Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Definition: Menorrhagia means excessive bleeding during the menses. The duration and flow is excessive.

Common Causes of Menorrhagia:

• Uterine Fibroid
• Uterine hyperplasia & cancer
• Ovarian tumours
• Hypothyroidism
• Bleeding disorders
• Liver problems
• Psychological upsets

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding: This condition is defined as abnormal uterine bleeding in absence of any organic cause.
This condition can be divided into 2 types: Ovulatory (regular) and Anovulatory (irregular) bleeding.

Investigations:

• Endometrial Curetting
• Blood tests
• Hormonal assays
• Sonography
• Hystero-salpingo-graphy

Treatment: The basic aim of treatment is to control bleeding and also to regularize the periods.

• Reassurance, counselling, correction of hemoglobin levels, protein supplements, dietary advice for the obese forms the basic line of treatment.
• Medication to control inflammation, pain and bleeding.
• Hormone therapy to correct any deficiency.
• Surgical intervention when indicated - curettage, hysterectomy, etc.
• Radiotherapy

Most of the times the dysfunctional uterine bleeding and menorrhagia are controlled very well by medication alone. Surgical intervention is indicated only in resistant cases.