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What Causes Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding When Suffering From Ovarian Cyst?
Posted on
Sat, 31 Jan 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 31 Jan 2015
Answered on
Mon, 2 Mar 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Sure. Thanks. I have had a recent sonography/ultra sound of pelvis to follow up on previous which indicated small cyst on ovary and in uterus. I've completed my family. My cycles are (since August) running from 25-17 days apart. Bleeding has been very heavy since I was about 36, I don't take prescription hormones or birth control at this time and haven't since my early/mid twenties. I am 41, in the past few years the heavy bleeding (extremely heavy) has gone from a few times a year to most of my cycles. They are now worrisome as they've begun to come closer together (used to be a clear 26-28 days apart, now most come 22ish days apart, with the last 3 at 22, 22, and 17) and the heaviness does interfere somewhat with my life's usual routines. As a teenager, I had long, sporadically lengthed and heavy (but not extremely like now) periods. I have one son, I had fibroid while carrying him and a tilted uterus. None of these interfered with conception or delivery in any way. The cysts/fibroids are small and appear to come and go (perhaps with cycles). I've had 3 out of the last 4 paps come back irregular and have had 2 colposcopies and one biopsy--all showing normal. I guess my question is what should I be talking to my gynecologist about? What questions will help me be proactive? and what could cause/stop the frequent, heavy cycles?
thanks so much
thanks so much
Brief Answer:
Most likely dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
Going through your history, I would summarize the facts as follows:
---you had heavy and lengthy periods even as a teenager.
---you did not use much of hormone contraception.
---your reproductive life was interspersed with fibroids and cysts. This shows you had a certain hormone imbalance throughout, though there was no significant impact.
---mostly unhealthy pap smears, while colposcopies and biopsy went normal.
---shortened heavy cycles in the past six months. Also, frequent heavy cycles in the past few years. This suggests the disturbance in the hormone milieu once again apart from uterine pathology.
Studying all these occurrences, it appears as though you are experiencing DUB or dysfunctional uterine bleeding, though several causes could be at stake.
I would suggest a complete hormone profile including thyroid profile, serum Prolactin levels, insulin etc. Coagulation profile is needed to look for any bleeding anomalies. Infection, general or specific, must be ruled out and so are some medications that tend to cause menstrual disturbances.
If persistent pap smears are abnormal, it would be wise to go for a LEEP procedure and/or endometrial ablation. An endometrial biopsy would help to look for abnormal endometrium.
Hormone supplements are usually given in addition to styptics and general nutrients to arrest the heavy periods and regularize them. It should also be kept in mind that you may have entered peri-menopause.
If fibroids and/or cysts are the culprits, treatment should be targeted toward them. While small cysts and fibroids can be managed conservatively and through observation, larger ones need surgical removal.
Hope your query has been clarified. Please feel free to contact for further information. I will be happy to help.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Most likely dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
Going through your history, I would summarize the facts as follows:
---you had heavy and lengthy periods even as a teenager.
---you did not use much of hormone contraception.
---your reproductive life was interspersed with fibroids and cysts. This shows you had a certain hormone imbalance throughout, though there was no significant impact.
---mostly unhealthy pap smears, while colposcopies and biopsy went normal.
---shortened heavy cycles in the past six months. Also, frequent heavy cycles in the past few years. This suggests the disturbance in the hormone milieu once again apart from uterine pathology.
Studying all these occurrences, it appears as though you are experiencing DUB or dysfunctional uterine bleeding, though several causes could be at stake.
I would suggest a complete hormone profile including thyroid profile, serum Prolactin levels, insulin etc. Coagulation profile is needed to look for any bleeding anomalies. Infection, general or specific, must be ruled out and so are some medications that tend to cause menstrual disturbances.
If persistent pap smears are abnormal, it would be wise to go for a LEEP procedure and/or endometrial ablation. An endometrial biopsy would help to look for abnormal endometrium.
Hormone supplements are usually given in addition to styptics and general nutrients to arrest the heavy periods and regularize them. It should also be kept in mind that you may have entered peri-menopause.
If fibroids and/or cysts are the culprits, treatment should be targeted toward them. While small cysts and fibroids can be managed conservatively and through observation, larger ones need surgical removal.
Hope your query has been clarified. Please feel free to contact for further information. I will be happy to help.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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