Is functional uterine bleeding serious?

Written by Wang Jing Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Updated on January 29, 2025

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Dysfunctional uterine bleeding severity varies from person to person, depending on the specific bleeding situation and individual differences. Some people have mild symptoms and can improve by changing their lifestyle, such as losing weight, gaining weight if underweight, avoiding staying up late, and maintaining a regular life schedule. However, in some cases, dysfunctional uterine bleeding can lead to severe anemia, ineffective drug treatments, or endometrial changes, requiring procedures like curettage.

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Written by Shen Li Wen

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 24sec

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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.

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Written by Li Shun Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

56sec

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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 Shen Li Wen

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 3sec

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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 Liu Jian Wei

Obstetrics and Gynecology

50sec

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Is there a treatment for functional uterine bleeding?

Functional uterine bleeding is not considered a complex or difficult condition in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Therefore, when a woman suffers from functional uterine bleeding, treatment is possible. It is recommended that patients seek consultation at the gynecology clinic of their local hospital, undergo gynecological ultrasound and sex hormone tests among other related examinations, and adopt different treatments based on the results of these tests. Clinically, hormonal medications are commonly used for treatment. Many women experience significant improvement in their functional uterine bleeding after one to two treatment cycles. Most women will regain regular menstrual cycles.

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Written by Zou Fu Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min

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What are the symptoms of functional uterine bleeding?

Functional uterine bleeding is primarily characterized by severe disruptions in menstrual cycle, amount, and duration. The disruptions in menstrual cycles typically manifest as an early onset of menstruation. The amount of menstruation is typically characterized as excessive, and the duration tends to be prolonged. Some women experience heavy bleeding or incomplete clearing, where they may remain unclean for half a month or even one or two months. This condition is primarily seen in adolescent girls and women going through menopause. Adolescent girls with uterine bleeding may experience anemia, and it could lead to infertility later on. Menopausal uterine bleeding may be accompanied by severe anemia, requiring some to be hospitalized for blood transfusions. Moreover, it is essential to perform an ultrasound if the uterine endometrium is thick, to rule out endometrial pathology.