Abnormal uterine bleeding causes
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rinky Agnes Botleroo, M.B.B.S., Arooj Naz, M.B.B.S
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Dysfunctional uterine bleeding Microchapters |
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Differentiating Dysfunctional uterine bleeding from other Diseases |
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Overview
Uterine bleeding can be divided into anatomical or structural and non-structural causes. The anatomical causes include Polyp, adenomyosis, Leiomyoma and Malignancy or hyperplasia. The non-structural causes include Coagulopathy, Ovulatory dysfunction, such as PCOS, Endometrial disorders, such as endometriosis, and Iatrogenic causes. In some women, no underlying cause can be identifiedd. These women are thought to have abnormal bleeding due to causes not otherwise classified.
Causes
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is a historical term for a diagnosis of exclusion, referring to abnormal uterine bleeding unrelated to structural uterine abnormalities.
Other conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps and systemic diseases should be excluded by appropriate investigations. In the adolescent, investigations for a coagulopathy should be performed. The pathophysiology of DUB is largely unknown but occurs in both ovulatory and anovulatory menstrual cycles.
Causes of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
PALM-COEIN is a useful acronym provided by the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO) to classify the casuses of abnormal uterine bleeding. The first portion, PALM, describes anatomical issues. The second portion, COEI, describes non-structural causes. The N stands for "not otherwise classified."[1]
P: Polyp
Endometrial polyps refer to overgrown glands and storm within the uterine cavity. The vary in size, number and location and are most common amongst the ages of 40-49.[2]
A: Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue (the inner lining of the uterus) within the myometrium (the thick, muscular layer of the uterus). It is most commonly seen affects most women in their 30's and 40's.[3]
L: Leiomyoma
Leiomyoma are tumours of benign origin made up primarily of smooth muscle and fibrous connective tissue that can presents as serosal, submucosal, subserosalor pedunculated masses. They most often affect women over the age of 50, and especially those of African descent.[4]
M: Malignancy and hyperplasia
Endometrial malignancy is a common cause of post-menopausal bleeding and often has a higher mortality rate. Women between the ages of 65-74 are most often affected.[5]
C: Coagulopathy
Coaguloptahies refer to any conditions, inherited or acquired that result in abnormal uterine bleeding.
A very common ovulatory dysfunction resulting in abnormal uterine bleeding is polycystic ovarian syndrome. This most often presents in young women due to a hormonal imbalance.
Endometrial disorders, such as endometriosis can result in abnormal bleeding. Endometriosis is the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. When proliferating and shedding, endometrial tissue in all various locations will act similarly.
I: Iatrogenic
Iatrogenic causes of abnormal bleeding include unopposed and continuous exposure to estrogen and progesterone therapy, as is seen with contraceptive medications, GnRH agonists, and SERMs.[6] Anticoagulant medications are also included in this category now.
N: Not otherwise classified
This category is reserved for those in whom no other underlying cause can be diagnosed despite examinations and imaging.
Common Causes
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
- Leiomyomas (fibroids)
- Endometrial hyperplasia
- Abortion
- Cervicitis
- Endometrial Carcinoma
- Endometritis
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Vaginitis
Causes by Organ System
| Cardiovascular | No underlying causes |
| Chemical / poisoning | No underlying causes |
| Dermatologic | No underlying causes |
| Drug Side Effect | Blood thinners, breakthrough bleeding in women using hormonal birth control, copper intrauterine device , depo-Provera
hormone replacement therapy, tamoxifen, corticosteroids, chemotherapy, clomiphene, dilantin, antipsychotic drugs , antibiotics ( due to toxic epidermal necrolysis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome ) |
| Ear Nose Throat | No underlying causes |
| Endocrine | Diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, Hormone secreting adrenal and ovarian tumors |
| Environmental | No underlying causes |
| Gastroenterologic | Liver disease |
| Genetic | No underlying causes |
| Hematologic | Clotting disorders, Von Willebrand disease, thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction,
acute leukemia ,Some factor deficiencies, Advanced liver disease |
| Iatrogenic | Radiation therapy |
| Infectious Disease | Chlamydia, gonorrhea, uterine infection, genitourinary tract infection, bacterial vaginosis
sexually transmitted diseases, atrophic vaginitis |
| Musculoskeletal / Ortho | No underlying causes |
| Neurologic | No underlying causes |
| Nutritional / Metabolic | No underlying causes |
| Obstetric/Gynecologic | Adenomyosis, atrophy of the tissue lining the vagina and uterus, cervicitis, ectopic pregnancy, endometrial hyperplasia, endometritis, uterine sarcoma, first few months after the first menstrual period, first few weeks after abortion, first few weeks after delivery, intrauterine device, miscarriage, ovarian cysts, placenta previa, polycystic ovarian syndrome, retained products of conception, uterine fibroids, uterine polyps, diseases involving the vulva for example Crohn's disease, Behcet's syndrome , pemphigoid , pemphigus , erosive lichen planus , lymphoma, skin tags, sebaceous cysts, condylomata, angiokerataoma |
| Oncologic | Cancer or precancer of the cervix , cancer or precancer of the endometrium, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, uterine sarcoma |
| Opthalmologic | No underlying causes |
| Overdose / Toxicity | No underlying causes |
| Psychiatric | No underlying causes |
| Pulmonary | No underlying causes |
| Renal / Electrolyte | Chronic renal disease |
| Rheum / Immune / Allergy | No underlying causes |
| Sexual | Sexual abuse |
| Trauma | Sexual intercourse , sexual abuse , foreign bodies (including IUD) , pelvic trauma, Straddle injuries |
| Urologic | Genitourinary tract infection |
| Dental | No underlying causes |
| Miscellaneous | Foreign body, irritation of the genital area due to bubble baths, soaps, lotions or infection, smoking,
Excessive exercise |
Causes in Alphabetical Order
References
- ↑ "StatPearls". 2022. PMID 30422508.
- ↑ "StatPearls". ( ). 2022: . PMID 32491756 Check
|pmid=value (help). - ↑ "StatPearls". ( ). 2022: . PMID 30969690.
- ↑ "StatPearls". ( ). 2022: . PMID 30855861.
- ↑ "StatPearls". ( ). 2022: . PMID 32965984 Check
|pmid=value (help). - ↑ Whitaker L, Critchley HO (2016). "Abnormal uterine bleeding". Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 34: 54–65. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2015.11.012. PMC 4970656. PMID 26803558.