terms used to describe abnormal uterine bleeding
Last edited 09/2018
Terminology and descriptions used to describe uterine bleeding consistent with the FIGO Menstrual Disorders Working Group consensus statement
characteristic
|
terminology |
description |
volume |
heavy menstrual bleeding |
excessive menstrual blood loss which interferes with the woman’s physical, emotional, social and material quality of life and which can occur alone or in combination with other symptoms |
regularity (normal variation ±2 to 20 days) |
irregular menstrual bleeding |
a range of varying lengths of bleeding-free intervals exceeding 20 days within one 90-day reference period |
absent menstrual bleeding (amenorrhoea) |
no bleeding in a 90-day period |
|
frequency (normal every 24 to 38 days) |
infrequent menstrual bleeding |
bleeding at intervals >38 days apart (1 or 2 episodes in a 90-day period) |
frequent menstrual bleeding |
Bleeding at intervals < 24 days apart(more than 4 episodes in a 90-day period) |
|
duration (normal 3 to 8 days) |
prolonged menstrual bleeding |
describes menstrual blood loss which exceeds 8 days in duration |
shortened menstrual bleeding |
menstrual bleeding less than 3 days in duration |
|
irregular, non-menstrual bleeding |
intermenstrual |
irregular episodes of bleeding, often light and short, occurring between otherwise fairly normal menstrual periods |
post-coital |
bleeding post-intercourse |
|
premenstrual and post-menstrual spotting |
bleeding that may occur in a regular basis for one or more days before or after the recognised menstrual period |
|
bleeding outside reproductive age |
post-menopausal bleeding |
bleeding occurring more than one year after the acknowledged menopause |
precocious menstruation |
bleeding occurring before the age of 9 years |
|
acute or chronic AUB |
acute AUB |
an episode of bleeding in a woman of reproductive age, who is not pregnant, that is of sufficient quantity to require immediate intervention to prevent further blood loss |
chronic AUB |
bleeding that is abnormal in duration, volume and/or frequency and has been present for most of the last 6 months |
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