Dysfunctional uterine bleeding: from adolescence to menopause

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is defined as excessive or prolonged uterine bleeding in premenopausal women that is not caused by pelvic pathology, medications, systemic disease or pregnancy. It is a common condition that can lead not only to physical symptoms such as iron deficiency, anaemia, cramps and fatigue, but also has significant psychological and social effects that impair a woman's quality of life. Progesterone is highly important in the regulation of menstrual bleeding and a progesterone-deficient anovulatory state is a common cause of DUB. There are a wide range of treatment options available including hormonal therapies (oral cyclical progestogens, depot progestogens, progestogen-releasing intrauterine devices, combined oral contraceptives, danazol, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues and hormone replacement therapy), non-hormonal therapies (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antifibrinolytic drugs) and surgery (hysterectomy and endometrial ablation). The choice of appropriate therapy should be based on factors such as the mechanism behind the DUB, which symptoms are most problematic, and the woman's need for fertility or contraception. However, there is currently a lack of clinical evidence to help support these decisions.