Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding – Your FAQ Guide

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is not a diagnosis that any woman wants to hear. After all, it’s a bit scary to hear one of our own body parts described as “dysfunctional.” Yet, if you suspect you have this condition or the doctor has already made the diagnosis, learning more about it will help alleviate some of those fears. Here is your FAQ guide to this condition:

What is dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB)?

Also known as DUB, it indicates abnormal bleeding that originates in the uterus and flows out through the vagina. Doctors often make the diagnosis when they can find no other source for irregular bleeding. Symptoms include:

• Bleeding or spotting between periods

• Irregular periods

• Bleeding that includes large clots and is heavy enough to soak a large pad or super-absorbency tampon every hour for 2 to 3 hours in a row

• A period that lasts longer than normal for you or lasts more than 7 days

• Excessive hair growth

• Hot flashes

• Extreme moodiness

What causes the condition?

• A reproductive system that doesn’t mature properly (which is why teens may be more prone to DUB)

• Blood vessels in the uterus that are fragile and prone to bleeding

• Improper levels of reproductive hormones, like estrogen or progesterone (which is the cause of symptoms like excessive hair growth)

• Weight issues, such as rapid weight fluctuations, anorexia, or obesity

• Stress

My doctor says I have anovulatory DUB. What’s that?

In nearly 90% of dysfunctional uterine bleeding cases, the woman does not ovulate. When the ovaries don’t produce and release mature eggs, the body continuously produces the hormone estrogen, which over-stimulates production of the uterine lining. This creates bleeding that is heavy or occurs between periods.

How do I know for sure if I have DUB?

Irregular bleeding from the vagina has many potential causes, including pelvic infection, uterine fibroids, endometrial or cervical cancer, ovarian cysts, or blood clotting disorders. Because there are so many other causes, a doctor will perform a physical exam and extensive testing to rule them out. Tests for dysfunctional uterine bleeding might include ultrasound, MRI, laparoscopy, and endometrial biopsy.

How will this disorder be treated?

Doctors may prescribe an oral birth control pill or recommend an intrauterine device (IUD) to control hormone levels and regulate the reproductive system.

Options for patients who don’t respond to other treatments include endometrial ablation, which removes some of the uterus’ lining, and, in severe cases, a hysterectomy.

Excessive bleeding causes anemia in about 30% of DUB sufferers. If blood tests reveal you’re iron deficient, your doctor may recommend you take a daily supplement.

If you want to get pregnant but you’re not ovulating with dysfunctional uterine bleeding, a reproductive specialist may prescribe fertility drugs. In addition to controlling the bleeding, these infertility medications also stimulate the ovaries to release mature eggs.

What can I do right now if I think I have DUB?

Make an appointment with a doctor — only he or she can give you a proper diagnosis. In the meantime, keep a detailed calendar of when and how much you’re bleeding. Also note other symptoms and when they occur. The doctor will use that info in conjunction with tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.

DUB is not only an inconvenient disorder, if you’re trying to have a baby, it can prevent you from conceiving. Talk to your doctor today about potential treatments for dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

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