Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMeaningRelated ConditionsMedication Side EffectCoping With Sudden BleedingTreatmentsAnemia RiskHospitalizationDiagnosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Meaning
Related Conditions
Medication Side Effect
Coping With Sudden Bleeding
Treatments
Anemia Risk
Hospitalization
Diagnosis
In this article, learn more about dysfunctional uterine bleeding, including how it can present in puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
Meaning of Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding—sometimes called abnormal uterine bleeding—refers to vaginal bleeding that is different from your normal menstrual cycle.
These differences can be related to:
Periods
A typical menstrual period lasts up to seven days, with the entire cycle (from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period) lasting 21 to 35 days.Deviations from this could indicate dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
The following are signs of dysfunctional uterine bleeding related to your period:
Pregnancy
Most people think that your period stops while you are pregnant. While this is generally true, some people may experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.
Most of the time, this is not a sign of a problem. However, in some cases, bleeding can indicatemiscarriageorectopic pregnancy. Be aware of heavy bleeding or bleeding near the end of pregnancy, as these can indicate a serious issue.
If you experience any bleeding during pregnancy, err on the side of caution and call your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) for guidance on the next steps.
Menopause
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is a sign ofperimenopause, which happens in the years leading up tomenopause.Changes in your period frequency, how much and how many days you bleed, and blood thickness—among other symptoms—occur as a result of your ovaries producing less estrogen.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), any bleeding after menopause is considered abnormal.
Conditions That Cause Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
Many factors can cause dysfunctional uterine bleeding, such as structural changes to the uterus or hormonal shifts.
Some common causes of dysfunctional uterine bleeding include the following:
The symptoms of your bleeding changes can point to the underlying cause.
For example, going three months or longer without a period could be a sign of PCOS or perimenopause, depending on your age and other related symptoms. It could also be due to hormonal birth control methods like theintrauterine device(IUD).
Factors like age, fertility, additional symptoms, and medications can all clue you into the cause, though there can be multiple causes behind dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
UnderdiagnosisIf you experience excessive bleeding or other symptoms of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, seek prompt medical intervention. Sometimes, the cause is harmless; other times, it’s a sign of a serious underlying condition.There is significant underdiagnosis of conditions relating to female reproductive organs, including cervical or endometrial cancer, menopause, PCOS, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and more.The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can get an accurate diagnosis.
Underdiagnosis
If you experience excessive bleeding or other symptoms of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, seek prompt medical intervention. Sometimes, the cause is harmless; other times, it’s a sign of a serious underlying condition.There is significant underdiagnosis of conditions relating to female reproductive organs, including cervical or endometrial cancer, menopause, PCOS, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and more.The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can get an accurate diagnosis.
If you experience excessive bleeding or other symptoms of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, seek prompt medical intervention. Sometimes, the cause is harmless; other times, it’s a sign of a serious underlying condition.
There is significant underdiagnosis of conditions relating to female reproductive organs, including cervical or endometrial cancer, menopause, PCOS, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and more.The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can get an accurate diagnosis.
As a Medication Side Effect
Your medications can impact uterine bleeding, so it’s helpful to understand these possible side effects.
Hormonal birth control, like acontinuous-cycle pillor hormonal IUD, are common culprits for causing vaginal bleeding changes. These changes often manifest as lighter and less frequent periods or bleeding mid-cycle.According to one study, 18.2% of people using the levonorgestrel IUD had no period for at least one 90-day interval in their first year of use.
On the other hand, takingblood thinnersor aspirin can contribute to heavier-than-normal menstrual bleeding. About 70% of menstruating individuals who take blood thinners experience heavy menstrual bleeding.Thenon-hormonal copper IUDcan also contribute to heavy menstrual bleeding.
How to Handle Sudden Bleeding
It can be frustrating, annoying, and potentially embarrassing to deal with sudden menstrual bleeding, particularly if you’re unprepared. While inconvenient, it happens to many people.
To cope with sudden bleeding, be prepared with menstruation supplies. Stock your purse with tampons, your office desk with pads, or stash period underwear in your car.
Having a spare pair of underwear or trousers on hand is also useful—you can also tie a shirt or sweater around your waist in a pinch.
If you don’t have supplies handy, many public restrooms sell pads and tampons for a small fee—or you could ask another menstruating individual.
If your sudden bleeding is heavy, contains large clots, or you feel dizzy or in extreme pain, contact a medical provider for help.
Treatments to Stop Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
In some cases, dysfunctional uterine bleeding does not go away on its own and requires treatment.
The treatment depends on what the cause of your bleeding is, as well as what type of dysfunction you’re having. Hormonal birth control is frequently recommended to regulate frequent or heavy periods.
Some medical treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding include:
Non-Medical Alternatives
There are various home remedies for dysfunctional uterine bleeding, but keep in mind there is not as much evidence to support these methods.
Anemia Risk With Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding that lasts longer than seven days or is particularly heavy can lead to anemia.
Iron deficiency anemiais when the body does not have enough red blood cells, resulting in intense fatigue, coldness, pale skin, depression, fainting, and more. One study of 150 people with heavy menstrual bleeding found that 51% had low iron, and 40% qualified as anemic.
Why Your Body Might Need Extra Iron During Your Period
Hospitalization for Severe Bleeding
In the case of severe uterine bleeding, you may require hospitalization. After stabilizing you, your medical provider will administer medication, such as multiple doses of hormonal contraception or tranexamic acid, to slow the bleeding.They will also look for the cause of the bleeding. Surgery may be required in rare cases.
Steps to Getting Dysfunctional Bleeding Diagnosed
If you are having what you believe is dysfunctional uterine bleeding, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis. Treatment differs based on the cause of the bleeding so this is an essential first step.
Tracking your menstrual cycle can be a helpful tool for determining irregularities. There are many apps for this, but you could also use a calendar or notebook.
Make an appointment with a gynecologist to discuss your concerns, and be sure to mention any other symptoms you’re experiencing as well.
Summary
Bleeding is considered dysfunctional if it occurs outside the normal menstrual cycle, is unusually heavy or light, or lasts shorter or longer than usual. There are many possible causes of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, ranging from polyps to medication to health conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS, cancer, and more.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health.Dysfunctional uterine bleeding.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Abnormal uterine bleeding.Berz K, Mccambridge T.Amenorrhea in the female athlete: what to do and when to worry.Pediatr Ann. 2016;45(3):97-102. doi:10.3928/00904481-20160210-03The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Perimenopausal bleeding and bleeding after menopause.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Clinical Guidance.Management of acute abnormal uterine in nonpregnant reproductive-aged women.Hu S, Hinson JL, Matnani R, Cibull ML, Karabakhtsian RG.Are the uterine serous carcinomas underdiagnosed? Histomorphologic and immunohistochemical correlates and clinical follow up in high-grade endometrial carcinomas initially diagnosed as high-grade endometrioid carcinoma.Mod Pathol. 2018;31(2):358-364. doi:10.1038/modpathol.2017.131Sussman M, Trocio J, Best C, et al.Prevalence of menopausal symptoms among mid-life women: findings from electronic medical records.BMC Women’s Health. 2015;15(1):58. doi:10.1186%2Fs12905-015-0217-yHudson N.The missed disease? Endometriosis as an example of ‘undone science.’Reprod Biomed Soc Online. 2021;14:20-27. doi:10.1016/j.rbms.2021.07.003Sergison JE, Maldonado LY, Gao X, Hubacher D.Levonorgestrel intrauterine system associated amenorrhea: a systematic review and metaanalysis.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2019;220(5):440-448.e8. doi:10.1016%2Fj.ajog.2018.12.008Samuelson Bannow B.Management of heavy menstrual bleeding on anticoagulation.Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2020;2020(1):533-537. doi:10.1182%2Fhematology.2020000138The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Heavy menstrual bleeding.Akpan IJ, Pavord S.Gynecologic conditions and anemia: what can we do about iron deficiency anemia in women?The Hematologist. 2022;19(3). doi:10.1182/hem.V19.3.2022311
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health.Dysfunctional uterine bleeding.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Abnormal uterine bleeding.Berz K, Mccambridge T.Amenorrhea in the female athlete: what to do and when to worry.Pediatr Ann. 2016;45(3):97-102. doi:10.3928/00904481-20160210-03The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Perimenopausal bleeding and bleeding after menopause.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Clinical Guidance.Management of acute abnormal uterine in nonpregnant reproductive-aged women.Hu S, Hinson JL, Matnani R, Cibull ML, Karabakhtsian RG.Are the uterine serous carcinomas underdiagnosed? Histomorphologic and immunohistochemical correlates and clinical follow up in high-grade endometrial carcinomas initially diagnosed as high-grade endometrioid carcinoma.Mod Pathol. 2018;31(2):358-364. doi:10.1038/modpathol.2017.131Sussman M, Trocio J, Best C, et al.Prevalence of menopausal symptoms among mid-life women: findings from electronic medical records.BMC Women’s Health. 2015;15(1):58. doi:10.1186%2Fs12905-015-0217-yHudson N.The missed disease? Endometriosis as an example of ‘undone science.’Reprod Biomed Soc Online. 2021;14:20-27. doi:10.1016/j.rbms.2021.07.003Sergison JE, Maldonado LY, Gao X, Hubacher D.Levonorgestrel intrauterine system associated amenorrhea: a systematic review and metaanalysis.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2019;220(5):440-448.e8. doi:10.1016%2Fj.ajog.2018.12.008Samuelson Bannow B.Management of heavy menstrual bleeding on anticoagulation.Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2020;2020(1):533-537. doi:10.1182%2Fhematology.2020000138The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Heavy menstrual bleeding.Akpan IJ, Pavord S.Gynecologic conditions and anemia: what can we do about iron deficiency anemia in women?The Hematologist. 2022;19(3). doi:10.1182/hem.V19.3.2022311
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Health.Dysfunctional uterine bleeding.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Abnormal uterine bleeding.Berz K, Mccambridge T.Amenorrhea in the female athlete: what to do and when to worry.Pediatr Ann. 2016;45(3):97-102. doi:10.3928/00904481-20160210-03The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Perimenopausal bleeding and bleeding after menopause.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Clinical Guidance.Management of acute abnormal uterine in nonpregnant reproductive-aged women.Hu S, Hinson JL, Matnani R, Cibull ML, Karabakhtsian RG.Are the uterine serous carcinomas underdiagnosed? Histomorphologic and immunohistochemical correlates and clinical follow up in high-grade endometrial carcinomas initially diagnosed as high-grade endometrioid carcinoma.Mod Pathol. 2018;31(2):358-364. doi:10.1038/modpathol.2017.131Sussman M, Trocio J, Best C, et al.Prevalence of menopausal symptoms among mid-life women: findings from electronic medical records.BMC Women’s Health. 2015;15(1):58. doi:10.1186%2Fs12905-015-0217-yHudson N.The missed disease? Endometriosis as an example of ‘undone science.’Reprod Biomed Soc Online. 2021;14:20-27. doi:10.1016/j.rbms.2021.07.003Sergison JE, Maldonado LY, Gao X, Hubacher D.Levonorgestrel intrauterine system associated amenorrhea: a systematic review and metaanalysis.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2019;220(5):440-448.e8. doi:10.1016%2Fj.ajog.2018.12.008Samuelson Bannow B.Management of heavy menstrual bleeding on anticoagulation.Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2020;2020(1):533-537. doi:10.1182%2Fhematology.2020000138The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Heavy menstrual bleeding.Akpan IJ, Pavord S.Gynecologic conditions and anemia: what can we do about iron deficiency anemia in women?The Hematologist. 2022;19(3). doi:10.1182/hem.V19.3.2022311
Harvard Health.Dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Abnormal uterine bleeding.
Berz K, Mccambridge T.Amenorrhea in the female athlete: what to do and when to worry.Pediatr Ann. 2016;45(3):97-102. doi:10.3928/00904481-20160210-03
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Perimenopausal bleeding and bleeding after menopause.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Clinical Guidance.Management of acute abnormal uterine in nonpregnant reproductive-aged women.
Hu S, Hinson JL, Matnani R, Cibull ML, Karabakhtsian RG.Are the uterine serous carcinomas underdiagnosed? Histomorphologic and immunohistochemical correlates and clinical follow up in high-grade endometrial carcinomas initially diagnosed as high-grade endometrioid carcinoma.Mod Pathol. 2018;31(2):358-364. doi:10.1038/modpathol.2017.131
Sussman M, Trocio J, Best C, et al.Prevalence of menopausal symptoms among mid-life women: findings from electronic medical records.BMC Women’s Health. 2015;15(1):58. doi:10.1186%2Fs12905-015-0217-y
Hudson N.The missed disease? Endometriosis as an example of ‘undone science.’Reprod Biomed Soc Online. 2021;14:20-27. doi:10.1016/j.rbms.2021.07.003
Sergison JE, Maldonado LY, Gao X, Hubacher D.Levonorgestrel intrauterine system associated amenorrhea: a systematic review and metaanalysis.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2019;220(5):440-448.e8. doi:10.1016%2Fj.ajog.2018.12.008
Samuelson Bannow B.Management of heavy menstrual bleeding on anticoagulation.Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2020;2020(1):533-537. doi:10.1182%2Fhematology.2020000138
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Heavy menstrual bleeding.
Akpan IJ, Pavord S.Gynecologic conditions and anemia: what can we do about iron deficiency anemia in women?The Hematologist. 2022;19(3). doi:10.1182/hem.V19.3.2022311
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