Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB)

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• QShould I talk to my doctor about my DUB symptoms?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) experience irregularly timed periods (less than 28 or more than 35 days apart) with occasional bleeding in between periods. Vaginal bleeding during the period is often heavier than normal and lasts more than the normal period length of seven days. Excessive blood loss can lead to fatigue and anemia. Beyond the menstrual cycle, women will experience symptoms of irregular hormone levels. This includes body hair growth and mood swings.

  Irregular periods are expected when a young woman starts her period or when a woman is about to enter menopause, but abnormal bleeding like this can have a number of causes. Talk to your doctor if your DUB symptoms are disruptive to your everyday life. Hormonal treatment can make DUB more manageable. It is also important to go to the doctor if you think you are at risk for endometrial cancer. Risk factors for endometrial cancer include women over the age of 40 (especially between ages 60-70), obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, a history of irregular periods, polycystic ovary syndrome, gallbladder disease, never having been pregnant, and problems related to the uterine lining that your doctor can find through various imaging examinations.

• QWhat causes dysfunctional uterine bleeding?

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  A Dr. Kevin S. Jensen, MD , OBGYN (Obstetrics & Gynecology), answered on behalf of St. Mark's Hospital

  

  Watch this video and learn about the many causes of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, like polyps, cancer, low thyroid and more, from Kevin Jensen, MD, from St. Mark's Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates.

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• QWhat is dysfunctional uterine bleeding?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is an excessive vaginal bleeding that is abnormal to the menstrual cycle. Bleeding occurs either more or less frequently than is typical for menstruation and the bleeding may be significantly thicker and heavier than it should be. It is also possible that bleeding could occur very frequently and be present in between periods. The changes in bleeding are caused by irregular hormones. These irregularities are usually treatable by hormones, and in some instances surgical methods will be used.

  Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is common, especially among women whose periods are irregular. This includes women who have just begun or are ending their periods. DUB is one of the more common reasons why a woman would go see her doctor. Approximately 1 in 19 US women ages 18-50 report menstrual problems annually.

  Some women bleed so heavily with DUB that additional medical care may be necessary. Many women have difficulties containing heavy bleeding with sanitary pads and tampons. These problems can usually be fixed through hormonal therapy. For severe bleeding, some women require intravenous estrogen and fluids and occasionally a blood transfusion. See your doctor if you are concerned about your heavy bleeding.

  Some thyroid and hormone disorders can cause DUB. Hypothyroidism, for example, can prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg; this causes the hormones to remain high later in the menstrual cycle. Other illnesses can affect treatment—women with heart or blood vessel disorders or who are at high risk for heart disorders are not usually given birth control pills for treatment. The cycle of abnormal thickening and irregular shedding associated with dysfunctional uterine bleeding can cause precancerous cells to develop.

  DUB is very treatable. It is important, however, that you go to your doctor to see if you have any complications.

• QWhat do I need to know about caring for someone with DUB?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Twenty percent of women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding are adolescents. Over 50 percent of women with DUB are over the age of 45. Adolescents often grow out of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. The beginning of young woman's period is often irregular and then become regular after some time. Other adolescents, though, may require treatment to deal with severe and disruptive symptoms. Because dysfunctional uterine bleeding can occur at any time in a woman's child bearing years, many older women experience symptoms. Adolescents are less frequently treated when the period is not disruptively heavy and the doctor thinks she will grow out of the disorder soon. Women with severe symptoms can be treated with NSAIDs, birth control pills or other hormonal methods. If these methods don't help and they no longer want to have children, they may consider a hysterectomy or other surgical procedure.

  When caring for someone with dysfunctional uterine bleeding, be aware of symptoms of the disorder. Be sensitive to mood swings, which are a symptom of irregular hormones, and remember that fatigue is problem associated with excessive bleeding. Anemia can be a serious side effect and require iron treatment. Make sure the person takes all medications as prescribed. If the person is having problems because of infertility related to the condition, be sensitive to the emotional stress this may be placing her under.

• QHow is dysfunctional uterine bleeding treated?

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  A Dr. Kevin S. Jensen, MD , OBGYN (Obstetrics & Gynecology), answered on behalf of St. Mark's Hospital

  

  There are many treatments for dysfunctional uterine bleeding, depending on the cause of the problem. Watch Kevin Jensen, MD, from St. Mark's Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates, go through the many options for women to deal with this condition.

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• QWhen should I call my doctor about abnormal vaginal bleeding?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  

  It is recommended that you call your doctor about bleeding that is heavy, prolonged, or between periods; bleeding accompanied by an odor, discharge, or severe pain; or bleeding or spotting during a pregnancy or suspected pregnancy. Watch Dr. Oz talk about abnormal bleeding and endometrial cancer.
  
  
  
• QIs there a cure for dysfunctional uterine bleeding?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Dysfunctional uterine bleeding can be treated completely through hormone therapy in most cases. Some people may require removal of the lining of the uterus to fix heavy bleeding, either through dilation and curettage or endometrial ablation. Rarely, people may require a hysterectomy to completely remove the uterus. Because of the serious results of this surgery, such as infertility, it is no longer used as often as it was in the past and is usually only used with menopausal women. Anemia is a possible complication, but this can be treated through iron supplements.
• QWhat other disorders may be causing DUB symptoms?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Dysfunctional uterine bleeding symptoms may be ovulatory (excessive bleeding during menstrual cycles) or anovulatory (linked to a disorder that prevents ovulation). Ovulatory DUB symptoms may be caused by polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, or luteal phase dysfunction, among other conditions.Anovulatory DUB symptoms may also be caused by polycystic ovary syndrome or endometriosis, but also hypothyroidism or ovarian failure.

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• QHow do other illnesses affect dysfunctional uterine bleeding?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Some thyroid and hormone disorders can cause dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Hypothyroidism, for example, can prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg; this causes the hormones to remain high later in the menstrual cycle. Other illnesses can affect treatment -- women with heart or blood vessel disorders or who are at high risk for heart disorders are not usually given birth control pills for treatment. The cycle of abnormal thickening and irregular shedding associated with dysfunctional uterine bleeding can cause precancerous cells to develop.
• QWhat are the symptoms of dysfunctional uterine bleeding?

  1 Answer

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding experience irregularly timed periods (less than 28 or more than 35 days apart) with occasional bleeding in between periods. Vaginal bleeding during the period is often heavier than normal and lasts more than the normal period length of seven days. Excessive blood loss can lead to fatigue and anemia. Beyond the menstrual cycle, women will experience symptoms of irregular hormone levels. This includes body hair growth and mood swings.