Abnormal uterine bleeding

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), also known as (AVB) or as atypical vaginal bleeding, is vaginal bleeding from the uterus that is abnormally frequent, lasts excessively long, is heavier than normal, or is irregular. The term dysfunctional uterine bleeding was used when no underlying cause was present. Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is excluded. Iron deficiency anemia may occur and quality of life may be negatively affected. The underlying causes may include ovulation problems, fibroids, the lining of the uterus growing into the uterine wall, uterine polyps, underlying bleeding problems, side effects from birth control, or cancer. More than one category of causes may apply in an individual case. The first step in work-up is to rule out a tumor or pregnancy. Medical imaging or hysteroscopy may help with the diagnosis. Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Options may include hormonal birth control, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, tranexamic acid, NSAIDs, and surgery such as endometrial ablation or hysterectomy. Over the course of a year, roughly 20% of reproductive-aged women self-report at least one symptom of AUB. As adenomyosis is a common disorder with a prevalence of 20-35% it is often causative related. Recent research suggests that abnormal angiogenesis is associated to conditions of adenomyosis leading to abnormal uterine bleeding. This suggests options for therapeutic intervention with angiogenesis inhibitors. Symptoms include vaginal bleeding that occurs irregularly, at abnormal frequency, lasts excessively long, or is more than normal. Normal frequency of periods is 22 to 38 days. Variation in the length of time between cycles is typically less than 21 days. Bleeding typically last less than nine days and blood loss is less than 80 mL. Excessive blood loss may also be defined as that which negatively affects a person's quality of life. Bleeding more than six months after menopause is also a concern.

About this result

This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.

Related publications (4)

Related concepts (16)

Related lectures (1)

VEGFR-3 Neutralization Inhibits Ovarian Lymphangiogenesis, Follicle Maturation, and Murine Pregnancy

Didier Trono, Jeffrey Alan Hubbell, Melody Swartz, Witold Waldemar Kilarski, Joseph Rutkowski, Seung Tae Lee, Miriella Carmela Pasquier, Jong Eun Ihm, Vivianne Greenwood

Lymphatic vessels surround follicles within the ovary, but their roles in folliculogenesis and pregnancy, as well as the necessity of Lymphangiogenesis in follicle maturation and health, are undefined. We used systemic delivery of mF4-31C1, a specific anta ...

Elsevier Science Inc2013

Virtual Reality Based Simulation of Hysteroscopic Interventions

Gábor Székely

Virtual reality based simulation is an appealing option to supplement traditional clinical education. However, the formal integration of training simulators into the medical curriculum is still lacking. Especially, the lack of a reasonable level of realism ...

2008

Clinical fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging for the detection of early carcinoma by autofluorescence bronchoscopy and the study of the protoporphyrin IX pharmacokinetics in the endometrium

Tanja Gabrecht

The aim of this thesis is to optimise and gain fundamental information on two applications of photomedicine using fluorescence imaging and spectrofluorometry: (1) the detection of early bronchial cancer by autofluorescence imaging and (2) the endometrial a ...

EPFL2006

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a medical condition characterized by the growth of cells that proliferate on the inside of the uterus (endometrium) atypically located among the cells of the uterine wall (myometrium), as a result, thickening of the uterus occurs. As well as being misplaced in patients with this condition, endometrial tissue is completely functional. The tissue thickens, sheds and bleeds during every menstrual cycle. The condition is typically found in women between the ages of 35 and 50, but also affects younger women.

Hormonal contraception

Hormonal contraception refers to birth control methods that act on the endocrine system. Almost all methods are composed of steroid hormones, although in India one selective estrogen receptor modulator is marketed as a contraceptive. The original hormonal method—the combined oral contraceptive pill—was first marketed as a contraceptive in 1960. In the ensuing decades many other delivery methods have been developed, although the oral and injectable methods are by far the most popular.

Heavy menstrual bleeding

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), previously known as menorrhagia or hypermenorrhea, is a menstrual period with excessively heavy flow. It is a type of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Abnormal uterine bleeding can be caused by structural abnormalities in the reproductive tract, anovulation, bleeding disorders, hormonal issues (such as hypothyroidism) or cancer of the reproductive tract. Initial evaluation aims at determining pregnancy status, menopausal status, and the source of bleeding.

Peritoneal Dialysis and Female Pelvic Anatomy BIO-320: Morphology I

Explores peritoneal dialysis and female pelvic anatomy, emphasizing the importance of understanding the peritoneal cavity.