It’s easy to think the worst when your patient mentions abnormal bleeding. It can mean so many things! Context is everything for the patient with abnormal uterine bleeding. Their age, their history, when it started, how long it lasted, their other diagnoses, even their other medications. These are all factors to consider in the patient with abnormal uterine bleeding, and will point you in a starting direction for your assessment and help you to build your differential.

Abnormal uterine bleeding often doesn’t mean the same thing for a young person in their twenties compared to someone who is past menopause. Do you know when people tend to start having periods (menarche)? Do you know when people tend to stop having periods (menopause)? Are you solid on what stopping having periods even means? Once you are solid on what is normal, you will get up to speed with abnormal things much faster. 

This week, we will cover the history questions to ask, the labs to order, and the imaging to order - and we will go even deeper. We’ll also talk about: 

• Normal versus abnormal uterine bleeding
• The anatomical factors that are key to your assessment
• Potential causes of abnormal uterine bleeding
• Other conditions that could cause or contribute to abnormal uterine bleeding
• Pearls related to imaging (what to order, and how)

Like so many other concerns in healthcare, abnormal uterine bleeding can be scary, for patients as well as providers. Increasing your knowledge level will increase your comfort level. This will help you to build a strong differential, guide your patients, and address their concerns effectively. 

If you liked this post, also check out:

• Discussing Sexual Health With Your Patients - An Interview With A Sexual Health Educator 
• Pap Screening In Primary Care 
• Pelvic Floor Dysfunction for New Nurse Practitioners 

Read the full blog post here.

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