Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB)

ABSTRACT

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is not one disease but a category of diseases. The dysfunction underlying the abnormal bleeding is unknown though it is widely believed to be due to a defect in ovulation and oestrogen and progesterone secretion. Diagnosis is by exclusion and curettage to eliminate organic gynaecological disease, anaemia and any obvious cause must be treated. Treatment is by observation to await spontaneous cure, hormone or anti-fibrinolytic therapy, hysterectomy or radiotherapy and is ultra-conservative in the young, becoming more radical as the menopause is approached (AU)