A systematic approach to chronic abnormal uterine bleeding
The care you provide to women of childbearing age who are bleeding gets an assist from an established classification system of 9 causes and a range of therapies.
PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS
› Perform endometrial biopsy on all women who have abnormal uterine bleeding and risk factors for endometrial cancer and on all women ≥45 years, regardless of risk. C
› Initiate a workup for a coagulation disorder in women who are close to the onset of menarche and have a history of heavy menstrual bleeding. C
› Promote lifestyle changes and weight loss as primary treatments for polycystic ovary syndrome. B
Strength of recommendation (SOR)
A Good-quality patient-oriented evidence
B Inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence
C Consensus, usual practice, opinion, disease-oriented evidence, case series
Recently, Ms. R reports, she has been bleeding continuously for 14 days, with episodes of lighter bleeding followed by heavier bleeding. She also complains of fatigue.
Bimanual examination is notable for an enlarged uterus.
How would you proceed with the workup of this patient, to determine the cause of her bleeding and tailor management accordingly?
Structural AUB: The “PALM” mnemonic
A structural cause of AUB must be considered when you encounter an abnormality on physical exam (TABLE 1).3 In obese women or other patients in whom the physical exam is difficult, historical clues—including postcoital bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding, or pelvic pain or pressure—also suggest a structural abnormality.4
Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) is the initial method of evaluation when a structural abnormality is suspected.1,4 However, although TVUS is excellent at visualizing the myometrium, lesions within the uterine cavity can be missed. If intracavitary pathology, such as submucosal fibroids or endometrial polyps, is suspected, additional imaging with saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) should be performed. If a cavitary abnormality is confirmed, hysteroscopy is indicated.1 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is reserved for cases in which a uterine cavity abnormality is found on TVUS but cannot be further characterized by SIS or hysteroscopy.1
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