What is the significance of the fact that the uterine

It is important to exclude serious endometrial lesions prior to performing this procedure. Although the goal is to stop menstrual bleeding completely, most often menstrual periods simply become lighter following this procedure. Ablation should not be performed if a woman still desires future fertility. Only rarely will a hysterectomy be recommended for heavy menstrual bleeding. Disorders of the pituitary and thyroid glands can cause anovulation and menstrual irregularity.

Individuals with inadequate production of thyroid hormone hypothyroidism can be treated with daily oral replacement of thyroid hormone. Excess thyroid hormone production hyperthyroidism may be treated with oral medications, radioactive iodine, or surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland. The treatment of hyperprolactinemia excessive release of prolactin from the pituitary is generally treated with the oral medication cabergoline or bromocriptine.

Individuals with elevated levels of prolactin may be advised to have an imaging study, such as a CT scan or MRI, of the pituitary gland to determine if there is evidence of a pituitary lesion.

Pituitary adenomas are the most common benign tumors of the pituitary gland and are often associated with excessive release of prolactin. If pituitary adenomas are large, they may be treated surgically. Such lifestyle changes cause FSH and LH to be very low or close to undetectable and this may suggest a proper evaluation.

An elevated FSH level may indicate impending ovarian failure, either due to menopause or to early menopause, also known as premature ovarian failure POF. Patients with PCOS must have their therapy individualized depending upon whether their goal is restoration of fertility or regular menstruation. For individuals with irregular uterine bleeding who are not currently attempting to get pregnant, intermittent progestin therapy medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 to 10 mg orally for 12 to 14 days a month or oral contraceptives may be recommended to establish regular bleeding episodes and to reduce the risk of hyperplasia and cancer.

Estrogen and progestin together, as in OCs, may be more effective than progestin therapy alone. Women with PCOS who are attempting to get pregnant are generally treated with clomiphene citrate.

If clomiphene is ineffective, alternative treatment programs can be recommended. PCOS can be associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, acne, excess body hair hirsutism , obesity, and diabetes mellitus, so proper medical attention and treatment are important. Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common problem in women of reproductive age that usually can be corrected with surgery or medication.

Surgery may be able to correct structural causes of abnormal bleeding. If there are no structural causes, medical therapy often can restore regular menstrual cycles. Whatever the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding, the many treatments available today usually can resolve the problem. Patients should speak to their doctors about which medical or surgical options may be best for them.

A benign non-cancerous growth of cells that usually does not invade adjacent tissue. A pituitary adenoma can disrupt ovulation and menstruation and often is associated with excessive prolactin production. A benign non-cancerous invasion of endometrial tissue into the muscular wall myometrium of the uterus; is associated with painful or heavy menstrual periods. Adhesions scar tissue. Adhesions can result from previous infections, endometriosis, or previous surgeries.

Adrenal glands. Glands located above each kidney that secrete a large variety of hormones cortisol, adrenaline, and others that help the body withstand stress and regulate metabolism. Altered function of these glands can disrupt menstruation, cause inappropriate hair growth, and affect blood pressure.

In women, androgens are produced in small amounts by both the adrenal glands and ovaries. In women, excess amounts of androgens can lead to irregular menstrual periods, obesity, excessive growth of body hair hirsutism , and infertility. A reduction in the number of red blood cells, which carry oxygen in the body.

Anemia is characterized by weakness or listlessness. It can be a consequence of abnormal bleeding. Absent ovulation. Failure of the ovary to ovulate regularly.

A drug used to suppress the production of prolactin by the pituitary gland. The lower, narrow end of the uterus that connects the uterine cavity to the vagina. Clomiphene citrate. An oral anti-estrogen drug used to induce ovulation in the female. It also sometimes is used to increase testosterone levels in the infertile male, which may, in turn, improve sperm production. Computerized tomography CT. An x-ray imaging technique that creates a three-dimensional image of internal organs. Diabetes mellitus.

A condition due to abnormal production of insulin resulting in abnormally elevated blood glucose sugar levels. An outpatient surgical procedure during which the cervix is dilated and the lining of the uterus is scraped out. The tissue often is used for microscopic examination for the presence of abnormality or pregnancy tissue.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding DUB. Abnormal uterine bleeding with no evidence of mechanical or structural cause. Ectopic pregnancy. A pregnancy that implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. The tube may rupture or bleed as the pregnancy grows and create or result in a serious medical situation. Endometrial ablation. A hysteroscopic or non-hysteroscopic procedure used to remove, burn, or freeze most of the endometrium uterine lining ; sometimes used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding.

Endometrial biopsy. Removal of a small piece of tissue from the endometrium lining of the uterus for microscopic examination. An inflammation of the endometrium caused by bacterial invasion. The lining of the uterus that is shed each month as the menstrual period. As the monthly cycle progresses, the endometrium thickens and thus provides a nourishing site for the implantation of a fertilized egg. The female sex hormones produced by the ovaries that are responsible for the development of female sex characteristics.

Estrogens largely are responsible for stimulating the uterine lining to thicken during the first half of the menstrual cycle in preparation for ovulation and possible pregnancy.

They also are important for healthy bones and overall health. A small amount of these hormones also is produced in the male when testosterone is converted to estrogen. Fallopian tubes. A pair of hollow tubes attached one on each side of the uterus through which the egg travels from the ovary to the uterus.

Fertilization usually occurs in the fallopian tube. The fallopian tube is the most common site of ectopic pregnancy. Benign non-cancerous tumors of the uterine muscle wall that can cause abnormal uterine bleeding. Also known as leiomyomas or myomas. A fluid-filled sac located just beneath the surface of the ovary that contains an egg oocyte and cells that produce hormones.

The follicle increases in size and volume during the first half of the menstrual cycle. At ovulation, the follicle matures and ruptures, releasing the egg. As the follicle matures, it can be visualized by ultrasound. In addition to its mucus-secreting cells, the inner mucosa contains ciliated cells that beat in the direction of the uterus, producing a current that will be critical to move the oocyte.

Following ovulation, the secondary oocyte surrounded by a few granulosa cells is released into the peritoneal cavity. The nearby uterine tube, either left or right, receives the oocyte. Unlike sperm, oocytes lack flagella, and therefore cannot move on their own. So how do they travel into the uterine tube and toward the uterus? High concentrations of estrogen that occur around the time of ovulation induce contractions of the smooth muscle along the length of the uterine tube.

These contractions occur every 4 to 8 seconds, and the result is a coordinated movement that sweeps the surface of the ovary and the pelvic cavity. Current flowing toward the uterus is generated by coordinated beating of the cilia that line the outside and lumen of the length of the uterine tube. These cilia beat more strongly in response to the high estrogen concentrations that occur around the time of ovulation. As a result of these mechanisms, the oocyte—granulosa cell complex is pulled into the interior of the tube.

Once inside, the muscular contractions and beating cilia move the oocyte slowly toward the uterus. Fibroids can be diagnosed using imaging technology, such as an ultrasound. What are the treatments for uterine fibroids? Fibroids can be treated with medication, surgery, and other methods. Find a Study. More Information.

Other Uterine Fibroids FAQs Find answers to other common questions about uterine fibroids, such as their effects on fertility and their relation to risk for cancer. Uterine Fibroids Resources Links to websites of groups that study or provide information about uterine fibroids.

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