What is abnormal uterine bleeding? ...

What is abnormal uterine bleeding?

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is any bleeding from the uterus other than your normal monthly period.

Who can have AUB?

AUB can happen in females of all ages. However, it means different things at different stages of your life.

Uterine bleeding is not normal in girls who are too young to have periods. Causes can include sexual abuse and cancer. Call your doctor right away if your little girl has this kind of bleeding.

Women of childbearing age have different menstrual patterns. more [i]or[/i] less women have longer periods than others. any have periods less often than others. These differences are usually normal.

Here are a certain quantity of signs of AUB:

* Periods that happen more repeatedly than usual (less than 21 days apart)

* Periods that happen les oftentimes than usual (more than 35 days apart)

* Heavier than normal bleeding during periods

* Bleeding between periods If you have any of these signs, you should view your doctor.

AUB also can happen after menopause (also called "change of life"). There are couple signs of AUB at this stage of life:

* Bleeding that meet the eyes 12 months or more after periods stop

* Unpredictable bleeding that take places 12 months or more after starting to take hormones

AUB can be a sign of a serious health vexed question such as cancer of the uterus. You should call your doctor if your menstrual period changes or if you have any vaginal bleeding when you should not have it.

If I have AUB, what will my doctor do?

Your doctor will ask you to describe the bleeding--when it happens, in what manner often it happens, how abundant you bleed. Your doctor also will ask you about any illnesses that you have, and any medicines or herbal issues that you take. You might have a pelvic exam and maybe a general physical exam, and a Pap test

AUB can have many causes. It may take several visits to find the reason for your bleeding.

If you are of childbearing age, vaginal bleeding can be a side result of pregnancy. Certain medicines and herbs also can cause AUB.

any illnesses can cause AUB. You might not calm know that you are sick. Your doctor will ask questions about certain illnesses, and you might have about tests.

Injury, infection, and bourgeonings (sometimes even cancer) can cause AUB. The pelvic exam and Pap ordeal may identify these conditions.

Depending in succession the cause of your AUB, your doctor might have you take medicine to hinder the bleeding. It will take a certain quantity of time for the medicine to work. You may ne to diocese your doctor again after you have taken the medicine for several weeks or months

Will I ne other tests?

more [i]or[/i] less women are at higher risk for serious illness as it was as cancer of the uterus. You might ne more criterions if you:

* Are older than 35 years

* Are overweight or obese

* Have more than 35 days between your periods

* Have diabetes or high offspring pressure

* Take medicines of that kind as tamoxifen (brand name: Nolvadex)

* Have in no degree been pregnant

Your doctor also will consider more experiments if medicine does not stop your bleeding.

Your doctor may perform an endometrial biopsy (say: en-do-mee-tree-al bi-op-see). For this ordeal your doctor uses a special tool to take a tissue sample from the inside of your uterus. This proof can make you have cramps. You may be given a medicine to help with the pain.

Your doctor may fling you to a radiologist for a special ultrasound exam. For this exam, a flimsy tool is put in your vagina. The tool is be joineded by wires to a TV protection It helps the radiologist diocese your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. To improve the view, your uterus may be filled with fluid. This experiment may find growths or changes that might not be plant during a pelvic exam.

Your doctor could decide to perform hysteroscopy (say: hiss-tur-os-ko-pee). This exhibition is another way to descry if you have abnormal changes or increases in your uterus.

If you have gone by the and of menopause and have AUB, your doctor may attract favor to that you have a practice calleld a D&C. This is a surgery to banish a tissue sample from the inside of your uterus. The sample is larger than the individual taken with an endometrial biopsy. For this surgery you will have a general anesthetic. If a general anesthetic is too risky for you, your doctor may commend endometrial biopsy and a transvaginal ultrasound exam.

COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians

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