Endometritis

Endometritis is a disease that causes inflammation of the lining of a woman’s uterus.

The uterus or womb is the main reproductive organ in women, consisting of the body and cervix, and is where the fetus develops during pregnancy. The mucous membrane is called the endometrium.

The disease is usually not serious. It is usually cured after administration of antibiotic therapy.

Untreated infections can cause damage to the reproductive organs such as sterility, as well as other generalized health problems.

Endometritis – what are the symptoms

• Abdominal swelling;
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding;
• Abnormal vaginal discharge;
• Constipation or discomfort during< strong> bowel movement;
• Fever;
• Generalized feeling of being unwell;
• Pelvic and lower abdominal pain;

What are the causes?

The disease can be caused by:

• Chlamydia;
• Gonorrhea;
• Tuberculosis;
• Infections resulting from a combination of normal vaginal bacteria.

The clinical condition is more likely to develop after childbirth or after abortion, especially after prolonged labor or caesarean section.

Any procedure that involves penetrating the uterus through its cervix increases the risk of developing the disease, as it provides an opportunity for bacterial invasion.

Inflammation of the endometrium can develop simultaneously with other infections in the pelvic area, such as cercivitis /inflammation of the cervix.

Like these infections, they may not cause their own symptoms.

All women have a normal vaginal microflora consisting of numerous bacteria. The risk of disease increases as this natural bacterial population changes after a life event.

This is more likely to happen after the following events:

• Miscarriage;

• Childbirth, especially with protracted such or caesarean section;

• Medical procedures involving entering the uterus through its cervix such as:

– Hysteroscopy;
– Placement of an intrauterine device;
– Dilation and curettage – abrasion of the uterine lining;

What are the complications?

Complications and severe illness may occur if the infection is not effectively treated with antibiotics.

Possible complications are:

• Infertility;
• Pelvic peritonitis – generalized infection of the pelvis;
• Collection of pus /abscesses/ in the pelvis or uterus;
• Septicemia – bacterial invasion of the blood;
• Septic shock – an infection of the blood that causes very low blood pressure;

Septicemia is a rare and severe infection in which the deterioration of the patient’s condition occurs very quickly.

Septic shock is an emergency and life-threatening condition. Both clinical conditions require immediate hospitalization and treatment.

Treatment of endometritis

The disease is treated by administering antibiotic therapy.

The sexual partner may also need to be treated if the attending physician determines the presence of a sexually transmitted disease. It is important to complete the entire prescribed course of treatment.

For more severe and complicated cases intravenous infusion of fluids and hospital stay may be required.

The forecasts are generally very good. The disease resolved with antibiotics without any further problems.

But if timely treatment is not applied, the woman may have fertility problems.

Prevention

You can reduce the risk of developing the disease during childbirth, abortion or any other gynecological procedure by doing the following:

• Make sure the doctor uses sterile equipment and instruments during delivery or surgery;

• It is necessary to take or require intravenous antibiotics as a precaution during a cesarean section or just before the operation begins.