Abnormal vaginal bleeding

Description

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding or abnormal vaginal bleeding. Extraordinary uterine bleeding which is not a result of any recognizable disease or structural abnormality of the uterus, such as tumor. The most common cause is a hormonal disorder. Dysfunctional bleeding is usually associated with absence of ovulation.

Symptoms

Abnormal vaginal bleeding, bleeding between two normal menstrual cicles, mood swings, abnormal hair growth.

Overview

Anamnesis will be taken and medical examination will be performed. The examinations include: coagulation profile – coagulation tests, level of hormones (LH, FSH, androgen, progesterone), pregnancy tests from the serum –beta-HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin), thyroid gland exams (TSH-thyroid-stimulating hormone) and/or transvaginal ultrasound.

Tests

Complete blood count (CBC), pregnancy test (beta-HCG) and ultrasound.

Additional analyses

Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT), LH (luteinizing hormone), FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), androgen, progesterone, TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), D and C, endometrial biopsy, hysteroscopy.

Specialists

Gynecology

Therapy

Common therapies are hormonal therapies (like contraceptive pills, estrogen and progesterone) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/NSAID, such as ibuprofen. A decompression might be recommended if a tendency for bleeding is detected and the other therapies have not been efficient. Severe cases require endometrial ablation (burning of the uterine mucous membrane) or hysteroscopy. Iron is usually given for the accompanying anemia.