What is the cause of prolonged menstrual bleeding for 4 weeks in a patient with an Intrauterine Device (IUD) in place for 2 years?

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Differential Diagnosis for Daily Menstrual Bleeding with IUD

  • Single most likely diagnosis
    • Intrauterine device (IUD) malfunction or expulsion: The IUD may not be in the correct position or may have been expelled, leading to a return of menstrual bleeding.
  • Other Likely diagnoses
    • Uterine polyps or fibroids: Growth of polyps or fibroids in the uterus can cause irregular and prolonged menstrual bleeding, even with an IUD in place.
    • Hormonal imbalance: Changes in hormone levels can affect menstrual bleeding patterns, potentially causing daily bleeding.
    • Infection or inflammation: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or other infections can cause bleeding irregularities.
  • Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
    • Uterine cancer: Although rare, uterine cancer can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding and should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
    • Ovarian cancer: Similar to uterine cancer, ovarian cancer can also cause abnormal bleeding and should not be missed.
    • Ectopic pregnancy: Although the patient has an IUD, there is still a small chance of pregnancy, and ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening if not diagnosed promptly.
  • Rare diagnoses
    • Von Willebrand disease: A bleeding disorder that can cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
    • Uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM): A rare condition where there is an abnormal connection between arteries and veins in the uterus, leading to bleeding.
    • Systemic diseases (e.g., bleeding disorders, liver disease): Certain systemic diseases can affect menstrual bleeding patterns, although these are less common causes of daily menstrual bleeding with an IUD.

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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