Menstruation is a state during which a woman’s body undergoes physiological changes that may affect test results. Therefore, doing some of them during your period is discouraged. Other tests may even be recommended at this particular point in the menstrual cycle. Will the test results be reliable when performed during the period? What to do if the visit is scheduled at the time when menstruation appeared. Is it better to postpone such a visit? Here are the answers to the most important questions.
Menstruation can affect some blood parameters. During its duration, there is a small loss of blood in the body and physiological changes that may make the test results unreliable.
During menstruation, it is not recommended to perform tests such as:
Morphology : During the period there may be a slight disturbance of red cell parameters (e.g. hemoglobin) and platelet parameters; if you had a morphology done at that time, it is enough to inform the doctor about it during the interpretation of the results, tests of coagulation system indicators (eg APTT, INR) – blood clotting naturally decreases at this time, so it is better to perform the test at another time of the cycle.
Urine test : Urine with a high probability will be contaminated with blood, which may affect the incorrect interpretation
of the urine test, gynecological examination – not always, but sometimes you should not do this test during menstruation
Cytology : Bleeding interferes with the collection of material for examination
Breast and vaginal ultrasound : the recommended date of these tests is between the 5th and 10th day of the cycle – the results will then be the most reliable.
In the case of hormone level testing, you should go to the collection point on a strictly defined day of the cycle. There are also examinations that are performed several times during the cycle, then the gynecologist gives detailed instructions.
Morphology and period. Can I go for morphology during menstruation?
Morphology is a basic preventive examination that each of us should perform every year. It is best to perform morphology in the middle of the menstrual cycle, and avoid the examination during menstruation. During bleeding, especially if it is abundant, the results of morphology may be disturbed. If the test was performed during or just after menstruation, you should inform your doctor when discussing the results. Menstruation does not affect all blood parameters. The results of components such as lymphocytes, granulocytes and monocytes are fully reliable.
How many days after menstruation can blood tests be done?
If you want to perform a control blood test, it is best to report to the collection point at least 3-5 days after menstruation. However, the most convenient time to perform morphology is about half of the menstrual cycle. Then the results will be the most reliable. In exceptional cases, your doctor may order a complete blood count during or after menstruation, e.g. when there is heavy bleeding and the purpose of the test is to diagnose or rule out anaemia.
What blood tests are done during menstruation?
Some blood tests are recommended during menstruation. It is primarily about hormone tests, the results of which are necessary to diagnose endocrine disorders. Therefore, the doctor may order the patient during the period to determine:
- prolactin
- estradiol
- testosterone
- FT3, FT4
- anti-TPO
- androstenedione
- luteinizing hormone (LH)
- follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- anti-TG,
- AMH.
Information on hormone levels during menstruation is needed to confirm or rule out certain diseases.
Parameters independent of the menstrual cycle are: thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), as well as cholesterol and triglycerides. The test to evaluate them can be performed at any time during the cycle.
Urine test and period During the period : A general urine test should not be performed , since blood will get into the sample with a high probability. The result obtained, which also applies to the presence of blood in the urine, can confuse the doctor when interpreting the study. Blood in the urine can mean kidney disease and urinary tract infections, so the test should be done when a woman does not have menstruation.
Blood sampling and period. What to keep in mind?
During menstruation, you may be weakened. It is worth remembering a few rules that will make blood sampling less troublesome:
- hydrate before the test (drink water),
- lie down during blood sampling if you do not feel very well
- squeeze the ball, which will facilitate blood collection, give up intense physical exertion before the test,
- concentrate on slow and deep breathing during blood collection.
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