Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Dysfunctional (dis-FUNGK-shun-al) uterine (U-ter-in) bleeding is abnormal uterine bleeding that is caused by a problem with your hormones. It may also be called "DUB". With DUB, you may bleed lightly or spot between periods. Your monthly periods may last longer or shorter, and bleeding may be heavier or lighter than usual. Some women have DUB after going through menopause. Menopause is the time when a woman stops having periods and cannot get pregnant anymore. Women over 45 years old, teenagers, and women who are overweight are more likely to get DUB.
  
  
• Caregivers will do a pelvic exam to check your vagina, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Caregivers may need to do special tests such as a hysteroscopy (his-ter-AH-skoh-pee), biopsy, ultrasound, or blood tests. Treatment for DUB may include using certain medicines. You may also need special procedures or surgery.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Use vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him about any medicine allergies, and if you want to quit taking or change your medicine.
  
  
• Hormones: These medicines help to decrease your bleeding by making your monthly periods more regular. This medicine may be given as an oral contraceptive (kon-trah-SEP-tiv), or birth control pills.
  
  
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine: This family of medicine is also called NSAIDS. Nonsteroidal (non-ster-OID-al) anti-inflammatory (an-te-in-FLAM-ah-tohr-ee) medicine decreases pain and uterine bleeding. This medicine can be bought with or without a doctor's order. Always follow your caregiver's advice for taking this medicine. Do not take aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin. Aspirin may make the bleeding worse.
  
  
• Iron medicine: Bleeding a lot may cause you to lose iron. This may make you feel tired all the time. Replacing the iron can make you feel better. Taking iron may make you constipated (KON-stih-pay-ted). Constipation is when you pass hard bowel movements (BMs) or have few BMs. Ask your caregiver for ways to avoid or treat constipation. Iron may also make your BMs turn dark or black.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

How should I take care of myself at home?

• Balance rest and exercise. If you need to change pads or tampons more than once every two hours, rest in bed until your bleeding slows. You may have a heavier flow of blood when you get up after being in a lying down position.
  
  
• Keep a supply of tampons and pads with you all the time. If you are having heavy bleeding, wear both a tampon and a pad at the same time. Ask your caregiver if you should wear double tampons or double pads. Keep extra tampons and pads in your purse or pocket. Change your tampons and pads often to avoid blood leakage onto your clothing.
  
  
• Use heat for pain and cramps. Use a heating pad (turned on low), a hot water bottle, or sit in a warm water bath. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes out of every hour as long as you need it. Do not sleep on the heating pad or hot water bottle. Doing this may cause a bad burn.
  
  
• Eat a healthy diet. Eat a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. Eat foods that are high in iron. Examples of high iron foods are leafy green vegetables, meat, liver, eggs, and whole-grain breads and cereals.
  
  
• Do not try to lose weight until the abnormal bleeding has stopped. The amount of iron in your blood should be normal before losing weight. Talk to your caregiver before starting a weight loss program.
  
  
• Learn to control stress. Stress may make your uterine bleeding worse. Since it is hard to avoid stress, learn to control it. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing, meditation, exercise, relaxing muscles, music, and biofeedback. Talk to someone about things that upset you.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You need to change your sanitary pad or tampon more than once an hour.
  
  
• Your medicine causes you to be nauseated (upset stomach), vomit (throw up), or have diarrhea.
  
  
• You have any problems that may be related to the medicine you are taking. Problems may include a rash, dizziness, or swelling.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You continue to bleed heavily, feel faint, or do faint (lose consciousness).
  
  
• You have trouble breathing after taking your medicine.
  
  
• You have a fever.

Learn more about Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (Discharge Care)