Endometritis: how does it manifest itself?

Endometritis is a rather serious inflammatory pathology in which the inner layer of the uterus, called the endometrium, is affected. Often, with such a disease, the inflammatory reaction over time extends to the muscle layer. In this case, we speak of endomyometritis. This pathological process can occur in an acute or chronic form. At the same time, the accompanying clinical manifestations will vary significantly. As you know, the ability to conceive and bear a child will directly depend on the state of the endometrium. In this regard, such a disease can cause placental insufficiency, postpartum hemorrhage, infertility and many other dangerous complications. Based on the foregoing, it becomes clear why an appointment with a gynecologist is so necessary when the first complaints appear. You can get an appointment with a specialist by calling +7 (499) 519-32-56​ or by visiting a medical facility in person.

Every year, a very large number of women face endometritis. In the vast majority of cases, this pathological process occurs among female representatives of reproductive age. In addition to problems with pregnancy, this pathology in the distant future can cause adhesive disease, sclerosis of the uterine cavity, polyps and endometrial cysts. In addition, such an inflammatory reaction often extends to higher gynecological organs, such as the ovaries.

Acute and chronic endometritis is the result of exposure to the uterus of infectious flora. In this case, the inflammatory reaction can be triggered by a wide variety of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Separately, it is customary to distinguish specific and nonspecific forms of this disease. The non-specific form is much more common. It is caused by streptococci, staphylococci, and so on. As for the specific form, its causative agents are Mycobacterium tuberculosis, gonococci, chlamydia, herpesviruses and many other representatives of the infectious flora.

In the vast majority of cases, acute inflammation of the endometrium is associated with intrauterine manipulations. Here we mean abortions, diagnostic curettage, hysteroscopy and so on. It is worth noting that childbirth is also considered as a provoking factor. According to statistics, this disease occurs in about ten percent of women after natural delivery. After a caesarean section, this figure is already forty percent.

More specifically, the main predisposing factor is blood clots, remnants of the ovum or placenta that have not been completely removed from the uterine cavity. They act as a favorable environment for the active reproduction of the infectious flora, followed by the occurrence of an acute inflammatory reaction. Significantly increases the likelihood of developing acute endometritis with a decrease in the level of immune protection, hormonal disorders, including due to self-selection of oral contraceptives, installed intrauterine devices, and so on.

Chronic inflammation is the result of an insufficiently well-treated acute pathological process. It is interesting that such a disease often proceeds in an erased form and is not accompanied by severe clinical manifestations. However, it steadily leads to progressive morphological changes in the endometrium, which include its thickening, the appearance of serous plaque and hemorrhages, as well as fibrous adhesions.

It is chronic endometritis that most often causes infertility, spontaneous abortion, various complications during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.

Symptoms indicating endometritis

Symptoms in the acute form of this disease are much more pronounced. On average, they occur three or four days after infection. First of all, a woman pays attention to the appearance of pain in the lower abdomen. Without fail, there are complaints of fever, general weakness, painful urination.

Another characteristic symptom is discharge from the uterus, which has a bloody or serous-purulent character. During a gynecological examination, you can find that the uterus is enlarged and moderately painful. The average duration of this pathological process is from seven to ten days, after which recovery occurs or it becomes chronic.

In the chronic form, symptoms such as excessively abundant or too scarce menstrual flow, acyclic bleeding, aching pain in the lower abdomen, including during sexual contact, come to the fore in the clinical picture. The presence of pathological secretions is often noted. As we said earlier, a chronic inflammatory reaction often leads to the formation of cysts and polypous growths.

Diagnosis of inflammation — do I need an appointment with a gynecologist?

To diagnose this disease, first of all, it is necessary to conduct a gynecological examination. It is for this that an appointment with a gynecologist is necessary when the first complaints appear. Additionally, a general blood test, a bacteriological examination of a smear are prescribed. In chronic inflammation, ultrasound and diagnostic curettage should be performed, followed by histology of the material obtained.

Treatment and prevention of endometritis development

In the acute form of endometritis, antibiotics are prescribed, detoxification measures are taken. In the event that the inflammatory reaction was caused by fungal flora, antifungal agents are indicated. In addition, immunomodulators, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs are used. In the treatment of the chronic form, almost exactly the same approach is used. However, physiotherapeutic procedures, hormonal and metabolic drugs are additionally indicated.

The principles of prevention come down to avoiding abortions, observing hygiene measures, using barrier methods of contraception (condoms), and so on.