Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB)

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB)

Alternative Names:

Anovulatory bleeding; Bleeding - dysfunctional uterine; DUB
Treatment:

Young women within several years of menarche (the first menstrual period) are not treated unless symptoms are exceptionally severe, such as heavy blood loss causing anemia.

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In women of childbearing age, treatment is aimed at achieving regular menstrual cycles with normal patterns. Oral contraceptives or progestogen therapy are frequently used for this purpose. If anemia is present, iron supplementation may be recommended. If pregnancy is desired, ovulation induction may be attempted with medication.

Women whose symptoms are severe and resistant to medical therapy may choose surgical treatments including endometrial ablation (a procedure that burns or removes the lining of the uterus) or hysterectomy.

In older women who may be approaching menopause, treatment may be elected to offset symptoms. Women may choose from treatments such as hormone supplementation or surgery.

Expectations (prognosis):

Hormonal regulation is usually successful in alleviating symptoms. Induced ovulation, in women desiring pregnancy, is successful in approximately 80% of cases.

Complications:

Infertility resulting from lack of ovulation
Severe anemia as a result of prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding
Prolonged buildup of the uterine lining without adequate menstrual bleeding (a possible factor in the development of endometrial cancer)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have unusual vaginal bleeding.