Roxanne Greenfield, PA-C, Prestige OB/GYN Miramar
1951 SW 172nd Ave. Ste. 405
Miramar, FL 33029
954-538-1300
Prestige OB/GYN Hollywood
5740 Hollywood Blvd.
Suite 200
Hollywood, FL 33021
954-518-4100
Abnormal uterine bleeding is one of the most common gynecologic problems and is responsible for about 1/3 of visits to gynecologists. Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) refers to bleeding that is abnormal in timing, duration, or amount. There are several possible causes of AUB which will be discussed in this article. The first common type of cause for AUB is a structural abnormality of the uterus including fibroids, polyps, and adenomyosis. Fibroids are noncancerous growths in the muscle of the uterus; polyps are smaller tissue growths inside the uterus, and adenomyosis is the growth of the endometrial lining of the uterus in the musculature of the uterus. The second type of cause for AUB is ovulatory dysfunction, which is a disorder in a woman’s ovulation causing irregularities of cycle duration and timing. Another possible cause for AUB is neoplasia, or cancer, of the endometrium or uterus. These are just a few possible causes of abnormal uterine bleeding. Other reasons for the bleeding may involve certain medications the patient is taking, such as anti-coagulants. Inherited bleeding disorders and infection can also cause abnormal uterine bleeding.
Women who are experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding should seek counsel from a gynecologist. A typical workup for AUB will include a thorough history and physical examination. Your doctor will need to determine the source of the bleeding (uterus, cervix, urine, or rectum). Laboratory testing may be ordered to check for the presence of any anemia. If hormone irregularity or coagulation disorder is suspected, these can also be checked via blood work. Imaging will also be done with pelvic ultrasound to visualize the lining and inside of the uterus. Another type of imaging is called a saline infusion sonogram and uses water to better visualize the inside of the uterine cavity. Depending on the nature of the bleeding and the woman’s age, a sampling of the inside of the uterus, called an endometrial biopsy, may be done.
The treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding depends on the cause. If you are having abnormal bleeding, please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with a gynecologist for further workup.
