Functional uterine bleeding is what?

Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 27, 2024
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Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is caused by abnormal ovulation, resulting in abnormal uterine bleeding. In adolescence, due to the immature development of the gonadal axis, most do not have normal ovulation. Although there is follicular development, the absence of ovulation means that the endometrium is not affected by progesterone. Therefore, when estrogen breakthrough bleeding occurs, it may manifest as irregular vaginal bleeding, excessive menstrual flow, or prolonged menstrual periods, which is the blood supply during adolescence. In menopause, women can also experience dysfunctional uterine bleeding due to ovarian failure, immature follicle development, abnormal ovulation, or the absence of ovulation, which can all cause irregular vaginal bleeding.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Functional uterine bleeding is what?

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is caused by abnormal ovulation, resulting in abnormal uterine bleeding. In adolescence, due to the immature development of the gonadal axis, most do not have normal ovulation. Although there is follicular development, the absence of ovulation means that the endometrium is not affected by progesterone. Therefore, when estrogen breakthrough bleeding occurs, it may manifest as irregular vaginal bleeding, excessive menstrual flow, or prolonged menstrual periods, which is the blood supply during adolescence. In menopause, women can also experience dysfunctional uterine bleeding due to ovarian failure, immature follicle development, abnormal ovulation, or the absence of ovulation, which can all cause irregular vaginal bleeding.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to treat functional uterine bleeding?

Functional uterine bleeding should be treated according to the patient's age. If functional uterine bleeding occurs during adolescence, menstrual regulation treatment is needed. If it occurs during the reproductive age, it requires menstrual regulation and hemostasis, along with treatment to promote ovulation. If functional uterine bleeding occurs during menopause, it is mainly due to a lack of progesterone, and treatment with progesterone can be applied at this time. If there is endometrial thickening, dilation and curettage may be necessary, and the treatment plan should be determined based on the pathological results after the procedure.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Functional uterine bleeding untreated

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is an endocrine disorder, often age-related. If dysfunctional uterine bleeding is not treated in a timely manner, some people may experience prolonged bleeding, leading to infections, abdominal pain, fever, and other issues. Additionally, some cases of dysfunctional uterine bleeding may result in excessive blood loss, leading to severe anemia, and even the need for emergency blood transfusions. A minority of cases of dysfunctional uterine bleeding involve abnormal proliferation of the endometrium, with some exhibiting precancerous changes. Consequently, the risk of endometrial cancer is relatively increased, necessitating early treatment.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What to be aware of during a functional uterine bleeding curettage?

When women experience dysfunctional uterine bleeding, if oral medical therapy is ineffective, diagnostic curettage can be used to stop bleeding and to understand the causes of the bleeding. Before undergoing curettage surgery, women should not have sexual intercourse within five days to avoid infections in the reproductive tract. During the curettage process, it is crucial to thoroughly scrape the entire uterine wall, especially the areas around the corners of the uterus. If any abnormal scrapings, such as dirty, greyish-white substances that resemble endometrial cancer, are encountered during the scraping, the procedure should be terminated immediately to avoid causing uterine perforation. For one month after the surgery, sexual intercourse, sitz baths, and swimming should be avoided to prevent infections in the reproductive tract.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What causes functional uterine bleeding?

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding refers to the situation where a woman's uterus, ovaries, and brain do not have any actual organic lesions, such as the absence of uterine fibroids or ovarian cysts, yet there are functional changes that lead to bleeding. For example, the most common causes include excessive mental stress during schooling, emotional changes due to the death of a family member, or changes in living environment due to business trips, all of which can trigger uterine bleeding. In some cases, uterine bleeding may be a manifestation of a systemic disease; for instance, some women may experience it due to severe anemia or as a result of prolonged dieting and poor dietary habits leading to malnutrition and weight loss, especially if there is a sudden drop in weight. Additionally, some women may have metabolic diseases that can also cause uterine bleeding. Metabolic diseases include conditions such as elevated blood sugar, abnormal lipid levels, or anomalies in thyroid and adrenal gland functions.