What are the symptoms of functional uterine bleeding?

Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Functional uterine bleeding, clinically divided into ovulatory and anovulatory functional uterine bleeding, presents differently depending on the type. Typically, the clinical manifestation of anovulatory functional uterine bleeding includes prolonged menstrual dripping or heavy vaginal bleeding. In such cases, it is recommended that patients seek immediate medical attention at a local hospital for a clear diagnosis and timely treatment. Ovulatory uterine bleeding is often characterized by changes in the menstrual cycle; some women may experience a shortened cycle, while others may have an extended menstrual cycle.

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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.

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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 Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What causes functional uterine bleeding?

Functional uterine bleeding is commonly seen in adolescence and menopause, primarily caused by the absence of normal ovulation. Without ovulation, there is no production of progesterone, leading to irregular vaginal bleeding or heavy bleeding under the influence of estrogen. The main treatment method is menstrual regulation. For adolescent girls, menstrual regulation and ovulation induction treatment are needed, as this is caused by abnormal development of the gonadal axis. Progesterone can be used for menstrual regulation. In menopausal women, menopausal functional uterine bleeding mostly results from abnormal ovulation, essentially due to a lack of progesterone, so treatment with progesterone can be applied. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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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 Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Functional uterine bleeding will be cured.

Functional uterine bleeding is not uncommon in clinical practice, and most cases of functional uterine bleeding can be cured. The cause of functional bleeding is primarily due to a disorder of various hormones in women, including estrogen and progesterone. Therefore, when a patient suspects functional uterine bleeding, it is necessary to conduct gynecological color Doppler ultrasound and sex hormone tests amongst others, to assess the levels of various hormones in the female endocrine system. Based on the different abnormal results, different treatment methods are selected. Generally, after hormonal adjustment, the hormone levels in most women will return to the normal range.