Menstrual Disorders Asymptomatic: How You Can Be Sick And Not Even Know It By Andrea Chisholm, MD facebook twitter linkedin Andrea Chisolm, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who has taught at both Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. Learn about our editorial process Andrea Chisholm, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD on May 24, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin instagram Anita Sadaty, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology. She is a clinical assistant professor at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Review Board Anita Sadaty, MD on May 24, 2020 Print The definition of asymptomatic is without symptoms. There are a number of conditions, both mild and serious, that do not display any symptoms that you would notice. However, these conditions may have signs your healthcare provider can detect on examination and screening tests so you can get appropriate care. David Jakle / Getty Images What Are Symptoms? In medicine, symptoms of a disease or a condition are the changes that you notice in your body. These are the things that happen to your body that causes you to seek medical care. When you go to see your doctor they will most likely ask you why you are there. They may say something like, “I understand you are coming to see me because of a problem with your periods.” This is the time when you would tell your doctor your complaints. When you list your complaints you are also telling your doctor about your symptoms. This conversation is called history taking. It is important that you give your doctor as thorough a history as possible explaining all of your symptoms. Your doctor will likely ask you several questions to help you give them a clear picture of what is going on. Some examples of symptoms that you might list about your period include: Heavier bleeding than usualPassing blood clotsSoaking through a super tampon and a maxi pad in an hourIncreased cramping with your periodPainful urination during your periodLow back pain with your period Your doctor should listen very carefully to you when you are talking about your symptoms. This is one of the most important parts of your visit to the doctor. By the time you have finished explaining how and what you are feeling your doctor should have an idea of the possible causes of your symptoms. What Are Signs? Now your doctor will do an examination. This is called a physical. Your doctor will now look for changes in your body that could explain the symptoms that you are feeling. What your doctor is now looking for are signs of a condition or a disease. Based on the above complaints the signs that your doctor might find are: A mass in your lower abdomenPain when she moves your cervixAn enlarged uterusAbnormal vaginal discharge Your doctor will then combine your symptoms with the signs they found on the exam and they will either make a diagnosis or have made a shortlist of possible diagnoses. They may order some testing to help her make a final diagnosis. What If You're Asymptomatic? The pathway to making a diagnosis is much different when you are asymptomatic meaning that you do not have any symptoms. You don’t have any changes in your body that are bothering you. If you don’t have any symptoms of a condition you will not know that you may have a serious condition until it is too late. This is why it is important to see your doctor regularly so they can look for signs of disease. Also, it is equally important to have all of the recommended screening tests to help detect diseases before they cause serious problems or become too advanced. Early detection and treatment usually result in a better outcome. Some examples of conditions in women that may be asymptomatic until they become very advanced or start to cause problems are: AnemiaBreast cancerChlamydiaColon cancerHepatitis BHepatitis CHIVHuman papillomavirus (HPV)OsteoporosisOvarian cancer Sometimes your doctor may find something on a physical exam that is not causing you any symptoms and that is not dangerous for your health. In these cases, your doctor may not recommend any further treatment. A Word From Verywell Remember, you play a vital role in your own health. Pay attention to changes in your body, report these to your doctor and keep up with recommended screening tests. As always, it is important to discuss any concerns that you have about your health with your doctor Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Planned Parenhood. How do I know if my menstrual cycle is normal? American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The utility of and indications for routine pelvic examination. October 2018 World Health Organization. Hepatitis C. July 9, 2019