Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding(DUB)

© Dr Vandana Patni 2008

There may be many causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding in reproductive age(16 years to 45 years) of woman's life.When there is no other organic or structural cause of this vaginal bleeding is detected, then it is known as Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding(DUB) . DUB is most common cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding . DUB is an abnormal uterine bleeding caused by hormonal imbalance. In most cases of Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding menstrual cycles remain anovulatory-it means egg does not develop or released from ovaries .


Indicated Homeopathic Medicines for Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding.

Causes of dysfunctional uterine bleeding



Causes Related To Hormone Producing Glands (Endocrine)
A.Cushing's disease - A disease of Adrenal Gland
B.Immature hypothalamin-pituitary axis
C.Hyperprolacinemia
D.Hypothyroidism
E.Menopause
F.Obesity
G.Polycystic ovary disease
H.Premature ovarian failure

Causes Related to Organs

A. Adenomyosis -tumor of muscles of uterus.
B. Coagulopathies -(disorder of blood coagulation process) - in cases of serious Liver Diseases.
C. Condyloma acuminata
D. Cancer of the cervix or vagina (dysplastic or malignant lesion )
E. Endometriosis
F. Endometrial cancer (endometrium is innermost layer of uterus)
G. Uterine or cervical polyps
H. Uterine leiomyomata
I. Trauma- injury

Causes Related to Infections

A. Chlamydia
B. Gonorrhea
C. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease(PID)

Causes Related to Medications

A. Hormonal agents
B. Medicines Used as birth control method(for Contraception)


1.Low-dose oral contraceptive pills (OCPs)
2.Nonprogestin-containing IUDs -IUD means Intra Uterine Device like Copper-T.
3.Norplant System
4.Progestin-only contraceptive (the "mini pill")


C. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) - like Brufen.
D.Tamoxifen
E.Warfarin

Other Causes

A.Incomplete abortion
B.Pregnancy complications
C.High Blood Pressure(Hypertension)
D.Diabetes Mellitus
E.Leukemia-blood cancer


How Patient may Present


Abnormal vaginal bleeding has several patterns:- 
• Menorrhagia - Prolonged (>7 day) or excessive (>80 mL daily) uterine bleeding occurring at regular intervals.
• Metrorrhagia - Uterine bleeding occurring at irregular and more frequent than normal intervals.
• Menometrorrhagia - Prolonged or excessive uterine bleeding occurring at irregular and more frequent than normal intervals.
• Inter menstrual bleeding (spotting) - Uterine bleeding of variable amounts occurring between regular menstrual periods .
• Polymenorrhea - Uterine bleeding occurring at regular intervals of less than 21 days.
• Oligomenorrhea - Uterine bleeding occurring at intervals of 35 days to 6 months.
• Amenorrhea - No uterine bleeding for 6 months or longer.

Laboratory Tests

Testing should be individualized based on each patient's history and physical findings. Not all the following tests are necessary for every patient of DUB.


Urine pregnancy test
CBC -Complete Blood Count
PT/PTT
Pap smear
FSH -Follicular Stimulating hormone
Liver function tests
TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Prolactin level
DHEAS


Diagnostic Test

1.Endometrial Biopsy
2.Uterine Ultrasound
3.Dilatation and curettage (D&C)
4.Hysteroscopy

Treatment



Conventional Treatment

Medication, surgical procedures and mixture of both used in different cases according the severity and need of patient.


1.Medical Part- Estrogen,Progesterone hormones and Non-Steroidal Anti inflammatory Drugs(NSAIDs) are used.
2.Surgical Part- Dilatation and Curettage(D&C), Hysteroscopic Resection of Endometrium, Hysterectomy(removal of Uterus) are few procedures which are used according the need of each case.



Homeopathic Treatment

Homeopathy has more than 200 medicines for different pattern of vaginal bleeding. Homeopathic medicines are prescribed according individual case history and sign/symptoms of patient. All the different pattern of abnormal hemorrhage can be treated successfully by using homeopathic medicines. Acute cases of vaginal hemorrhage can be treated successfully by these medicines.


Homeopathic Medicines not only check bleeding but also eradicate the actual cause of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Most of the cases of DUB can be cured permanently by regular homeopathic treatment. Opting homeopathy is a better alternate to surgery and hormonal treatments.