Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding: Causes, Symptoms, And Remedies

 

Irregular bleeding from the uterus is called dysfunctional uterine bleeding or anovulatory bleeding. This is caused by a disturbance in the normal menstrual cycle, due to which the uterus starts to bleed either too much or too little, there are a lot of reasons behind this irregularity. 

Normally the menstrual cycle is of 21 to 35 days, if it is less than 21 days and more than 35 days, then it could be a sign of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Anaemia can also occur due to dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

Symptoms of Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Most of the following kinds of bleeding are visible in the symptoms of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. It shows different patterns of bleeding;

• Heavy bleeding in periods.
• Bleeding with multiple clots or large clots.
• Bleeding for more than seven days.
• Bleeding before 21 days.
• Spotting.

Other Common Symptoms

• Swelling
• Pelvic pain or pressure.

When to Contact a Doctor?

• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Weakness
• Low blood pressure
• Increase in heart rate
• Yellow skin
• Pain
• Large blood clots
• Using one pad every hour

Cause of Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding is caused due to imbalance in hormone secretion. When the ovary releases an egg, the lining of the uterus sheds due to release of a hormone. 

• Taking birth control pills and other medicines.
• Rapid weight loss or gain.
• Mental or physical stress.
• Intrauterine device (IUD).

Other causes of abnormal bleeding include problems in the uterus. Many women get fibroids, which are noncancerous tumors that grow in the uterus or in its muscles. 

Diagnosis of Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

To check dysfunctional uterine bleeding, the doctor may ask about your medical history. This helps in detecting reproductive disorders such as PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) and endometriosis.

Ultrasound

The doctor may ask for an ultrasound after viewing the reproductive organ. This test gives information about the growth of polyps and fibroids.

Blood test

Hormone levels and complete blood count are detected through blood tests. Anaemia can occur when red blood cells are low.

Endometrial biopsy

If the cause of bleeding from the uterus is some kind of abnormal growth or the uterus line is thick, then the doctor can take the tissue of the uterus for the test and examine it.

Treatment of Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

The treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding depends on its cause. If there is a problem of dysfunctional uterine bleeding due to any blood disorder, then treatment is possible. Whether there is planning for children at the time of treatment or not, this aspect is also taken into consideration. For this reason also the method of treatment is changed. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is treated in the following ways:

Endometrial ablation

A laser is used to eliminate the uterus line. Period stops in this method, and there is no pregnancy in the future. In some special cases, it is treated in this way. This treatment is not preferred if a woman wants to have a child in future. 

Myomectomy 

If fibroids are causing dysfunctional uterine bleeding, doctors may also recommend myomectomy surgery. Doctor cuts the vessels that supply blood to the fibroids. This does not cause any problem in pregnancy.

Hysterectomy 

Uterus is removed through surgery. Doctors perform hystrectomy surgery only when the fibroid is very large or there is cancer of the endometrium or uterus.

 

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