Hysteroscopy in evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding

One-third of all gynaecological consultations are because of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). This proportion rises to more than 2/3rd when peri & post menopausal women are considered. In normal to 12 week size uteri, the cause of abnormal bleeding often remains obscure. OBJECTIVES (S): Clinical and hysteroscopic evaluation of the cervical canal & uterine cavity of 100 women with AUB to evaluate various causes of AUB in the study population. METHOD (S): 100 women with AUB and uterine size normal to 12 weeks pregnancy were subjected to clinical & hysteroscopic examination. The cause of bleeding was evaluated.

Menorrhagia (30%), menometrorrhagia (16%), oligomenorrhea (16%) and postmenopausal bleeding (2%) were some of the indications for hysteroscopy. Intrauterine pathology was diagnosed in 74% of cases. Hyperplastic endometrium (30%) and mucus polypi (28%) were the most frequent findings. 13% of the cases had multiple finding. A surprising 7% had IUCD in their uteri without their knowledge, while bony spicules was found in 1 patient. Both patients with post menopausal bleeding had atrophic endometrium. CONCLUSION (S): Hysteroscopy can be easily learnt. It gives a clue to diagnosis in AUB and can reduce the burden of hysterectomy in many cases which can be treated by simple procedures.