Investigation and management of abnormal uterine bleeding in reproductive-aged women: a descriptive review of national and international recommendations

Occult endometrial cancer in women undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications: a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary hospital in China

PURPOSE

To evaluate the feasibility of further reducing the incidence of occult endometrial cancer in women undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynecological indications.

METHODS

Patients who underwent hysterectomies for presumed benign gynecologic conditions at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively identified. Patients with occult endometrial cancer, which was defined as endometrial cancer diagnosed on postoperative histopathology with no preoperative confirmed malignancy, were selected.

RESULTS

24/7558 (0.32%; 95% CI 0.20-0.47%) patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications had occult endometrial cancer. Asymptomatic patients with normal endometrial imaging all tended to have favorable pathology. Heavy menstrual bleeding was the most overlooked AUB pattern in the premenopausal group. In the postmenopausal group, all the patients with serous adenocarcinoma or G3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma histology/stage T1b disease/LVSI space invasion had a history of persistent or recurrent PMB ≥ 6 months and/or an intracavitary lesion > 20 mm in diameter. 3/4 of the samples of the postmenopausal patients did not have adequate endometrium for evaluation.

CONCLUSION

To further reduce the incidence of occult endometrial cancer, physicians should focus on the patient's bleeding pattern and actively implement endometrial sampling whenever indicated. Transvaginal ultrasonography is a valuable preoperative evaluation. Hysteroscopy with directed biopsy is the preferred procedure in postmenopausal patients.

Management of abnormal uterine bleeding on anticoagulation: the patient-clinician perspective

Bleeding is a well-recognized side effect of anticoagulant therapy, which is used to treat venous thromboembolism (VTE) in individuals of all ages, including those of female sex, who commonly experience VTE as a complication of hormonal therapies and/or pregnancy. Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is also extremely common in reproductive-aged individuals of female sex. Despite these overlapping situations, relatively little attention has been paid to the impact of anticoagulant-associated HMB on treatment strategies and the patient experience. In this review, we summarize incidence and complications of HMB in anticoagulated individuals as well as management strategies for HMB in this population. We also address the patient experience, including the impact of HMB on quality of life and the impact of discontinuing hormonal therapies at the time of VTE diagnosis and anticoagulant initiation. We conclude by highlighting specific gaps related to the patient experience of anticoagulant-associated HMB in both the research and clinical settings.

Efficacy of Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System in the Management of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: A Retrospective Analysis of a 100 Women

Aim

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a common gynaecological complaint affecting around 10-30% women during reproductive years. It adversely affects a woman's life, leading to psychological, medical, social and sexual problems. We aim to study the efficacy of a levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in 100 women suffering from AUB.

Methodology

A retrospective study was carried out at a private nursing home in Mumbai over a period of 4 years. A total of 100 patients aged 30 years to 50 years (average age = 42.9 years) who underwent LNG-IUS insertion for abnormal uterine bleeding were studied. Cases were evaluated according to clinical findings, hemogram and transvaginal ultrasound. The women were called for follow-up at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 and 2 years to analyse type and amount of bleeding and development of amenorrhea.

Results

At the end of 6 months, 75% patients experienced decreased menstrual blood loss. Five patients underwent removal of the LNG-IUS at the end of 6 months as they experienced no relief of symptoms. At the end of 2 years, 95% patients were fully satisfied with the LNG-IUS insertion.

Conclusion

A levonorgestrel intrauterine system significantly reduces bleeding in menorrhagia due to benign causes and is found to be highly effective in the management of various gynaecological pathologies such as endometrial polyps, adenomyosis and endometrial hyperplasia when insertion perfomed after dilatation and curettage/polypectomy. It has proven to be superior to various surgical and other non-surgical treatment modalities.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for adenomyosis with abnormal uterine bleeding: clinical outcome and associated factors

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the factors affecting the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (PMWA) for adenomyosis with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB-A).

METHODS

Baseline data of patients with AUB-A who underwent US-guided PMWA treatment between October 2020 and October 2021, including demography characteristics, laboratory and imaging examination results were retrospectively analyzed. 3D reconstruction of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was applied to quantitatively assess the local treatment responses, including ratio of non-perfusion volume to adenomyosis volume (NPVr), ablation rate of the endometrial-myometrial junction (EMJ), and surface area (SA) of the ablated part of the EMJ. Patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment, and divided into two groups: group with complete relief (CR), and group with partial relief (PR) or no relief (NR). Data were compared between them.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients were analyzed with a mean age of 38.7 ± 6.8 years (range: 24-48): 48.4% (15/31), 63.3% (19/30), and 65.5% (19/29) achieved CR at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. In univariate analysis, compared with the PR/NR group, serum CA125 levels were significantly lower in CR group at 3 months, while ablation rates of EMJ and SA of the ablated part of the EMJ were significantly higher at the three time points. Other baseline characteristics and NPVr did not differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Baseline CA125 and ablation rate of the EMJ and SA of the ablated part of the EMJ are associated with the outcome of AUB-A patients after US-guided PMWA treatment.

Diagnosis and medical management of abnormal premenopausal and postmenopausal bleeding

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common reason for presentation to health-care providers: it is estimated that one woman in three will present to a care provider with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) during the reproductive years, and that at least one woman in 10 will experience postmenopausal bleeding. Although there are some variations in national guidelines for investigation, diagnosis and management of premenopausal AUB, there are far more areas of agreement than disagreement. A comprehensive literature search was undertaken to review national and international guidelines regarding investigation, diagnosis and management of AUB in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Areas of controversy are identified, and latest evidence reviewed. Although efforts to reduce hysterectomies for premenopausal AUB through medical management have largely been successful, there are areas where more research is necessary to guide optimal investigation and management. Many countries have well-defined guidelines for investigation and management of premenopausal AUB: there are fewer well-developed guidelines for investigation and management of postmenopausal bleeding. There is a paucity of evidence-based data on management of unscheduled bleeding on menopausal hormone therapy.