Endometritis Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Endometritis refers to the inflammation of endometrium due to an infection. Endometriosis and endometritis are different medical conditions but they affect the same part of the female reproductive organ. Endometriosis is a condition in which cells similar to those of endometrium starts to grow outside of your uterine cavity Endometrium is the layer of tissue that normally covers the inside of the women’s uterus. It is the inner layer of the uterus. Hormonal changes during a woman's menstrual cycle causes the endometrium to change. Estrogen causes the endometrium to thicken, breaks down and bleeds with each woman’s menstrual cycle. During pregnancy, it helps in the nourishment of embryos. Females with the history of pelvic procedures such as dilation and curettage, C-section, hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy are at higher risk for developing endometritis. Females using intrauterine devices (IUD) for birth control can also develop inflammation of endometrium. It is not a life threatening disease but should be treated immediately to avoid the risk of complications. If left untreated, then it can cause different complications such as infertility, pelvic peritonitis, septicemia, septic shock and abscess.

Causes

Endometritis is caused by a bacterial infection. Normally the cervix keeps the bacteria out of the uterus. Cervix is the lowest part of the female reproductive system, uterus. It extends into the vagina and connects vagina with your uterus. It acts as a gateway or passage between your vagina and uterus. When the cervix is open, the risk of infection increases. It is open during delivery, C-section, miscarriage and other surgical procedures involving uterus or cervix. Certain pelvic procedures such as dilation and curettage, hysteroscopy, uterine scraping and endometrial biopsy can also cause the inflammation of endometrium. Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can also cause endometritis. The bacteria normally live in your cervix or vagina. These bacteria can also cause endometritis if they move to the uterus. Pelvic inflammatory disease is an inflammatory condition of the female reproductive organs, pelvic cavity. It can also inflame your endometrium. Endometritis can also be caused by tuberculosis and mixture of normal vaginal bacteria.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of endometritis are listed below,

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or vaginal discharge
• Abdominal swelling
• Dysmenorrhea
• Dyspareunia
• Constipation
• Fever
• Chills
• Malaise (general feeling of discomfort)
• Pelvic pain
• Pain in lower abdomen and rectum
• Pain or discomfort during bowel movement
• Fatigue

Treatment

Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment in endometritis for the removal of infection. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics in endometritis are clindamycin and gentamicin in combination therapy. Your doctor can also prescribe second or third-generation cephalosporin in combination with metronidazole. In the case of severe bacterial infections, your doctor will give you intravenous antibiotics in the hospital under his supervision. If endometritis is caused by chlamydial infection, then azithromycin 1 g orally once is very effective. Your doctor can also prescribe doxycycline 100 mg orally BID for 7 days along with azithromycin. In case of infection caused by neisseria gonorrhoeae, then your gynecologist will give you ceftriaxone in the dose of 250 mg along with azithromycin 1 g orally once daily.