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Abnormal uterine bleeding |
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Abnormal uterine bleeding may be light, heavy, irregular, or frequent, and may occur after menopause. In about 25% of the females who experience abnormal bleeding are caused by physical problems. In the rest of the 75%, the cause is from hormonal problems that affect the control of the reproductive system by the pituitary gland and nypothalamus, and in many cases common during the reproductive period of time; this kind of bleeding is called dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Vaginal bleeding after menopause and after puberty is almost always abnormal. Bleeding can result from inflammation of the vagina (from an inserted object, sexual abuse, injuries to the vagina or vulva, blood disorders that may lead to abnormal clotting, example: low platelet count or leukemia), as well as injection of the uterus. Other causes of abnormal uterine bleeding may include adenomyosis, cysts, and fibroids in the reproductive tract. Tumors of the ovary usually causes vaginal bleeding but only if it produces hormones. Prolapse of the urethra can also cause the bleeding. Age is a very important factor to determine exact cause of uterine bleeding. A baby girl can experience some spotting of blood, for several days after she was born because of estrogens absorbed before birth from her mother, which should not be a concern. Bleeding during childhood can be caused by puberty that begins very early (precocious puberty). Breasts and pubic hairs are usually symptoms that puberty has started. At very early age, puberty can be caused by certain medications, low thyroid hormone levels, brain abnormalities, as well as hormone-producing tumors of ovaries or the adrenal glands. In many cases, the cause is unknown. Bleeding in girls in their childhood can also be resulted from vaginal adenosis (glandular tissue overgrowth) which is frequently caused by exposure to DES (diethylstilbestrol) used by the mother before the child is born. Girls with vaginal adenosis are most likely to develop cancer of the vagina and cervix in her later life. Abnormal uterine bleeding in the reproductive years may be resulted from birth control treatments such as oral contraceptives, IUD – an intrauterine device, progesterone, or pregnancy complications such as abnormally placed placenta (placenta previa or an ectopic pregnancy). The bleeding may be caused in this group of age by a cancer, but it is not common. The major cause of abnormal bleeding in women after menopause is cancers including cervix, vaginal, and endometrium (uterine lining). The noncancerous causes of abnormal bleeding may include thickening of the uterine lining, thinning of endometrium, atrophic vaginitis (thinning of the vaginal wall), as well as uterine polyps. Treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding depends on the cause. If a physician suggests cancer or vaginal adenosis in a girl, a tiny portion of cells is removed from the vagina and are tested under a microscope. In most cases, girls who have vaginal adenosis need no treatment until the cancer is discovered, but she must be re-examined regularly for symptoms of vaginal cancers. Women who have abnormal uterine bleeding, especially after menopause should be checked by a gynecologist, to see if she has cancer, fibroids, or uterine polyps that can be surgically taken out. Postmenopausal women who experience irregular bleeding while using estrogen can have more regular menstrual periods if progestin is also used for about 10 days during each cycle. If a woman does not use a progestin along with estrogen, she may have a higher risk of developing cancer of the uterine lining (endometrium). If the endometrium contains abnormal cells and is thickened, it may be precancerous, and only one treatment, such as hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) must be done.
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| Category |
Women's Health
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| Related Searches |
abnormal uterine bleeding study, cause of abnormal uterine bleeding |
| Date Submitted |
09-Oct-2005
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