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Auricular Point Acupressure Therapy: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Postsurgical Abortion Recovery

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Classification of menstrual bleeding disorders.

Malcolm G Munro¹

¹Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Kaiser Permanente, Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA. mmunro@ucla.edu

Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders

|August 2, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in reproductive-aged women has many causes. The new FIGO PALM-COEIN classification system provides standardized terminology for evaluating AUB causes and symptoms.

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Area of Science:

Reproductive endocrinology and gynecology
Medical classification systems

Background:

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in nonpregnant, reproductive-aged women presents a diagnostic challenge due to a wide spectrum of potential causes.
These causes range from intrauterine pathologies like polyps and leiomyomas to systemic coagulopathies, often occurring concurrently and asymptomatically.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce the Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique (FIGO) PALM-COEIN classification system for causes of AUB.
To provide standardized terminology for normal menstruation and AUB symptoms.
To aid clinicians, researchers, and educators in evaluating and understanding AUB.

Main Methods:

Description of the FIGO PALM-COEIN classification system.
Review of standardized terminology for menstruation and AUB.

Main Results:

The PALM-COEIN system categorizes AUB causes into: Polyp, Adenomyosis, Leiomyoma, Malignancy and hyperplasia (PALM), and Coagulopathy, Ovulatory disorder, Endometrial, Iatrogenic, Not yet classified (COEIN).
Standardized definitions for menstrual and AUB symptoms are presented.

Conclusions:

The FIGO PALM-COEIN classification offers a structured approach to diagnosing AUB.
Standardized terminology facilitates clearer communication and research in AUB.
This system supports clinical practice, research design, and medical education regarding AUB.