Publication:

A study of thyroid dysfunction in dysfunctional uterine bleeding

Background The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in dysfunctional uterine bleeding and to assess the menstrual and endometrial pattern in women with thyroid disorders.

Methods The present study was conducted on 200 patients who presented with dysfunctional uterine bleeding in gynecology OPD.

Results Among the 200 women 39 (19.5%) had hypothyroidism, 2 (1%) had hyperthyroidism and 159 (79.55%) were euthyroid. Menorrhagia was the most common menstrual disorder in hypothyroidism and oligomenorrhoea in hyperthyroidism. In the present study 74.3% patients had proliferative endometrium,26.3% secretory endometrium, in hypothyroid patients and secretory endometrium in 2 (1%) hyperthyroid patients. A woman with hypothyroidism, commonly presents with anovulation and unopposed oestrogen activity causes endometrial hyperplasia which may outgrow the blood supply and may cause local areas of necrosis and breakdown and produces bleeding.

Conclusions The menstrual irregularities are significantly more frequent in patients with thyroid dysfunction and menorrhagia was the commonest menstrual abnormality. The study concludes that biochemical evaluation of thyroid function should be made mandatory in all cases of abnormal uterine bleeding and this would avoid unnecessary surgeries and exposure to hormones.