Juvenile uterine bleeding is considered a fairly common violation of the reproductive system during puberty. Many girls face a similar problem, and therefore it is important to know about the main causes and symptoms of the disorder. Indeed, in the absence of qualified medical care, an ailment can lead to dangerous and unpleasant consequences, including infertility.
So why do dysfunctional bleeding occur? What forms of pathology exist? What does the diagnostic process look like and is it always possible to notice the presence of the disease yourself? What treatment methods can young patients expect? Are there methods of prevention and alternative treatment? Which doctor should I go to? The answers to these questions are of interest to many girls.
What are juvenile bleeding?
Uterine bleeding during adolescence is a fairly common problem. According to statistics, about 20-30% of girls encounter some form of this pathology. It is immediately worth noting that the appearance of uterine bleeding is in no way associated with organic lesions of the reproductive system. The main factor in this case is a hormonal imbalance.
The period of puberty in girls is different. Moreover, it is difficult even to establish exact age limits for the puberty, as in some girls it starts at 8 years old, in others at 11. Normally, the active development of the reproductive system begins not earlier than 8 years old and should completely end by the age of sixteen. On the other hand, variations are also possible here - for example, the first menstruation often appears in a girl of 18 years old.
The girl’s body goes through a series of serious changes. At the same time, not only the uterus and ovaries are involved in the development process, but also the areas of the brain that regulate the production of female sex hormones. It is during this period of hormonal instability that puberty uterine bleeding is observed, which often coincides in time with the onset of ovulation. So what to do in such cases? Which specialists should I contact?
Juvenile uterine bleeding in adolescents: causes
Naturally, first of all, patients, as well as their parents, are interested in the causes of the development of pathology. Juvenile uterine bleeding is most often due to non-synchronous functioning of the ovaries and the hypothalamic-pituitary system. This part of the brain is a kind of “control center”. It produces neurohormones that control the work of all the endocrine glands, including the organs of the reproductive system. Against the background of desynchronization, folliculogenesis processes are disrupted, which leads to a change in normal menstrual function.
If the relationship between the brain and ovaries is disturbed, hyperestrogenia often develops (a sharp increase in the level of estrogen in the blood). This, in turn, leads to uterine endometrial hyperplasia. Often, against the background of such failures, cysts are formed in the organs of the reproductive system.
Since functional uterine bleeding in juvenile age is associated with hormonal imbalance, several risk factors can be distinguished. For example, constant stress, nervous strain, emotional exhaustion affects the release of hormones, and therefore may well trigger the appearance of bleeding.
According to statistics, many teenage girls face a similar problem after infectious diseases, including colds, rubella, chickenpox, flu, mumps, etc. Risk factors include chronic inflammatory ailments that gradually deplete the body’s reserves, for example, tonsillitis.
Pathology can be triggered by intense physical exertion, constant training (especially for girls professionally involved in sports). Proper nutrition also matters, because the diet should contain all the minerals and vitamins. Often, bleeding begins after severe hypothermia.
The causes of bleeding include bleeding disorders, but this condition is associated not only with the uterus - blood loss is possible in almost any organ, and it is very difficult to stop it.
It is proved that there is a certain genetic predisposition. It is noted that if the mother had a problem pregnancy, gestosis, abnormalities of the reproductive system or the same juvenile uterine bleeding in adolescence, then the chances of developing the disease in her daughters are much higher.
Pathology Forms
Depending on the changes in the hormonal background, juvenile uterine bleeding can be of two types:
- Hyper-built pathology, which, by the way, is most often observed. They occur against the background of an increase in estrogen levels and are accompanied by abundant, prolonged discharge from the genital tract. As a rule, such bleeding occurs after a slight delay in menstruation (from 1 to 3 months).
- Less often, patients are diagnosed with gopoestrogenic forms that develop against the background of a lack of estrogen. As a rule, bleeding begins after a long delay in menstruation (from 2 to 8 months). Allocations are not too plentiful and often quickly disappear on their own.
What symptoms are accompanied by pathology?
Unfortunately, quite often teenage girls cannot distinguish between bleeding and menstruation. By the way, the first episodes of pathology often fall on the first menstruation. However, they can continue for several years after the start of ovulation.
Bleeding is rarely accompanied by severe pain. Nevertheless, an increased amount of discharge can be noted. Often, bleeding lasts for several days in a row (8 or more) - this is cause for concern. Pathology can manifest itself not only during menstruation, but also between them. In addition, the cycle time is reduced - it is less than 21 days.
Against the background of constant blood loss, anemia develops. Girls complain of weakness, chronic fatigue, decreased performance, learning difficulties, fatigue, constant dizziness. The skin becomes pale.
What complications are possible?
It is immediately worth noting that girls 18 years and older, as a rule, no longer suffer from such pathologies, since the hormonal background can be leveled with the help of correctly carried out therapy. But with improper treatment or its absence at all, the consequences can be dangerous.
Massive blood loss is dangerous in itself. Moreover, periodic bleeding leads to the development of anemia. In turn, this disease is fraught with oxygen starvation and exhaustion of the body. It is also possible the development of persistent hormonal disorders that provoke a variety of problems, including the formation of cysts and tumors in the tissues of the ovary, as well as infertility.
Modern diagnostic methods
Of course, the diagnostic process should include several stages. First, the teenage gynecologist will try to collect a complete medical history. It is important to know when the discharge appeared, whether there were provoking factors, whether the patient’s mother suffered from gynecological diseases, whether the girl suffered any infectious diseases, etc.
Next, a standard gynecological examination is performed, and then an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs - this makes it possible to assess the condition of the ovaries, detect the presence of cysts or other neoplasms, check if there is an inflammatory process, etc. In order to more closely examine the internal genital organs, sometimes hysteroscopy is performed.
Since juvenile uterine bleeding in girls is associated with hormonal imbalance, a mandatory part of the diagnosis is a blood test for hormones. In particular, they check the level of progesterone, FSH, estradiol, LH, testosterone and thyroid hormones. If violations are detected, the patient is sometimes referred for consultation to an endocrinologist.
Depending on the data obtained during the diagnostic process, an additional blood coagulation test may be performed. Only after receiving all the necessary data, the doctor can draw up an effective treatment regimen.
Medication: drugs to stop uterine bleeding
The treatment of such a pathology largely depends on its severity, as well as the cause of development. If juvenile uterine bleeding to one degree or another is associated with physical or emotional stress, they need to be eliminated - sometimes even this is enough to prevent episodes of the disease.
Unfortunately, in most cases, the condition of the patients is more severe, and bleeding requires hospitalization. The first task in this case is to stop the loss of blood. To begin with, girls are prescribed hemostatic drugs, in particular, “Vikasol”, “Dicinon”, as well as aminocaproic acid and ascorutin. It is also necessary to take oxytocin, which causes uterine contractions and helps to stop bleeding. A glucose solution is administered intravenously.
If the above treatment regimen does not have the desired effect, the patient is prescribed hormonal estrogen-gestan drugs, in particular, Marveloe, Rigevidon, Mercilon. Such drugs in most cases help stop blood loss during the day, after which their dose is gradually reduced. Nevertheless, the course of taking the tablets lasts 21 days. Such therapy helps not only to eliminate bleeding, but also to gradually normalize the normal menstrual cycle, which is important, especially if the pathology is associated with a serious hormonal imbalance.
In addition, the patient is prescribed vitamin complexes, iron-containing agents, vasoconstrictors - this helps to eliminate anemia and restore the balance of minerals and nutrients in the body. With severe anemia, not only iron intake is necessary, but also folic acid, vitamins C and B12. Massive blood loss is an indication for transfusion of red blood cells and frozen plasma. Physiotherapy is also needed. Comprehensive treatment should also include feasible physical activity, a healthy diet, the correct mode of work and rest.
If bleeding occurs against a background of stressful situations or is associated with a mental factor, then a consultation with a therapist is mandatory. Sometimes sedatives and other medications are required.
Surgical treatment: when is it necessary?
In some cases, such a pathology requires surgical intervention. Hysteroscopy is performed with diagnostic curettage of the uterine cavity. This procedure, as a rule, is performed under general anesthesia, but it is also possible using local anesthesia. If possible, the doctor retains hymen. The tissue obtained during curettage is then sent to the laboratory for further research.
Surgical intervention is required for prolonged massive bleeding that cannot be established with conservative means. But even after curettage, the patient needs treatment with medications, including hormonal drugs. It should be noted that in case of blood coagulation disorders, the operation should never be performed.
Are there effective prevention methods?
It's no secret that it is sometimes much easier to prevent the development of a disease than to undergo treatment and deal with complications. Modern medicine recommends preventive maintenance therapy to prevent new bleeding.
From the fifth to the fifteenth day of the menstrual cycle, patients are prescribed vitamin E, folic and glutamic acid, as well as an intravenous vitamin B solution. From the 16th to the 26th day of the cycle, the treatment regimen looks different - girls take ascorbic acid and B vitamins. Such treatment is carried out within three months after the bleeding stops and, according to reviews, gives really good results.
If the stopping of bleeding was carried out using hormonal drugs, then the patient is shown taking small doses of progestins, in particular Logest, Novinet, Silest and some other drugs. Estrogen-progestogen drugs are prescribed for girls who have been scraped, followed by hormonal arrest of bleeding.
Naturally, during the rehabilitation period, general wellness procedures are of great importance. An important point is proper nutrition. It is necessary to ensure that the body receives a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals. Twice a year, the prophylactic intake of vitamin complexes is recommended.
All this not only prevents the occurrence of bleeding in the future, but also helps to normalize the menstrual cycle, to establish the work of the reproductive system.
Regular physical activity (their intensity should increase gradually), swimming, walking in the fresh air, relaxing by the sea, active tourism, and spa treatment will have a positive effect on the state of health.
Treatment with folk remedies: is it possible?
Many patients are interested in questions about whether there are folk remedies for stopping uterine bleeding. Of course, folk healers offer some methods to combat pathology.
For example, an infusion of yarrow and nettle is considered an effective remedy. To prepare it, you need to grind 25 g of sheets of nettle and yarrow flowers. A tablespoon of the finished mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water, after which it is infused for two hours. You need to take the drug three times a day, 100 ml each. The course of such home therapy lasts 10 days. It is believed that the tool helps prevent the occurrence of uterine bleeding in the future.
You can stop blood loss with an orange broth. First you need to peel seven oranges, pour their peel with a liter of boiling water. The mixture must be simmered until only a third of the original volume of water remains in the pan. In the broth for taste, you can add a little sugar. Recommended to take 12 tablespoons 3-4 times a day. It is believed that it is possible to stop bleeding with this medicine after two days.
You can make tea from mountain ash. Take equal parts of rowan berries and mint leaves and mix them. 10 g of the finished mixture should be filled with a glass of boiling water and allowed to steam. Drinking tea is recommended three times a day. As a rule, full recovery occurs 2-4 days after the start of therapy.
Despite the variety of folk recipes, do not forget that juvenile uterine bleeding is an extremely serious problem. The loss of a large volume of blood threatens with dangerous consequences for the whole organism. Moreover, home remedies are not able to normalize the hormonal background. Therefore, before you start using any home medicine, be sure to consult your doctor. Uterine bleeding requires urgent medical attention - do not risk your health.