Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Aug:162 Suppl 2:43-57.
doi: 10.1002/ijgo.14947.

Therapeutic options for the management of abnormal uterine bleeding

Affiliations

Therapeutic options for the management of abnormal uterine bleeding

Becky MacGregor et al. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

Just as the investigation of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is approached systematically using the two FIGO systems for AUB in the reproductive years, treatment options can be considered similarly. Therapeutic options fall into two categories-medical and surgical-and while medical management is typically regarded as first-line therapy, there are several exceptions defined by the presenting cause or causes, mainly when infertility is a concurrent issue. In the early 1990s, up to 60% of women underwent a hysterectomy for the symptom of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), but this figure has decreased. The number of women undergoing a hysterectomy for benign disorders continues to decline, along with an increase in hysterectomies performed using minimally invasive techniques. Discussions about therapeutic options are tailored to the individual patient, and we include the risks and benefits of each option, including no management, to enable the patient to make an informed choice. The different types of treatment options and the factors affecting decision-making are considered in this article.

Keywords: GnRH agonists/antagonists; fibroids; leiomyoma; myomectomy; radiological treatments; sex steroids; treatment.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

REFERENCES

    1. National Institute for health and care excellence. Heavy menstrual bleeding: assessment and management. NICE Guideline [NG88]. 2018.
    1. Cromwell DA, Mahmood TA, Templeton A, van der Meulen JH. Surgery for menorrhagia within English regions: variation in rates of endometrial ablation and hysterectomy. BJOG. 2009;116:1373-1379.
    1. Munro MG, Critchley HOD, Fraser IS, Committee FMD. The two FIGO systems for normal and abnormal uterine bleeding symptoms and classification of causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in the reproductive years: 2018 revisions. Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2018;143:393-408.
    1. Jain V, Munro MG, Critchley HOD. Contemporary evaluation of women and girls with abnormal uterine bleeding: FIGO systems 1 and 2. Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2023;162(Suppl. 2):29-42.
    1. Auerbach M. Optimizing diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in women and girls of reproductive age: clinical opinion. Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2023;162(Suppl. 2):68-77.

LinkOut - more resources