Dysfunctional uterine bleeding can usually be managed with medication to reduce bleeding and/or hormone therapy to either stop or regulate menstrual periods. Surgical treatment is reserved for bleeding that can't be controlled with medication or hormone therapy.

Acute, severe uterine bleeding

Severe uterine bleeding is usually treated on an emergency basis with a short course of high-dose estrogen therapy. If that isn't effective in rare cases, a dilation and curettage (D&C) may be done to clear the uterus of tissue. When necessary, a blood transfusion is used to quickly restore needed blood volume.

If you are treated for severe uterine bleeding, you and your health professional can then choose a treatment that is safe for the longer term.

Ongoing uterine bleeding

Your age, the cause of your condition, and any future plans for pregnancy will impact the treatment choices available to you.

• If you are a teen, you can expect your periods to become more regular as your body matures. You may choose to wait and see if your periods become more regular. If you need treatment, your doctor may prescribe progestin or birth control pills to regulate your cycle.
• If you are not ovulating regularly, it's difficult to predict how long your irregular bleeding will last until you stop having periods completely (menopause). If you need treatment, your doctor may give you hormone therapy (progestin or birth control pills) to regulate your cycle. If you have no future childbearing plans and have severe symptoms, you can opt for surgical treatment to remove your uterus (hysterectomy) or to destroy the uterine lining (endometrial ablation).
• If you are ovulating regularly, have irregular vaginal bleeding, and plan to become pregnant in the future, talk to your doctor about your treatment options. He or she may recommend oral progestin and/or birth control pills until your bleeding becomes more regular. If you have no future pregnancy plans, you can consider endometrial ablation or hysterectomy if medical treatment is ineffective.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRH-As) are rarely used now. These drugs reduce estrogen production, making your body think it is in menopause. This reduces or stops menstrual periods for as long as you take the medication. Unless you are close to menopause, once you stop taking the medicine your symptoms will come back. Side effects with GnRH-As are common.

For more information about treatment options, see:

Should I use hormone therapy to treat dysfunctional uterine bleeding?

What To Think About

When considering treatment for dysfunctional uterine bleeding, evaluate the following:

• Has irregular menstrual bleeding caused a significant change in your lifestyle?
• Do you plan to become pregnant in the future?
• Do you have anemia caused by irregular menstrual bleeding?
• Do you want a treatment that will also provide birth control?
• Do you prefer to avoid medical treatment if possible?
• Will you be starting menopause soon? If you are approaching menopause, you can expect uterine bleeding to naturally cease without treatment.

The answers to these questions will help you and your health professional select the treatment plan that is best for you.