ABSTRACT
Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is an “umbrella” term that describes a collection of extremely common complaints for women in the reproductive years, the result of any or a combination of a spectrum of potential disorders. The symptoms can range from heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding to that which is unpredictable in timing, duration, and rate of flow. Women may also suffer from episodes of acute uterine bleeding, unrelated to pregnancy, which can be severe enough to require urgent or emergent interventions. Postmenopausal bleeding is also a symptom, but one that occurs in women following the cessation of ovarian function. Unfortunately, the definition of menopause, based upon 12 months of amenorrhea, is confounded in women who have had hysterectomy or endometrial ablation, or even those with absent ovulatory, circumstances that the clinician must consider when evaluating patients.
