AUB Flashcards
Abnormal uterine bleeding definition
change in frequency of menses, duration of flow, or amount of blood loss
due to any cause: structural/functional
Acute AUB
episode of bleeding requiring immediate attention
Chronic AUB
> 6 mo and not requiring immediate intervention
Menorrhagia
Prolonged (>7 d) or excessive (>80 cc) uterine bleeding occurring at regular intervals (hypermenorrhea)
Metrorrhagia
uterine bleeding occurring at irregular but frequent intervals, the amount being variable
Age related menstrual cycle changes
first 5-7 y after menarche, cycles are longer
become shorter over the reproductive years (more cycles per year)
8-10 y before menopause, cycles lengthen
Normal parameters of menstrual cycles
q 28 +/- 7 d
flow 4 +/- 2 d
average blood loss 40 +/- 20 cc
1-3% in extremes
Nonstructural causes of abnormal uterine bleeding
COEIN Non-structural: Coagulopathy Ovulatory dysfunction Endometrial iatrogenic Not yet classified
Management of AUB - general principles
exclude serious pathology: pregnancy/cancer
reverse abnormalities of endometrium
Management of non-structural causes of AUB
identify with investigations: Day 3 FSH/LH/Estradiol Prolactin, TSH Day 21 progesterone bHCG
CBC, ferritin, vW factor, coagulation panel
renal/liver panel
DDx for anovulatory bleeding/DUB
Physiological: adolescence, perimenopausal, lactation, pregnancy
Pathological:
Hypothalamic - anorexia, stress, Kallman’s
Pituitary: hyperPRL, hypothyroid, primary pit disease
Hyperandrogenic: PCOS, androgen-producing tumour, CAH
Ovarian: PCOS, POI
Menopause stages
Perimenopause (~5 y to transition to menopause)
early - variable cycle length
late: >=2 skipped cycles & intervals of amenorrhea
Amenorrhea for 12 mos = menopause
Postmenopause
Ovulatory bleeding
Endometrial defect
deficiencies in local production of v/cs (endothelin-1, PGF2a)
and/or
accelerated lysis of endometrial clot because of excessive production of plasminogen activator
Structural causes of AUB
PALM Polyp Adenomyosis Leiomyoma - submucosal, other Malignancy/hyperplasia
Adenomyosis
thickened wall of uterus, can be mistaken for fibroids