Are increased parity, dysmenorrhea, and history of tubal ligation (tubectomy) risk factors for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB)?

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Last updated: November 18, 2025View editorial policy

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Risk Factors for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

No, increased parity, dysmenorrhea, and history of tubectomy are NOT established risk factors for abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) based on current evidence.

Understanding AUB Risk Factors

The provided evidence does not identify parity, dysmenorrhea, or tubectomy as risk factors for AUB. Instead, the literature focuses on a systematic classification of AUB causes rather than demographic or procedural risk factors 1, 2.

What Actually Causes AUB

The PALM-COEIN classification system categorizes AUB etiologies into:

Structural causes (PALM):

  • Polyps
  • Adenomyosis
  • Leiomyomas (fibroids)
  • Malignancy and hyperplasia 1, 2, 3

Non-structural causes (COEIN):

  • Coagulopathy (especially von Willebrand disease)
  • Ovulatory dysfunction (such as polycystic ovaries)
  • Endometrial disorders
  • Iatrogenic causes (including IUDs, corticosteroids, antipsychotic or antiepileptic drugs)
  • Not yet classified 1, 2, 4

Actual Risk Factors Identified in Evidence

Age-related factors:

  • Structural causes of uterine bleeding increase as women age 4
  • Women older than 45 years require endometrial biopsy due to increased endometrial cancer risk 1

Systemic conditions:

  • Thyroid disease
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Blood coagulation disorders
  • Psychological stress 4

Important Caveats

Dysmenorrhea is a symptom, not a risk factor - it may coexist with conditions causing AUB (like adenomyosis or fibroids) but does not independently predict AUB 5.

Parity and tubectomy are not mentioned in any of the contemporary classification systems or evaluation frameworks for AUB 1, 2, 3. The prevalence of AUB is estimated at 35% or higher in the general population, without stratification by parity or surgical history 1.

References

Research

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.

The Medical clinics of North America, 2023

Research

Abnormal uterine bleeding and its causes. Literature review.

Polski merkuriusz lekarski : organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego, 2024

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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