Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Flashcards
AUB definition
- defined as menstrual bleeding of abnl quantity, duration, or schedule
- common gynecologic complaint accounting for 1/3 of outpatient visits to gynecologists
normal frequency of menses
q 24-38 days
frequent uterine bleeding is defined by what?
< 24 days
0ligomenorrhea or infrequent uterine bleeding
> 38 days
Absence of
menstrual periods greater than 6 months in previously menstruating women = ?
secondary amenorrhea
normal duration of menses
up to 8 days
normal volume of menses
<80 mg blood per cycle
heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)
> 80 mg per cycle or any volume that interferes with physical, social,
emotional or material quality of life
Intermenstrual Bleeding
-Defined as bleeding that occurs between periods
Cyclic midcycle intermenstrual bleeding
occurs just after ovulation and very common, d/t drop in estrogen after ovulation
Cyclic premenstrual or post menstrual intermenstrual bleeding
usually light spotting and associated
with luteal phase defect or endometriosis
Acyclic intermenstrual bleeding
-unpredictable
-Often benign, but can be associated with endometrial
or cervical cancer.
-Think cervical cancer in post coital bleeding
etiologies of AUB
- local dz
- systemic dz
- medications
- MC etiologies in nonpregnant women are structural uterine pathology (fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis), ovulatory dysfunction, disorders of hemostasis or neoplasia
PALM COEIN
PALM: structural causes
- Polyp
- Adenomyosis
- Leiomyoma (submucosal or intramural)
- Malignancy/hyperplasia
COEIN: nonstructural causes
- Coagulopathy
- Ovulatory dysfunction
- Endometrial
- Iatrogenic
- Not classified yet
Polyps
- endocervical or endometrial
- detected by US or sonohysterography
- often irregular, light bleeding
Adenomyosis
- relationship b/w AUB and adenomyosis is not well understood
- diagnosed w/ US, MRI, or pathology
Leiomyoma
- occurs in black women 2-3 x more often than white women and earlier in 20s than 30s (vit. D?)
- diagnosed w/ exam, US, MRI, CT
- heavy, regular bleeding
Malignancy and hyperplasia
- relatively uncommon cause of AUB
- must be r/o in all cases
- screening tests vary by hx, age, presenting sx
Coagulopathy
- MC causes: ITP, VonWillebrand’s, Glanzman’s, Thallasemia major or Fanconi’s anemia
- test for bleeding time, INR, PRR, platlets, and VonWillebrand’s
- in adolescents w/ AUB, 10% will have coagulopathy
- usually ovulatory cycles w/ severe menorrhagia, more commonly in early menarche or perimenopausal as estrogen wanes
Annovulatory
- MC cause of AUB
- hallmark is infrequent periods
- physiologic: adolescence, perimenopause, laction/preg.
- pathologic: hyperandrogenic, hypothalamic, thyroid dz, primary pit., premature ovarian failure, meds/herbal supplements
Endometrial
-Predictable and cyclic menstrual bleeding, typical of ovulatory
cycles
- No other definable causes are identified, usually diagnosis of
exclusion
-Usually HMB is main symptoms- primary disorder of
mechanisms regulating local endometrial “hemostasis” itself
Iatrogenic
-MC cause of breakthrough bleeding (BTB) is the use of gonadal steroid therapy
-Systemically administered single-agent or combination gonadal steroids—including
estrogens, progestins, and androgens—impact the control of ovarian steroidogenesis via
effects on the hypothalamus, pituitary, and/or ovary itself, and also exert a direct effect
on the endometrium
-also anticonvulsants and abx, smoking, IUDs, antidepressants, anticoagulants
Not yet classified
Several uterine entities might contribute to, or cause, AUB in a given individual; however, this has not been demonstrated conclusively because these entities—such as chronic endometritis, arteriovenous malformations, and myometrial hypertrophy—have been poorly defined, inadequately examined, or both
initial hx on w/u of AUB
● Acute vs Chronic
● Characterize bleeding pattern
● Menstrual bleeding hx (incl. severity and assoc pain)
● FamHx: AUB/ bleeding disorders
● Meds: warfarin, heparin, NSAID, OCP, ginkgo, ginseng, motherwort
PE on w/u of AUB
● PCOS: obesity, hirsutism, acne
● Thyroid dysfunction: cold/heat intolerance, dry skin, lethargy
● DM: acanthosis nigricans
● Bleeding disorder: petechiae, pallor, signs of hypovolemia
● Pelvic exam - is it from the uterus?!?
Labs to run in w/u of AUB
● Pregnancy test (always get)
● CBC (Strong recommendation)
● Targeted screening for bleeding disorder (when indicated)
● TSH
● Gonorrhea/Chlamydia in high risk patients
Imaging in w/u of AUB
● TVUS (first line) ● Sonohysterography or SIS ● Hysteroscopy ● MRI Endometrial biopsy (EMB)