At a gynecology or GP appointment, you will often be asked when your last period started, how long your cycles usually are, how heavy your bleeding is and whether you have pain or bleeding between periods. Having these answers ready makes the appointment faster and more useful.
The questions you are likely to hear
- When did your last period start? The first day of bleeding, not spotting.
- How long is your cycle? From the first day of one period to the first day of the next.
- How many days do you bleed? And how many of those days are heavy.
- How heavy is the flow? For example, how often you change a pad, tampon or cup, or whether you pass large clots.
- Do you have pain? When it happens, how strong it is and whether it affects daily life.
- Any bleeding between periods or after sex?
- Have your periods changed recently?
- What contraception or medicines do you use?
- Are you trying to get pregnant?
What to note before your appointment
| What to note | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Start dates of the last 3 to 6 periods | Shows cycle length and regularity |
| Days of bleeding and heavy days | Helps assess flow |
| Pain level and timing | Helps spot patterns |
| Spotting between periods | Important for diagnosis |
| Mood, sleep or energy changes | May relate to your cycle |
| Medicines and contraception | Can affect bleeding |
Signs worth raising
Some changes deserve a conversation even if you were not planning to mention them: bleeding that soaks through protection every hour or two, periods lasting more than seven days, cycles often shorter than 21 or longer than 35 days, bleeding after menopause, or pain that stops you from doing everyday things.
Questions you might want to ask
It is your appointment too. You might ask what could be causing your symptoms, which tests are needed, what the treatment options are and what you should keep tracking afterwards.
Bringing your records with you
Bloom Private lets you log flow, pain and over 60 symptoms. You can create a basic PDF report for free, and the full report is part of Premium. The report is created on your iPhone, and you decide whether to share it. The app does not diagnose and is not a medical device, but organized notes can make it easier to describe what is happening.
Talk to a healthcare professional whenever something about your cycle worries you. To see your next expected period, try our Try our free period calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
The start dates of your last few periods, how many days you bleed, how heavy the flow is, any pain or spotting, and the medicines or contraception you use.
Three to six cycles give a useful picture, but bring whatever notes you have. Do not delay an appointment just to collect more data.
No. It can help you organize dates and symptoms, but only a healthcare professional can diagnose a condition.