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  • Title: Vaginal bleeding in adolescents.
    Author: Gidwani GP.
    Journal: J Reprod Med; 1984 Jun; 29(6):417-20. PubMed ID: 6747972.
    Abstract:
    Abnormal vaginal bleeding in the teenage years usually has nonorganic causes; however, a careful elimination of organic causes is necessary before the diagnosis of dysfunctional uterine bleeding is made. The differential diagnosis in the case of such a complaint and a management plan are discussed. This discussion of vaginal bleeding in adolescents reviews the causes of dysfunctional uterine bleeding (complications of pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease and/or complications of the use of oral contraceptives or IUDs, blood dyscrasias, trauma and foreign bodies, tumors, and other causes) as well as the diagnosis and treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Menstrual irregularities are the most common cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding in adolescence and can be managed easily in the office. On occasion an adolescent needs to be hospitalized for acute menorrhagia; very rarely a surgical procedure such as dilatation and curettage is necessary. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is defined as abnormal uterine bleeding without local anatomic causes. It is a diagnosis of exclusion and requires an adequate examination of the vagina, cervix, and other pelvic organs. Some local bleeding presents as irregular vaginal bleeding in adolescents and is diagnosed as dysfunctional bleeding. The diagnosis of pregnancy and related complications (threatened abortion, incomplete or complete abortion, ectopic pregnancy, and postabortal trophoblastic disease) may present as irregular bleeding in the practitioner's office. A teenager may give a history of pregnancy if she is questioned about it closely and confidentially. A high index of suspicion will help the clinician to make this diagnosis. Salpingitis should be suspected in any teenager who presents with low abdominal tenderness, pain, abnormal bleeding, low grade fever, and tenderness on cervical movement. Approximately 10% of teenagers with blood dyscrasias present with cyclic hypermenorrhea. Vaginal ulcerations and objects introduced into the vagina occasionally cause irregular bleeding. Such tumors as clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vaginal and sarcoma botyroides may present as metrorrhagia. These etiologic factors comprise as most only about 5% of adolescents who complain of irregular vaginal bleeding. The most common cause of such bleeding is anovulation or oligoovulation due to the noncyclic release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) during adolescence. Although the most common cause of this cyclic disturbance is the hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis, some well known endocrine disorders can also produce this picture. 95-97% of adolescents will have no organic reason for their irregular bleeding. The diagnosis of dysfunctional uterine bleeding is then made. Detailed suggestions are provided on how to proceed which will prevent grave errors in the diagnosis and treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding in adolescents. The patient who has been bleeding very heavily and has a hematocrit less than 30 may have to be hospitalized. A medical D and C can be done with a progestational agent. Such patients may need a transfusion of packed cells and should be kept on oral iron. They also need cycling with Ovral for 2-3 months and must be followed carefully.
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