Dysfunctional uterine bleeding and prior life stress.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) that occurs between menarche and menopause is often described but poorly understood. Relatively few studies have tried to associate DUB with life change and stress. In this present case-control study, questionnaires measuring life change events and self-scored life stress were administered to 26 patients with DUB and 31 controls. The participants were matched for age, gravidity, and contraceptive use. The participants were all aged between 18 and 35 years, and none were perimenopausal. A statistically significant relationship was found between DUB and recent prior life changes and experienced stress from those changes. In particular, personal-social and health stresses showed the widest differences between the patients with DUB and controls. These findings persisted when statistical corrections were made for use of various contraception devices. This study may help to focus on a more specific cause of DUB. In addition, it may assist the family physician in diagnosing and treating this condition.