Pathophysiology and Treatment Guidelines of Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding.

Lee, Kyu Sup

Review

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2005;48(6):1390-1401.
Published online June 1, 2005.

Pathophysiology and Treatment Guidelines of Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea. kuslee@pusan.ac.kr

Abstract

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is the major cause of heavy menstrual bleeding during reproductive years and impacts on women's health both medically and socially. The pathophysiology of DUB is largely unknown but occurs in both ovulatory and anovulatory menstrual cycles. Medical treatments include tranexamic acid, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, combined oral contraceptives, progesterone, danazol, and GnRH analogue. Surgical treatments include endometrial ablation and hysterectomy. Since none of the treatments for DUB is superior to one of the others, and since all treatments have their advantages and disadvantages, counselling and management of patients with DUB should incorporate medical approach, levonorgestrel releasing IUD, endometrial ablation and hysterectomy.

Key Words: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, Pathophysiology, Treatment