not occupy the working day. In fact, it is really not the case. I have encountered this situation hundreds of times in the five years I have been doing health management. Many people are frightened by the saying that "physical examination is not allowed during menstruation" and often postpone the appointment, which in turn delays the progress of necessary screening.

Of course, this is not to say that the saying that "you cannot have a physical examination during menstruation" is all a rumor. Now many clinicians do recommend that people without special needs wait 3-7 days after menstruation before having a physical examination. The essence is that they are afraid that ordinary people will not be able to distinguish the taboos of the items, and the trip will be in vain and only increase anxiety. I met a girl before who didn't know that she couldn't do routine urine tests during menstruation. The sample she received was mixed with menstrual blood, and the results showed that the red blood cells in her urine were all over the field of view. She took the report and thought she had nephritis. She came to me crying and asked me about it. After a week of troubleshooting, she found out that it was a false alarm.

If you are in a hurry, for example, you need to get the report for the employment physical examination, or you have finally made an appointment with a popular expert for a special examination, you can go as normal. When you arrive, tell the front desk counselor that you are on your period, and the staff will take the initiative to help you adjust the order of items. For taboo items, you can apply for postponement, or directly mark "menstrual period not done" on the report. Most units accept this explanation for employment and welfare physical examinations. Routine blood draws, chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, abdominal B-ultrasounds (checking the liver, spleen, kidneys, gallbladder, etc.), and thyroid ultrasounds have no impact at half a dime during menstruation. I went for my annual physical last year on the second day of my period, and had 6 tubes of blood drawn. , all blood parameters are within the normal range. Don’t believe the rumor that “blood drawn during menstruation will cause anemia”. The total amount of blood drawn during the physical examination is up to 30ml, which is less than your normal menstrual bleeding. You can make up for it by drinking half a cup of warm milk.

Oh, by the way, there are some people who go out of their way to get a physical check-up in time for their menstrual period. Girls with polycystic ovary syndrome and irregular menstruation should all know that the six items of sex hormones are most accurate when tested on the 2nd to 3rd day of the menstrual period. I once had a client who was preparing for pregnancy. She specially made an appointment for a physical examination package on the second day of the menstrual period to check the hormones. Based on the results, she adjusted her three-month medication. She got pregnant successfully last month.

As for whether breast ultrasound should be avoided during menstruation, which is the most frequently asked question, there is indeed no unified conclusion in the industry. Many breast doctors I know feel that physiological hyperplasia during menstruation can help them judge the activity of nodules and distinguish true pathological hyperplasia from physiological fluctuations. ； Some doctors also believe that the state of the breasts is the most stable 3-7 days after the end of menstruation, and microscopic lesions in the millimeter range can be seen more clearly. My own advice to clients is usually: if it is just an annual routine screening, come at a time that is convenient for you, and just mark your menstrual period clearly on the report. ； If there are already grade 3 or above breast nodules that require regular follow-up, then try to choose one week after menstruation, and the reference value of the results will be higher.

Finally, a little reminder: If you are sure to go for a physical examination during your period, try to wear loose clothes that are separated from the top and bottom. Do not wear jumpsuits or tight skirts. It is easy to put on and take off. In case of dysmenorrhea, it is also convenient to keep the baby warm. In addition, defecation routines can actually be done normally, as long as the menstrual blood is not stained when taking samples. Don't listen to the rumors on the Internet that you cannot do all sampling items during menstruation. There is really no need to set limits for yourself. If you are really unsure, call the physical examination center and ask before going. It will be much more useful than reading health posts for half an hour.