Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is irregular vaginal bleeding. DUB may be caused by an imbalance of one of the hormones related to ovulation (estrogen or progesterone). In some women, fibroids (benign tumors) or polyps (fleshy growths) of the uterus can also cause menorrhagia. In rare cases, DUB can be caused by endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of uterus) or cancer of the uterus. Other causes of DUB include structural disorders, such as functional ovarian cysts, cervicitis, endometritis, salpingitis, and leiomyomas. Trauma to the cervix, vulva, or vagina may cause abnormal bleeding. Pregnancy may be associated with vaginal bleeding. DUB occur in adolescents and 40% in women over 40. Obesity, excessive exercise, and emotional stress may be risk factors for DUB.
Symptoms of dysfunctional uterine bleeding is vaginal bleeding between periods , mood swings , infertility, hot flashes, vaginal tenderness and hirsutism. Period lasts longer than 7 days (normally 4 to 6 days). Women whose symptoms are severe and resistant to medical therapy may need surgical treatments including endometrial ablation (a procedure that burns or removes the lining of the uterus) or hysterectomy. Hysterectomy is surgery that removes the uterus. Hormone therapy usually relieves symptoms. Hemorrhagic uterine bleeding requires high-dose estrogen therapy. If bleeding is not controlled within 12-24 hours, a D&C is indicated. Estrogen is a hormone that is often used to stop dangerously heavy bleeding. Use of the levonorgestrel IUD, which releases a progesterone-like hormone into the uterus.
Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding Treatment and Prevention Tips
1. Sometime iron supplements may be recommended.
2. Estrogen also induces formation of progesterone receptors.
3. Endometrial ablation or hysterectomy is also recommended.
4. Resectoscopy involves using hysteroscope with a wire loop attached.
5. Oral contraceptives or progestogen therapy are frequently used for this purpose.
6. Estrogen therapy is a hormone that is often used to stop dangerously heavy bleeding.
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is abnormal vaginal bleeding not due to a physical (anatomical) cause that occurs in women in their reproductive years. Usually, patients with DUB have menstrual cycles that are longer than usual, which allows the lining of the uterus to be exposed to estrogen for long periods of time. Anovulatory cycles are common for the first year after menarche (when menstrual periods first start) and later in life as women approach menopause (the cessation of menstrual periods). Approximately 20% of cases occur in adolescents and 40% in women over 40 years old. Obesity, excessive exercise, and emotional stress may be risk factors for DUB.
Causes
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding often occurs when the endometrium, or lining of the uterus, is stimulated to grow by the hormone estrogen. When exposure to estrogen is extended, or not balanced by the presence of progesterone, the endometrium continues to grow until it outgrows its blood supply. Then it sloughs off, causing irregular bleeding. Approximately 20% of cases of DUB occur in adolescents and 40% in women over 40. Obesity, excessive exercise, and emotional stress may be risk factors for DUB. Menorrhagia is the term for excessive bleeding with a normal interval. Metrorrhagia is bleeding that is irregular or too frequent. Menometrorrhagia is excessive bleeding at irregular intervals.
Symptoms
Common symptoms are-
* Vaginal bleeding between periods * Abnormal menstrual periods * Variable menstrual cycles * Variable menstrual flow ranging from scanty to profuse * Infertility * Mood swings * Hot flashes * Vaginal tenderness * Hirsuitism -- excessive growth of body hair in a male pattern
Treatment
For other young women whose bleeding is heavier and more irregular, birth control pills may make bleeding more regular and provide birth control at the same time. Patients who can't take birth control pills or who do not need birth control may be treated with a monthly dose of progesterone (such as medroxyprogesterone acetate) to bring on a regular period.
Women whose symptoms are severe and resistant to medical therapy may choose surgical treatments including endometrial ablation (a procedure that burns or removes the lining of the uterus) or hysterectomy.
In older women who may be approaching menopause, treatment may be elected to offset symptoms. Women may choose from treatments such as hormone supplementation or surgery. Regardless of the primary treatment, the patient may need iron replacement or transfusions of packed cells or whole blood, as indicated, because of anemia caused by recurrent bleeding.
Both Juliet Cohen & Alien are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Juliet Cohen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Skin Cream, Alternative Medicine and Abdominal. Juliet Cohen writes articles for . She also writes articles for. Juliet Cohen's top article generates over 3350000 views. to your Favourites.
Alien has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pregnancy Problems, Fitness and Get Rid of Bed Bugs. Alien writes for . He also writes for and y. Alien's top article generates over 673000 views. to your Favourites.