What are the symptoms of functional uterine bleeding?

Written by Zou Fu Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 25, 2024
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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.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What foods should be avoided with functional uterine bleeding?

When women suffer from dysfunctional uterine bleeding, they should be particularly careful with their diet. For example, most women at this time have pelvic congestion, so it is best not to eat cold or uncooked foods, as these can aggravate pelvic congestion, leading to increased bleeding or prolonged bleeding duration. Additionally, it is advisable to avoid foods that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, or some proprietary Chinese medicines, such as the commonly seen saffron, which can also increase menstrual flow and vaginal bleeding. Most women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding, if prolonged, can affect their immunity, leading to infections. Therefore, it is best to avoid spicy foods during this period to prevent exacerbating infections.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is functional uterine bleeding serious?

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 Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to examine functional uterine bleeding?

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding primarily requires checking for any present anemia with routine blood tests and coagulation studies. Ultrasound is needed to examine the pelvis and uterine cavity, including the thickness of the endometrium. Treatment methods should be considered based on these results. Some cases can be managed with medication; others may require another diagnostic curettage to further clarify the condition of the endometrium; some may need contraceptives or similar treatments for 3-6 months, as this is fundamentally an endocrine issue involving hormonal imbalance, where hormonal treatment tends to be quite effective.

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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 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.