Abnormal Uterine Bleeding^[*]

Abstract

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a frequent condition in Gynecology. It may impact physical, emotional sexual and professional aspects of the lives of women, impairing their quality of life. In cases of acute and severe bleeding, women may need urgent treatment with volumetric replacement and prescription of hemostatic substances. In some specific cases with more intense and prolonged bleeding, surgical treatment may be necessary. The objective of this chapter is to describe the main evidence on the treatment of women with abnormal uterine bleeding, both acute and chronic. Didactically, the treatment options were based on the current International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification system (PALM-COEIN). The etiologies of PALM-COEIN are: uterine Polyp (P), Adenomyosis (A), Leiomyoma (L), precursor and Malignant lesions of the uterine body (M), Coagulopathies (C), Ovulatory dysfunction (O), Endometrial dysfunction (E), Iatrogenic (I), and Not yet classified (N). The articles were selected according to the recommendation grades of the PubMed, Cochrane and Embase databases, and those in which the main objective was the reduction of uterine menstrual bleeding were included. Only studies written in English were included. All editorial or complete papers that were not consistent with abnormal uterine bleeding, or studies in animal models, were excluded. The main objective of the treatment is the reduction of menstrual flow and morbidity and the improvement of quality of life. It is important to emphasize that the treatment in the acute phase aims to hemodynamically stabilize the patient and stop excessive bleeding, while the treatment in the chronic phase is based on correcting menstrual dysfunction according to its etiology and clinical manifestations. The treatment may be surgical or pharmacological, and the latter is based mainly on hormonal therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and antifibrinolytics.

Resumo

O sangramento uterino anormal é uma afecção frequente que pode afetar negativamente aspectos físicos, emocionais, sexuais e profissionais, piorando a qualidade de vida das mulheres. Nos casos de sangramento intenso e agudo, as mulheres podem necessitar de tratamento de urgência, com reposição volumétrica e substâncias hemostáticas. Há situações que necessitam de tratamento prolongado, e ainda situações em que o tratamento cirúrgico pode ser necessário. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever as principais evidências sobre o tratamento das mulheres com sangramento uterino anormal, tanto na fase aguda quanto na crônica. A apresentação do tratamento foi baseada no sistema de classificação (PALM-COEIN, na sigla em inglês) da Federação Internacional de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia (FIGO). As etiologias do PALM-COEIN são: Pólipo uterino (P), Adenomiose (A), Leiomiomia (L), lesões precursoras e Malignas do corpo uterino (M), Coagulopatias (C), distúrbios da Ovulação (O), disfunção Endometrial (E), Iatrogênicas (I), e não classificadas nos itens anteriores (N). Os artigos foram selecionados conforme os graus de recomendação das bases de dados PubMed, Cochrane e Embase que tivessem como objetivo o tratamento do sangramento uterino anormal em mulheres. Somente artigos escritos em inglês foram incluídos. Todos os editoriais ou papers completos que não tratassem de sangramento uterino anormal, ou estudos baseados em modelos animais, foram excluídos. O tratamento tem como objetivo a redução do fluxo menstrual, reduzindo morbidade e melhorando a qualidade de vida. O tratamento na fase aguda visa estabilizar hemodinamicamente a paciente e estancar o sangramento excessivo, enquanto a terapia da fase crônica é baseada na correção da disfunção menstrual, conforme sua etiologia ou conforme a manifestação clínica. O tratamento pode ser cirúrgico ou medicamentoso, sendo o segundo baseado principalmente em fármacos hormonais, anti-inflamatórios ou antifibrinolíticos.

Keywords

PALM-COEIN - abnormal uterine bleeding - heavy menstrual bleeding - dysfunctional uterine bleeding - menorrhagia

Palavras-Chave

PALM-COEIN - sangramento uterino anormal - sangramento menstrual excessivo - hemorragia uterina disfuncional - menorragia

^* This revision is part of the Series, Guidelines and Recommendations of the Federação Brasileira das Associações de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia – FEBRASGO, elaborated by the Specialized National Committees in Endocrine Gynecology.

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