The American College of

Obstetricians and Gynecologists P R AC T I C E

BUL L E T I N
WOMENS HEALTH CARE PHYSICIANS

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR OBSTETRICIAN GYNECOLOGISTS

NUMBER 128, JULY 2012 (Reaffirmed 2014)

Diagnosis of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

in Reproductive-Aged Women
Menstrual flow outside of normal volume, duration, regularity, or frequency is considered abnormal uterine bleeding
(AUB). One third of outpatient visits to the gynecologist are for AUB, and it accounts for more than 70% of all gyne-
cologic consults in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal years (1). Many new diagnostic modalities are available
to assist the clinician in evaluating the woman with alterations in her normal menstrual patterns. The purpose of this
document is to provide evidence-based management guidelines for the evaluation of the reproductive-aged patient
with AUB. A secondary purpose is to introduce a new classification system for AUB. This document does not address
pregnancy-related bleeding or postmenopausal bleeding.

Background (polyp, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, malignancy and hyper-

plasia, coagulopathy, ovulatory dysfunction, endometrial,
Definition and Nomenclature iatrogenic, and not yet classified), known by the acronym
The duration of normal menstrual flow is generally 5 days, PALMCOEIN, was introduced in 2011 by the Inter-
and the normal menstrual cycle typically lasts between national Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO)
21 days and 35 days. Descriptive terms that traditionally (3). The American College of Obstetricians and Gyne-
have been used to characterize abnormal menstrual bleed- cologists supports the adoption of the PALMCOEIN
ing patterns include menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, poly- nomenclature system developed by FIGO to standardize
menorrhea, and oligomenorrhea. Menorrhagia, or heavy the terminology used to describe AUB.
menstrual bleeding, is defined as menstrual blood loss The PALMCOEIN system classifies uterine bleed-
greater than 80 mL (2). However, this definition is used ing abnormalities by bleeding pattern as well as by
for research purposes and, in practice, excessive blood loss etiology. The overarching term AUB is paired with des-
should be based on the patients perception. Metrorrhagia criptive terms to denote bleeding patterns associated
is defined as bleeding between periods. Polymenorrhea with AUB, such as heavy menstrual bleeding (instead
is defined as bleeding that occurs more often than every of menorrhagia) and intermenstrual bleeding (instead of
21 days, and oligomenorrhea is defined as bleeding that metrorrhagia). Abnormal uterine bleeding is further clas-
occurs less frequently than every 35 days. sified by one (or more) letter qualifiers that indicate its
In an effort to create a universally accepted system of etiology or etiologies (Fig. 1). The term dysfunctional
nomenclature to describe uterine bleeding abnormalities uterine bleedingoften used synonymously with AUB
in reproductive-aged women, a new classification system in the literature to indicate AUB for which there was no

Committee on Practice BulletinsGynecology. This Practice Bulletin was developed by the Committee on Practice BulletinsGynecology with the
assistance of Micah J. Hill, DO, Eric D Levens, MD, and Alan H. DeCherney, MD. The information is designed to aid practitioners in making decisions
about appropriate obstetric and gynecologic care. These guidelines should not be construed as dictating an exclusive course of treatment or procedure.
Variations in practice may be warranted based on the needs of the individual patient, resources, and limitations unique to the institution or type of practice.
 Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB)
Heavy menstrual bleeding (AUB/HMB)
Intermenstrual bleeding (AUB/IMB)

PALM: Structural Causes COEIN: Nonstructural Causes

Polyp (AUB-P) Coagulopathy (AUB-C)
Adenomyosis (AUB-A) Ovulatory dysfunction (AUB-O)
Leiomyoma (AUB-L) Endometrial (AUB-E)
Submucosal myoma (AUB-LSM) Iatrogenic (AUB-I)
Other myoma (AUB-LO) Not yet classified (AUB-N)
Malignancy & hyperplasia (AUB-M)

Fig. 1. Basic PALMCOEIN classification system for the causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in nonpregnant women of reproductive
age. This system, approved by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, uses the term AUB paired with descriptive
terms that describe associated bleeding patterns (HMB or IMB), or a qualifying letter (or letters), or both to indicate its etiology (or
etiologies). Modified from Munro MG, Critchley HO, Broder MS, Fraser IS. FIGO classification system (PALMCOEIN) for causes of
abnormal uterine bleeding in nongravid women of reproductive age. FIGO Working Group on Menstrual Disorders. Int J Gynaecol
Obstet 2011;113:313. [PubMed] [Full Text] A

systemic or locally definable structural causeis not part Diagnosis

of the PALMCOEIN system, and discontinuation of its
The evaluation of women with AUB includes a thorough
use is recommended (3).
medical history and physical examination, appropriate
laboratory and imaging tests, and consideration of age-
Pathophysiology
related factors (see the section Age-Based Common
The most common causes of abnormal uterine bleeding Differential Diagnosis).
include uterine pathologies (PALMCOEIN classifica-
tions are shown parenthetically), such as endometrial Medical History and Physical Examination
polyps (AUB-P), adenomyosis (AUB-A), uterine leiomyo-
mas (AUB-L), and endometrial hyperplasia or carcinoma A medical history should include questions about men-
(AUB-M). Other possible etiologies include systemic strual bleeding patterns, severity and pain associated
conditions, such as coagulopathies, both inherited (eg, with bleeding, and family history of AUB or other bleed-
von Willebrand disease) and acquired (AUB-C), and ovul- ing problems because up to 20% of women (at any age)
atory dysfunction (AUB-O). Ovulatory AUB is more presenting with heavy menstrual bleeding will have an
common than AUB that is related to ovulatory dysfunc- underlying bleeding disorder (1013). An initial screen-
tion (4). ing for an underlying disorder of hemostasis should be
Ovulatory dysfunction (AUB-O) is a spectrum of performed (see Box 1). If a concern remains about a pos-
disorders that range from amenorrhea to irregular heavy sible bleeding disorder, the National Heart, Lung, and
menstrual periods. They are typically the result of an endo- Blood Institute management guidelines may be helpful
crinopathy, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/vwd/vwd.pdf) (14,
In these cases of AUB, the mechanisms of abnormal 15). The patient medical history also should include
bleeding are related to unopposed estrogen. In ovulatory questions about the use of medications or herbal rem-
AUB the hypothalamicpituitaryovarian axis is intact edies that might cause AUB, such as warfarin, heparin,
and steroid hormone profiles are normal. Once regular nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, hormonal contra-
menses has been established during adolescence, ovula- ceptives, ginkgo, ginseng, and motherwort (16, 17).
tory AUB accounts for most cases (4). Mechanisms for General physical findings of note include excessive
ovulatory AUB include abnormal prostaglandin synthe- weight, signs of PCOS (eg, hirsutism and acne), signs of
sis and receptor upregulation (57), increased local fibri- thyroid disease (eg, thyroid nodule), and signs of insulin
nolytic activity (8), and increased tissue plasminogen resistance (eg, acanthosis nigricans on the neck). Physical
activator activity (9). examination findings suggestive of a bleeding disorder

2 Practice Bulletin No. 128

 Box 1. Clinical Screening for an Underlying Box 2. Diagnostic Evaluation of
Disorder of Hemostasis in the Patient With Abnormal Uterine Bleeding A
Excessive Menstrual Bleeding A
Medical History
Initial screening for an underlying disorder of hemo-
stasis in patients with excessive menstrual bleeding Age of menarche and menopause
should be structured by medical history (positive screen Menstrual bleeding patterns
comprises any of the following): *
Severity of bleeding (clots or flooding)
Heavy menstrual bleeding since menarche
Pain (severity and treatment)
One of the following:
Medical conditions
Postpartum hemorrhage
Surgical history
Surgery-related bleeding
Bleeding associated with dental work Use of medications
Symptoms and signs of possible hemostatic disorder
Two or more of the following symptoms:
Bruising one to two times per month Physical Examination
Epistaxis one to two times per month General physical
Frequent gum bleeding Pelvic Examination
Family history of bleeding symptoms External
*Patients with a positive screen should be considered for further Speculum with Pap test, if needed*
evaluation, including consultation with a hematologist and testing
of von Willebrand factor and ristocetin cofactor.
Bimanual
Reprinted from Kouides PA, Conard J, Peyvandi F, Lukes A, Kadir R. Laboratory Tests
Hemostasis and menstruation: appropriate investigation for under-
lying disorders of hemostasis in women with excessive menstrual
Pregnancy test (blood or urine)
bleeding. Fertil Steril 2005;84(5):134551. [PubMed] [Full Text] Complete blood count
Targeted screening for bleeding disorders (when
indicated)
include petechiae, ecchymoses, skin pallor, or swollen
Thyroid-stimulating hormone level
joints, although absence of these signs does not exclude
the possibility of an underlying bleeding condition (18 Chlamydia trachomatis
20). A pelvic examination also should be performed as Available Diagnostic or Imaging Tests (when indicated)
part of the physical examination, and in adults, this should
Saline infusion sonohysterography
include speculum and bimanual examination. A speculum
examination should be performed to assess for cervical Transvaginal ultrasonography
or vaginal lesions, with appropriate tissue sampling when Magnetic resonance imaging
abnormalities are noted. A bimanual examination should Hysteroscopy
be performed to assess the size and contour of the uterus.
Available Tissue Sampling Methods (when indicated)
Laboratory Testing Office endometrial biopsy
Laboratory assessment for AUB should include a preg- Hysteroscopy directed endometrial sampling (office
nancy test, complete blood count (CBC); measurement or operating room)
of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels; and cervi-
cal cancer screening. Testing for Chlamydia trachomatis *For the nonadolescent patient only.
should be considered, especially in patients at high risk Including a coagulation panel for adolescents and adult patients

with suspected bleeding disorders.

of infection (see Box 2). Ovulatory status usually can be
determined by the presence of cyclic menses.
A CBC will indicate whether the patient has anemia
or thrombocytopenic bleeding. The onset of heavy men- bleeding disorder, laboratory testing is indicated. Initial
ses at menarche is often the first sign of von Willebrand tests should include a CBC with platelets, prothrombin
disease. In all adolescents with heavy menstrual bleeding time, and partial thromboplastin time (fibrinogen or
and adult patients with a positive screening history for a thrombin time are optional); bleeding time is neither

Practice Bulletin No. 128 3

sensitive nor specific, and is not indicated (14). Depend- 40 Years to Menopause
ing on the results of the initial tests, or if a patients In women aged 40 years to menopause, abnormal uterine
medical history is suggestive of an underlying bleeding bleeding may be due to anovulatory bleeding, which
condition, specific tests for von Willebrand disease or represents normal physiology in response to declining
other coagulopathies may be indicated, including von ovarian function. It also may be due to endometrial
Willebrandristocetin cofactor activity, von Willebrand hyperplasia or carcinoma, endometrial atrophy, and leio-
factor antigen, and factor VIII (14, 2023). myomas.
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are associated
with AUB, although hypothyroidism is more common
(24). Subclinical hyperthyroidism may be associated
with AUB. In a study of apparently euthyroid women,
Clinical Considerations and
those with heavy menstrual bleeding had significantly Recommendations
decreased levels of TSH and increased levels of total tri-
iodothyronine, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and When is imaging indicated in reproductive-
total thyroxine as compared with normally menstruating aged women?
women (25). Screening for thyroid disease with TSH The literature is unclear as to when evaluation with
level measurement in women with AUB is reasonable imaging is indicated. Any patient with an abnormal
and inexpensive. physical examination, such as an enlarged or globular
uterus on bimanual examination, should undergo trans-
Imaging Techniques
vaginal ultrasonography to evaluate for myomas and
The primary imaging test of the uterus for the evaluation adenomyosis. When symptoms persist despite treatment
of AUB is transvaginal ultrasonography. If transvaginal in the setting of a normal pelvic examination, further
ultrasonographic images are not adequate or further evalu- evaluation is indicated with transvaginal ultrasonogra-
ation of the cavity is necessary, then sonohysterography phy, or biopsy, or both, if not already performed (see
(also called saline infusion sonohysterography) or hyster- Fig. 2). When there is clinical suspicion for endometrial
oscopy (preferably in the office setting) is recommended polyps or submucosal leiomyomas, sonohysterography
(26). Magnetic resonance imaging is not a primary imag- or hysteroscopy will enable better detection of lesions.
ing modality for AUB. In adolescents, transabdominal The decision to perform an imaging examination should
ultrasonography may be more appropriate than transvagi- be based on the clinical judgment of the health care pro-
nal ultrasonography for evaluation. vider with consideration of the cost and benefit to the
patient (32). Measurement of endometrial thickness in
Age-Based Common Differential premenopausal women is not helpful in the evaluation
Diagnosis A of AUB.
1318 Years How do transvaginal ultrasonography,
In adolescents, AUB most frequently occurs as a result sonohysterography, and magnetic resonance
of persistent anovulation due to the immaturity or dys- imaging compare in the assessment of
regulation of the hypothalamicpituitaryovarian axis uterine abnormalities?
and represents normal physiology (27). Abnormal uterine
bleeding in adolescents also may be due to hormonal Transvaginal ultrasonography is useful as a screening
contraceptive use, pregnancy, pelvic infection, coagulopa- test to assess the endometrial cavity for leiomyomas and
thies, or tumors (28). As many as 19% of adolescents with polyps. Although transvaginal ultrasonography is help-
AUB who require hospitalization may have an underlying ful for evaluating the myometrium itself, its sensitivity
coagulopathy (29, 30), which emphasizes the importance and specificity for evaluating intracavitary pathology are
of screening for coagulation disorders in these patients. only 56% and 73%, respectively (33).
Substantial evidence exists to indicate that sonohys-
1939 Years terography is superior to transvaginal ultrasonography
Abnormal uterine bleeding most frequently occurs in in the detection of intracavitary lesions, such as polyps
women aged 1939 years as a result of pregnancy, struc- and submucosal leiomyomas (3341). Only sonohys-
tural lesions (eg, leiomyomas or polyps), anovulatory terography can distinguish between focal versus uniform
cycles (eg, PCOS), use of hormonal contraception, and thickening of the endometrium and structural abnormali-
endometrial hyperplasia. Endometrial cancer is less com- ties. A localized thickening of the endometrium may not
mon but may occur in this age group (31). yield adequate sampling with an endometrial biopsy.

4 Practice Bulletin No. 128

 Uterine
evaluation

Enhanced risk of hyperplasia Enhanced risk of a

or neoplasia or both structural abnormality

Yes No Yes

Office endometrial biopsy TVUS

Adequate Yes Normal cavity?

No
specimen?

No
Yes
or
Hysteroscopy SIS
+/- biopsy
Atypical AUB-E or O
hyperplasia/ No
(presumptive) Target lesion?
CA?
No Cant assess
Yes Yes

Consider MRI
Management of AUB-M AUB-LSM, AUB-P, AUB-A

Fig. 2. Uterine evaluation. The uterine evaluation is, in part, guided by the medial history and other elements of the clinical situation,
such as patient age, presence of an apparent chronic ovulatory disorder, or presence of other risk factors for endometrial hyperplasia or
malignancy. For those at increased risk, endometrial biopsy is probably warranted. If there is a risk of structural anomaly, particularly if
previous medical therapy has been unsuccessful, evaluation of the uterus should include imaging, at least with a screening transvaginal
ultrasonography. Unless the ultrasound image indicates a normal endometrial cavity, it will be necessary to use either or both hys-
teroscopy and sonohysterography to determine whether target lesions are present. Such an approach is also desirable if endometrial
sampling has not provided an adequate specimen. Uncommonly, these measures are inconclusive or, in the instance of virginal girls
and women, not feasible outside of an anesthetized environment. In these instances, magnetic resonance imaging may be of value, if
available. Abbreviations: AUB, abnormal uterine bleeding; AUB-P, polyp; AUB-A, adenomyosis; AUB-LSM, leiomyoma submucosal; AUB-
M, malignancy and hyperplasia; AUB-O, ovulatory dysfunction; AUB-E, endometrial; CA, carcinoma; MRI, magnetic resonance imag-
ing; SIS, sonohysterography; TVUS, transvaginal ultrasonography. Reprinted from Munro MG. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press; 2010. Ap4 Ap7

Compared with transvaginal ultrasonography, sono- submucosal leiomyomas, which may help predict the suc-
hysterography also provides better information on the cess of hysteroscopic resection (43, 44). However, there
size and location of cavitary abnormalities (38). In a is insufficient evidence to recommend routine three-
study that compared the accuracy of several diagnos- dimensional ultrasonography in the evaluation of AUB.
tic modalities, sonohysterography was as effective as Routine use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
hysteroscopy in detecting structural versus histopatho- in the evaluation of AUB is not recommended. However,
logic abnormalities (33). In a large meta-analysis, the MRI may be useful to guide the treatment of myo-
presence of intrauterine abnormalities in women with mas, particularly when the uterus is enlarged, contains
AUB was 46.6% (42). There are some data that indicate multiple myomas, or precise myoma mapping is of
that three-dimensional sonohysterography may be more clinical importance. However, the benefits and costs to
accurate than two-dimensional sonohysterography in the patient must be weighed when considering its use.
determining the size and depth of myometrial invasion of The superior sensitivity of MRI may be useful when

Practice Bulletin No. 128 5

myomectomy is planned, before uterine artery emboli- a previous benign pathology, such as proliferative endo-
zation, for the detection of adenomyomas, and before metrium, requires further testing to rule out nonfocal
focused ultrasound treatment (4547). endometrial pathology or a structural pathology, such as
a polyp or leiomyoma. Other evaluation methods, such
How is ultrasonographic measurement of as transvaginal ultrasonography, sonohysterography, or
endometrial thickness useful in the evalua- office hysteroscopy also may be necessary when the
tion of abnormal uterine bleeding in various endometrial biopsy is insufficient, nondiagnostic, or can-
age groups? not be performed.
Hysteroscopy allows direct visualization of endome-
Ultrasonographic measurement of endometrial thick- trial cavity abnormalities and the ability to take directed
ness is of limited value in detecting benign abnormali- biopsies (26). Hysteroscopy is highly accurate in diag-
ties in the premenopausal woman as compared with its nosing endometrial cancer but less useful for detecting
ability to exclude malignancy in the postmenopausal hyperplasia (53). Hysteroscopy may be performed in an
woman (4850). There are insufficient data to support office setting or in the operating room, with office hys-
the use of endometrial thickness in the evaluation of teroscopy being less expensive, more convenient for the
AUB in women of reproductive age who are at low risk. physician and patient, and offering faster recovery and
Endometrial thickness varies throughout the menstrual less time off work for the patient (54, 55). Performing
cycle in response to hormonal changes, making its diag- hysteroscopy in the operating room has the advantages
nostic value in premenopausal women less useful. of general anesthetics and the ability to perform laparos-
copy should complications arise. In a meta-analysis that
When is endometrial tissue sampling indi- evaluated the accuracy of diagnostic hysteroscopy com-
cated in patients with abnormal uterine pared with guided biopsy during hysteroscopy, operative
bleeding and how should it be performed? hysteroscopy, or hysterectomy, diagnostic hysteroscopy
had an overall success rate of 96.6% (standard deviation,
The primary role of endometrial sampling in patients with
5.2%; range, 83100%), and abnormalities were found
AUB is to determine whether carcinoma or premalignant
in 46.6% of premenopausal and postmenopausal women
lesions are present, although other pathology related to
with AUB (42).
bleeding may be found. Endometrial tissue sampling
should be performed in patients with AUB who are older
What tests are useful for diagnosing adeno-
than 45 years as a first-line test (see Fig. 2). Endometrial
myosis?
sampling also should be performed in patients younger
than 45 years with a history of unopposed estrogen expo- Adenomyosis can be diagnosed with transvaginal ultra-
sure (such as seen in obesity or PCOS), failed medical sonography or MRI and is definitively diagnosed by
management, and persistent AUB (3). histopathology. Ultrasonographic findings that support a
An office endometrial biopsy is the first-line proce- diagnosis of adenomyosis include heterogeneous myome-
dure for tissue sampling in the evaluation of patients with trium, myometrial cysts, asymmetric myometrial thick-
AUB. Endometrial sampling may be performed with a ness, and subendometrial echogenic linear striations
variety of office aspirators, office or inpatient hysteros- (5660). Adenomyosis is best visualized with MRI using
copy, or by dilation and curettage. A systematic review T2-weighted images (61, 62). The incidence of asymp-
showed that endometrial biopsy has high overall accu- tomatic adenomyosis found incidentally on imaging
racy in diagnosing endometrial cancer when an adequate studies in women has not been established. In studies that
specimen is obtained and when the endometrial process compared the effectiveness of transvaginal ultrasonogra-
is global. If the cancer occupies less than 50% of the phy and MRI for the diagnosis of adenomyosis, MRI has
surface area of the endometrial cavity, the cancer can be been shown to be somewhere between equal to and supe-
missed by a blind endometrial biopsy (51). Further, the rior (61, 6366). The discrepancies in studies comparing
results showed that a positive test result is more accurate the two modalities may be due to different diagnostic
for ruling in disease than a negative test result is for rul- criteria for adenomyosis, varying quality of ultrasound
ing it out: the posttest probability of endometrial cancer machines over the time spans of the studies, and the
was 81.7% (95% confidence interval, 59.792.9%) for a experience of the radiologists in diagnosing adenomyo-
positive test result and 0.9% (95% confidence interval, sis. Transvaginal ultrasonography may perform less well
0.42.4%) for a negative test result (52). Therefore, in the presence of an enlarged uterus or with coexisting
these tests are only an endpoint when they reveal cancer myomas (37, 65, 67). These factors and the expense of
or atypical complex hyperplasia. Persistent bleeding with MRI have led some experts to recommend transvaginal

6 Practice Bulletin No. 128

ultrasonography as the initial screening test for AUB and The following recommendations and conclusions
MRI as a second-line test to be used when the diagnosis are based on limited or inconsistent scientific evi-
is inconclusive, when further delineation would affect dence (Level B):
patient management, or when coexisting uterine myomas
are suspected (59, 60, 62, 65, 6770). Testing for Chlamydia trachomatis should be con-
sidered, especially in patients at high risk of infection.
At what point in the evaluation is therapy Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are associated
appropriate? with AUB. Screening for thyroid disease with TSH
level measurement in women with AUB is reason-
In a patient without enhanced risk of endometrial hyper-
able and inexpensive.
plasia, neoplasia, or structural abnormalities, such as
adolescents, a trial of therapy is appropriate. For those at
The following recommendations and conclusions
increased risk, such as patients with genetic risk factors
are based primarily on consensus and expert opin-
for endometrial cancer, patients older than 45 years, or
patients whose prolonged anovulatory cycles are associ-
ion (Level C):
ated with unopposed estrogen, initiation of therapy is Endometrial tissue sampling should be performed in
appropriate after a complete diagnostic evaluation has patients with AUB who are older than 45 years as a
been completed (see Fig. 2). Persistent bleeding despite first-line test (see Fig. 2).
therapy requires further evaluation. An appropriate trial
The American College of Obstetricians and Gyne-
of therapy will depend on the cause of the abnormal
cologists supports the adoption of the PALMCOEIN
bleeding, the risks and benefits of the therapy, the costs to
nomenclature system developed by FIGO to stan-
the patient, and the patients own desire. Many causes of
dardize the terminology used to describe AUB.
abnormal bleeding are amenable to medical management
with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, progestins, Some experts recommend transvaginal ultrasonogra-
combination oral contraceptives, a levonorgestrel intra- phy as the initial screening test for AUB and MRI as
uterine device, or tranexamic acid. For anatomic causes a second-line test to be used when the diagnosis is
of abnormal uterine bleeding, such as uterine myomas or inconclusive, when further delineation would affect
polyps, surgery may be indicated. Endometrial ablation patient management, or when coexisting uterine myo-
and resection are minimally invasive surgical options to mas are suspected.
control bleeding in women who have completed child- MRI may be useful to guide the treatment of myo-
bearing (71). mas, particularly when the uterus is enlarged, con-
tains multiple myomas, or precise myoma mapping
is of clinical importance. However, the benefits and
Summary of costs to the patient must be weighed when consider-
ing its use.
Recommendations and Persistent bleeding with a previous benign pathology,
Conclusions such as proliferative endometrium, requires further
testing to rule out nonfocal endometrial pathology or
The following recommendations and conclusions a structural pathology, such as a polyp or leiomyoma.
are based on good and consistent scientific evi-
dence (Level A):
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The MEDLINE database, the Cochrane Library, and the ricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. No part of this
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
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of Health and the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists were reviewed, and additional studies were Diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding in reproductive-aged women.
located by reviewing bibliographies of identified articles. Practice Bulletin No. 128. American College of Obstetricians and Gyne-
When reliable research was not available, expert opinions cologists. Obstet Gynecol 2012;120:197206.
from obstetriciangynecologists were used.
Studies were reviewed and evaluated for quality according
to the method outlined by the U.S. Preventive Services
Task Force:
I Evidence obtained from at least one properly
designed randomized controlled trial.
II-1 Evidence obtained from well-designed controlled
trials without randomization.
II-2 Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or
casecontrol analytic studies, preferably from more
than one center or research group.
II-3 Evidence obtained from multiple time series with or
without the intervention. Dramatic results in uncon-
trolled experiments also could be regarded as this
type of evidence.
III Opinions of respected authorities, based on clinical
experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert
committees.
Based on the highest level of evidence found in the data,
recommendations are provided and graded according to the
following categories:
Level ARecommendations are based on good and con-
sistent scientific evidence.
Level BRecommendations are based on limited or incon-
sistent scientific evidence.
Level CRecommendations are based primarily on con-
sensus and expert opinion.

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