What causes functional uterine bleeding?

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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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.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to treat functional uterine bleeding that has lasted for more than ten years?

If a woman has been suffering from dysfunctional uterine bleeding for more than ten years, a detailed examination should first be conducted to understand the causes of the bleeding. Blood tests can be done for hormonal profiles, thyroid, and adrenal functions, as well as blood glucose levels to identify any issues, such as potential ovarian dysfunction, which can be treated with short-acting oral contraceptives. Long-term irregular vaginal bleeding can lead to anemia, requiring a blood test to assess the severity of the anemia. If the anemia is not severe, oral iron supplements can be taken to correct it. Some women might experience infections due to prolonged bleeding, in which case broad-spectrum antibiotics can be prescribed to treat the infection. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does functional uterine bleeding cause abdominal pain?

When women experience dysfunctional uterine bleeding, if this occurs during an anovulatory period, such as in adolescent or menopausal women, they generally do not experience abdominal pain. Some women have relatively regular menstrual cycles and only exhibit irregular bleeding between periods; these women still ovulate, and they may experience painful menstruation when their period comes. Furthermore, if dysfunctional uterine bleeding persists, it can lead to a decrease in a woman's immunity. Some women may develop concurrent gynecological inflammation, such as inflammation of the endometrium or adnexa. Even if menstruation does not occur, these women may experience abdominal pain, presenting as unilateral lower abdominal pain or heaviness, and the pain may intensify during menstruation.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Functional uterine bleeding refers to abnormal bleeding from the uterus.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding in women is when the reproductive system has no organic lesions but is caused by internal and external factors that lead to abnormal gonadal axis function, resulting in irregular vaginal bleeding. For example, it is common for women to experience large emotional fluctuations due to family changes or other events, or changes in their work and living environments, excessive fatigue, frequent staying up late, etc., all of which can cause abnormal gonadal axis function. Furthermore, some endocrine disorders in women, such as elevated blood glucose levels and abnormal thyroid or adrenal gland function, can also affect the function of the gonadal axis and cause dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is functional uterine bleeding serious?

Functional uterine bleeding is a disease caused by hormonal imbalances in women. Most cases of functional uterine bleeding are not serious, but being not serious does not mean it can be ignored. Generally, when a woman experiences functional uterine bleeding, it is recommended to immediately seek medical attention at the gynecology outpatient clinic of a local hospital, undergo a gynecological color ultrasound, sex hormone panel, and other relevant examinations. Identify the causes and types of functional uterine bleeding, and adopt different treatment plans based on different results. Meanwhile, it is important to note that if the bleeding is heavy, it may be necessary to perform a blood cell examination to determine whether anemia has occurred.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 24sec home-news-image

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.