Which of the following is a non-structural cause of AUB?

Which of the following is a non-structural cause of AUB?

• A. Ovulatory dysfunction
• B. Polyps
• C. Leiomyoma
• D. Endometrial cancer

Answer: (A)

Non-structural causes are functional problems without a discrete uterine lesion. Ovulatory dysfunction fits this because the bleeding arises from hormonal irregularities that disrupt the normal ovulation and endometrial shedding cycle, rather than from a physical growth or lesion in the uterus. When ovulation is absent or irregular, the endometrium is exposed to unopposed estrogen, leading to unpredictable and often heavy or light bleeding episodes that aren’t due to a structural abnormality. In contrast, the other options involve tangible uterine lesions or malignancy. A polyp is a growth on the endometrial lining, a leiomyoma (fibroid) is a benign tumor of the uterine muscle, and endometrial cancer is a malignant process of the lining. Each of these produces abnormal bleeding through a structural abnormality. So the non-structural, hormonally driven cause of AUB is ovulatory dysfunction.

Non-structural causes are functional problems without a discrete uterine lesion. Ovulatory dysfunction fits this because the bleeding arises from hormonal irregularities that disrupt the normal ovulation and endometrial shedding cycle, rather than from a physical growth or lesion in the uterus. When ovulation is absent or irregular, the endometrium is exposed to unopposed estrogen, leading to unpredictable and often heavy or light bleeding episodes that aren’t due to a structural abnormality.

In contrast, the other options involve tangible uterine lesions or malignancy. A polyp is a growth on the endometrial lining, a leiomyoma (fibroid) is a benign tumor of the uterine muscle, and endometrial cancer is a malignant process of the lining. Each of these produces abnormal bleeding through a structural abnormality.

So the non-structural, hormonally driven cause of AUB is ovulatory dysfunction.