Dysfunctional uterine bleeding - association with bilateral tubal ligation?

Abstract

Objective: To find an association between Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) and prior Bilateral tubal ligation (BTL). Design: Observational study. Place and duration of study: Unit II, Lady Willingdon Hospital, Lahore, from August to December 2006. Patients and methods: Fifty two patients between the ages of 35 to 46 with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) were studied. Exclusion criteria included intrauterine device (IUD), evidence of pregnancy, leiomyoma or ovarian pathology on sonography, uterine size of greater than 10 cm, medical disorders and hormonal therapy. All patients were worked up for underlying cause of AUB, assessed for BTL and divided in two groups. Group A of 27 patients with previous history of BTL and Group B of 25 patients without previous history of BTL. Results: In group A (with prior BTL), 22 patients ( 81%) had DUB as compared to 12 (48%) in group B (without prior BTL) and this difference was statistically significant ( p< 0.05 ). Conclusion: In women undergoing diagnostic work up for AUB the likelihood of DUB being the underlying cause is greater if they have prior BTL.