The document discusses abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in two patients: Mrs. Aisha, a 48-year-old teacher with heavy menstrual bleeding, and Miss Heba, a 16-year-old school girl presenting with similar symptoms. It examines various causes, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options for AUB, highlighting the importance of understanding individual factors when determining management strategies. Progestagens are emphasized as an effective treatment for anovulatory causes of heavy menstrual bleeding, with the need for ongoing assessment and tailored care.

1. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding…
The Way Out
Amr Nadim, MSc, DUE,MD
Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology
and Reproductive Health
Ain Shams Faculty of Medicine

2. It’s about two ladies

3. Patient Profile: Mrs. Aisha
Presenting patient
• Mrs. Aisha, 48 year old school teacher,
presenting with heavy bleeding during
menstruation
• Her general health is otherwise good
Medical Chart
Medical History Regular Menstrual cycle et it is now
coming at 40-45 days intervals
Bleeding is becoming heavy and
prolonged
Social History Fatigue with impact on her work and
QOL
Current Medication None
Adapted from Abnormal Uterine bleeding in a Healthy 48-year old : Knowing the right questions to ask. Peter HM Van De Weijer accessed at http://mp.peervoice.com/player/23145/51/1#3

4. Patient Profile: Heba
Presenting patient
• Miss Heba is 16. She is G11 school girl,
presenting with heavy bleeding on a background
of sparse menstruation
•She a bit overweight with a BMI of 31
•She complains of acne a generalized increase
of her body hair
Medical Chart
Medical History • Menarche was at the age of 14
• Cycles were regular for about 6
months than they started to be there
for only 3 times a year.
• Bleeding is becoming heavy and
prolonged
Social History Annoyed because of acne, increased
body hair and failing to loose weight.
Current Medication None

5. Making the point about definitions
Menorrhagia The symptom of heavy menstrual bleeding; a term
specifically used to describe ovulatory bleeding
(that is, a normal, regular, and predictable cycle
ranging from 21 to 35 days, most often 28 days).
Metrorrhagia The symptom of bleeding between
menstrual periods; the
unpredictable timing of the flow
generally reflects anovulation.
Menometrorrhagia The symptom of heavy bleeding
between menstrual periods.
Heavy Menstrual
Bleeding
Menstrual bleeding that may be
Bleeding either Ovulatory (menorrhagia) or Anovulatory
Breakthrough
Bleeding
Bleeding that occurs despite the use of drugs such as
oral contraceptives that are given to control uterine
bleeding.
Chronic Acute Intermenstrual
Abnormal bleeding in
volume, regularity and/or
timing which has been there
for up to 6 month
An episode of HMB that is
judged severe enough to
require IMMEDIATE
intervention to prevent
further loss
Bleeding occurring between
predictable menses whether
predictable or randomly
occurring

6. YOU Will Have To Decide…
Amount
Duration
Timing

7. A menstrual Calendar is Mandatory

8. What is the prevalence of heavy menstrual
bleeding in women of reproductive age?
A. 1 in 3
B. 1 in 5
C. 1 in 10
D. 1 in 20
Adapted from Abnormal Uterine bleeding in a Healthy 48-year old : Knowing the right questions to ask. Peter HM Van De Weijer accessed at http://mp.peervoice.com/player/23145/51/1#3
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9. Prevalence 20% of women in the
reproductive age
Burden
•20-30% of all Gynecologic
visits
•25% of all gynecologic
surgeries
Adapted from Abnormal Uterine bleeding in a Healthy 48-year old : Knowing the right questions to ask. Peter HM Van De Weijer accessed at http://mp.peervoice.com/player/23145/51/1#3

10. “The key to optimum
management of a patient
with
HMB, is to understand
the mechanism, the
pathogenesis, and all the
factors
involved in the problem.
This will help defining
which appropriate
Investigations are needed
and will allow one to tailor
therapy to individuals, and
with a
fairly successful
outcome.”

12. Absence of progestational effects in anovulatory cycles
UNPREDICTABLE BLEEDING
Progesterone Effects
Secretory transformation
Stabilizing the extracellular matrix by inhibiting proteases
Enhancing hemostasis

13. Jabbour et al. Endocrine regulation of menstruation. Endocrine Reviews 2005

14. A Woman Presenting with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Take Full History and Perform Examination and Order CBC
No structural or histological anomalies
suspected
There is a possible structure or histological
anomaly
Abnormal Bleeding..Making the
Diagnosis
No
abnormalities or
a fibroid <3 cm.
Consider
Endometrial
Biopsy
Uterus is enlarged
Abdominal/Pelvic .
Consider Imaging /
Hysteroscopy
No abnormalities or a
fibroid <3 cm.
Consider Medical
Treatment
Provide Information and Discuss
Treatment Options
Adapted from Abnormal Uterine bleeding in a Healthy 48-year old : Knowing the right questions to ask. Peter HM Van De Weijer accessed at http://mp.peervoice.com/player/23145/51/1#3

15. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Diagnostic Tools
Reproduced from Abnormal Uterine bleeding in a Healthy 48-year old : Knowing the right questions to ask. Peter HM Van De Weijer accessed at

16. Patient Profile: Mrs. Aisha
Presenting patient
• Age of Menarche 14
•Menstrual pattern Bleeding 10/45 , heavy loss
•Medications or related medical illness None
•Evidence of bleeding disorder None
•Is it a bothersome condition Yes
Test Results
Pregnancy test Negative
CBC - Thyroid Function Normal
TVS No structural anomalies
Endometrial Thickness 8mm
Pipelle Biopsy Irregular shedding, No malignancy
Adapted from Abnormal Uterine bleeding in a Healthy 48-year old : Knowing the right questions to ask. Peter HM Van De Weijer accessed at http://mp.peervoice.com/player/23145/51/1#3

17. Patient Profile: Heba
Patient History
Age of Menarche 14
Menstrual Cycle pattern 10-15 days / 60-90 days
Medications or related medical condition None
Signs / Symptoms of any bleeding dyscrasias None
Affecting her quality of life Yes, school and social life
Test Results
Pregnancy test Negative
CBC - Thyroid Function-PL Normal
FSH 5 mIU/ml
LH 13 mIU/ml
Teststerone and DHEAS Within average limits for gender
TAS No structural anomalies of the uterus.
Both ovaries PCO like
Endometrial Thickness 18mm

18. What is the most likely cause for Mrs.
Aisha bleeding based on her history and
investigations?
A. Bleeding disorder
B. Anovulation
C. Submucous myoma
D. Atypical complex Hyperplasia
Adapted from Abnormal Uterine bleeding in a Healthy 48-year old : Knowing the right questions to ask. Peter HM Van De Weijer accessed at http://mp.peervoice.com/player/23145/51/1#3
51015

19. What is the most likely cause for Heba
bleeding pattern based on her history and
investigations?
A. Bleeding disorder
B. Anovulation
C. Submucous myoma
D. Atypical complex Hyperplasia
51015

20. Etiologies
• Systemic
• Reproductive Tract
• Iatrogenic
Organic
• Ovulatory
• AnovulatoryDysfunctional

21. Updates from FIGO, 2011

22. Munro MG, et al, FIGO classification system (PALM-COEIN) for causes of
abnormal uterine bleeding in nongravid women of reproductive age, Int J
Gynecol Obstet (2011)
Structural Non-Structural
FIGO System for AUB, 2011

23. Frequency
Regularity
Duration
Volume

24. Endometrial disorders (AUB-E)
• Cyclic menstrual bleeding, typical of ovulatory cycles
• Heavy menstrual bleeding by deficient local hemostasis
• Prolonged bleeding by deficient endometrial repair
Ovulatory dysfunction (AUB-O)
• Highly variable bleeding pattern, unpredictable timing, oligomenorrhea
or menorrhagia
Hormonal imbalance causes dysfunctional bleeding (DUB)
• Absence of cyclic progesterone production from corpus luteum
• “Luteal out-of-phase” events
Diagnosis often determined by exclusion
FIGO - AUB
Absence of Structural Abnormalities
Munro MG, et al. Int J Gynecol Obstet 2011; 113(1): 3-13.

25. COEIN: Ovulatory
Anovulation Hypothyroidism
Luteal Phase Defect

27. COEIN: Ovulatory
Anovulatory Bleeding
 Anovulatory bleeding
Age-related: peri-menarche, perimenopause
Estrogenic: unopposed endogenous estrogen
Androgenic: PCOS; CAH, acute stress
Systemic: Renal disease, liver disease
 Is a Diagnosis of exclusion
Menometrorrhagia not caused by anatomic lesion,
medications, pregnancy

28. COEIN: Ovulatory
Low T4 high TRH  high TSH  normal T4
high PRL amenorrhea + galactorrhea
Hypothyroidism
 Bleeding can be excessive, light, or irregular
 Only severe, uncorrected thyroid disease
causes abnormal bleeding patterns
 Normal pattern when corrected to euthyroid
Primary hypothyroidism is associated with
Secondary amenorrhea

29. COEIN: Ovulatory
Luteal Phase Defect (LPD)
Luteal phase lasts 7-10 days (vs. 14 days) or
inadequate peak luteal phase progesterone
Diagnosis
Polymenorrhea (periods every 2 weeks)
Mid-luteal phase P level between 4-8 ng/ml
Endometrial biopsy >2 days out of phase
Management
Unexplained infertility: clomiphene, P supplement
Pregnancy not desired: observation or COCs

30. How should Mrs. Aisha be treated ?
A. Hysteroscopy/Dilatation and curettage
B. Endometrial Ablation
C. Progestagens
D. Hysterectomy
Adapted from Abnormal Uterine bleeding in a Healthy 48-year old : Knowing the right questions to ask. Peter HM Van De Weijer accessed at http://mp.peervoice.com/player/23145/51/1#3
51015

31. First : Pharmacologic Therapy
Should be offered before surgical therapy
Hormonal causes are amenable to
hormonal manipulation
Therapy choice depends on
Degree of bleeding
Women’s age
Need for contraception
Drug adverse effect profile
Pharmacologic treatment proposed
Progestagens high dose for 10 days
Tranexamic acid / Epsilon Amino Caproic
Acid
Second : Consider Surgical
Intervention
If Pharmacologic therapy fails consider
emergency surgical options:
Uterine Foley Baloon 30 ml saline
Uterine irrigation by aminocaproic acid
Curettage
Endometrial ablation
Hysterectomy
Adapted from Abnormal Uterine bleeding in a Healthy 48-year old : Knowing the right questions to ask. Peter HM Van De Weijer accessed at http://mp.peervoice.com/player/23145/51/1#3

32. Pharmacologic Therapy: Choices
Progestagen,
High Dose
10 days
Progestagen, Low Dose
(10 -14 days/cycle)
Combined Oral
Contraceptive Pills
Dydrogesterone
MPA
Lynestrenol
Norethindrone
Medrogestone
Levonorgestrel
Drosperinone
Desogestrel
Adapted from Abnormal Uterine bleeding in a Healthy 48-year old : Knowing the right questions to ask. Peter HM Van De Weijer accessed at http://mp.peervoice.com/player/23145/51/1#3

33. How should Heba be treated?
A. Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills
B. Endometrial Ablation
C. Progestagens
D. Curettage
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34. Pharmacologic Therapy:
Patient Factors Influencing the Choices
Reproduced from Abnormal Uterine bleeding in a Healthy 48-year old : Knowing the right questions to ask. Peter HM Van De Weijer accessed at

35. The Choice of a Progestagen
Progesterone Retroprogesterone
Progesterone Dydrogesterone
Progesterone Derivatives Testosterone Derivatives
17-OH-progesterone
Derivates
19-progesterone
Derivatives
19-nortestosterone Derivatives
Pregnane
• Hydroxyprogesterone
Caproate
• Hydroxyprogesterone
Heptanoate
• Gestonorone Caproate
• Chlormadinone Acetate
• Medrogestone
• Medroxyprogesterone
Acetate
• Cyproterone Acetate
Nor-Pregnane
• Nomegestrole Acetate
• Demegestone
• Promegestone
• Nestorone
• Trimegestone
Estranes
• Lynestrenol
• Levonorgestrel
• Norethisterone
• Norethisterone Acetate
• Ethinodiol Diacetate
• Norgestrienone
• Dienogest
Gonanes
• Norgestrel
• Desogestrel
• Gestodene
• Norgestimate
Spirolactone
Derivative
Drospirenone
Adapted from: Druckmann R. Journal Für Menopause. 2002:1-5.

36. • Dydrogesterone is a retroprogesterone, a steroisomer of progesterone, with
an additional double-bond between carbon 6 and 71
• Dydrogesterone, shaped by light, enhances the progestogenic
effects
• No estrogenic, androgenic, or glucocorticoid effects2
• Does not inhibit ovulation, at normal dosage2
• Anti-androgenic potential of dydrogesterone is less pronounced compared to
progesterone3
Dydrogesterone – a Unique Retrosteroid
1. Kuhl H. Climacteric 2005; 8 (Suppl 1): 3–63.
2. Schindler AE. Maturitas 2009; 65S: S3–S11.
3. Rižner TL et al. Steroids. 2011;76(6):607–15.
Progesterone Dydrogesterone

37. Receptor Binding of Progestogens1
1. Adapted from: Schindler AE, et al. Maturitas 2009; 65(Suppl 1): S3-S11.
2. Rižner TL, et al. Steroids. 2011; 76(6): 607-615.
• Anti-androgenic potential of dydrogesterone and DHD is less pronounced compared to
progesterone2

38. Lockwood CJ. Menopause 2011; 18(4): 408-411.
Progestagens Simply Improve The Endometrial Characteristics
Stops estrogen-induced growth of the endometrium
 Stabilizes endometrial vasculature and blocks unrestricted
vessel growth
 Initiates the clotting cascade
 Hemostatic and anti-fibrinolytic action (PAI-1 pathway)
 Inhibits matrix metallo-proteinase activity

39. Regulating withdrawal Bleeding
Reproduced from Abnormal Uterine bleeding in a Healthy 48-year old : Knowing the right questions to ask. Peter HM Van De Weijer accessed at

40. Acute Heavy Blood Loss
High dose Progestagens
( Norethisteron 5 mg 2-3 times X 10 days)
or 4 tabs OC during 5 days
± tranexamic acid 1-1.5 g tds
or ( curettage )
Adapted from Peter van de Weijer, Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding, 2010

41. Surgical Therapy For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Caused By Structural Abnormalities
Transvaginal Ultrasound
or
Any imaging Modality
Uterine Myoma
Or
Adenomyosis
No Intrauterine
Pathology
Surgical Management
Myomectomy
Embolization
Hysterectomy
Endometrial Ablation
Adapted from Abnormal Uterine bleeding in a Healthy 48-year old : Knowing the right questions to ask. Peter HM Van De Weijer accessed at http://mp.peervoice.com/player/23145/51/1#3

42. Patient Treatment and Follow-Up: Mrs. Aisha
Treatment
 since anovulation is the most likely cause, Mrs. Aisha was
given a progestagen from day 5 to 25 of her menstrual cycle
for three cycles.
She agreed to try this medication for at least 3 months.
Follow-up
 Responded well to treatment.
Withdrawal bleed lasted for 5 days after 3 months
Heavy clots ceased
Feels full of energy again
Understands that there is no need for surgical
intervention
Adapted from Abnormal Uterine bleeding in a Healthy 48-year old : Knowing the right questions to ask. Peter HM Van De Weijer accessed at http://mp.peervoice.com/player/23145/51/1#3

43. Patient Treatment and Follow-Up: Heba
Treatment
 since anovulation is the most likely cause, Mrs. Aisha was
given a progestagen from day 5 to 25 of her menstrual cycle
for three cycles.
She agreed to try this medication for at least 3 months.
Follow-up
 Responded well to treatment.
Withdrawal bleed lasted for 5 days after 3 months
Heavy clots ceased
She enrolled for group therapy to reduce weight
and exercise
Understands that in 2 years she may start using
COCs which will help her control acne and
hirsutism

44. Coming to an end…
• Abnormal uterine bleeding is a rather common
presentation. It is met with among 1 out of 5
women in the reproductive age.
• FIGO updated classification of the causes of
bleeding helps to ask the right questions, chose
the proper investigations and tailor treatment for
a particular patient

45. • Progestagens act by stabilizing the endometrium
and promoting endometrial repair.
• Choosing the proper progestagen will help in
treating the condition while maintaining a high level
of compliance by minimizing the side effects.
• Treatment should be continued for at least 3
months to bring the endometrium back to its
normal pattern

46. It’s been about two ladies…