What does PALM stand for in relation to structural causes of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB)?

PALM is an acronym used to categorize the structural causes of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). The components of PALM specifically refer to:

• Polyp: Benign growths on the endometrium (the uterine lining) that can cause bleeding due to their vascular nature.

• Adenomyosis: A condition where the endometrial tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, leading to heavy, painful periods and bleeding.

• Leiomyoma: Commonly known as uterine fibroids, these benign tumors can cause heavy menstrual bleeding and other symptoms depending on their size and location.

• Malignancy: Refers to cancers of the uterus or endometrium that can present with abnormal bleeding.

This classification is particularly important for healthcare providers in diagnosing and managing abnormal uterine bleeding, as it helps direct appropriate investigations and treatment options based on the underlying structural issues identified. Understanding these structural causes is crucial because they often require different management strategies compared to non-structural causes of abnormal bleeding.

In contrast, the other options include terms that are either non-structural causes (like Ovulatory dysfunction in other categories) or simply do not align with the established acronym of PALM,