Endometritis

What is Endometritis

Endometritis is irritation, soreness, or inflammation that affects the lining of the uterus (endometrium).

Infection is usually the cause of endometritis. It is important to get treatment to prevent complications. Common complications may include more severe infections and not being able to have children(infertility).

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by:

  • Bacterial infections.
  • STIs (sexually transmitted infections).
  • A miscarriage or childbirth, especially after a long labor or cesarean delivery.
  • Certain gynecological procedures. These may include dilation and curettage (D&C), hysteroscopy, or birth control (contraceptive) insertion.
  • Tuberculosis (TB).

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

  • Fever.
  • Lower abdomen (abdominal) pain.
  • Pelvis (pelvic) pain.
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding.
  • Abdominal bloating (distention) or swelling.
  • General discomfort or generally feeling ill.
  • Discomfort with bowel movements.
  • Constipation.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

  • A physical exam, including a pelvic exam.
  • Tests, such as:
    • Blood tests.
    • Removal of a sample of endometrial tissue for testing (endometrial biopsy).
    • Examining a sample of vaginal discharge under a microscope (wet prep).
    • Removal of a sample of fluid from the cervix for testing (cervical culture).
    • Surgical examination of the pelvis and abdomen.

How is this treated?

This condition is treated with:

  • Antibiotic medicines.
  • For more severe cases, hospitalization may be needed to give fluids and antibiotics directly into a vein through an IV tube.

Follow these instructions at home:

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
  • Take your antibiotic medicine as told by your health care provider. Do notstop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
  • Do not douche or have sex (including vaginal, oral, and anal sex) until your health care provider approves.
  • If your endometritis was caused by an STI, do not have sex (including vaginal, oral, and anal sex) until your partner has also been treated for the STI.
  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have pain that does not get better with medicine.
  • You have a fever.
  • You have pain with bowel movements.

Get help right away if:

  • You have abdominal swelling.
  • You have abdominal pain that gets worse.
  • You have bad-smelling vaginal discharge, or an increased amount of vaginal discharge.
  • You have abnormal vaginal bleeding.
  • You have nausea and vomiting.

Summary

  • Endometritis affects the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and is usually caused by an infection.
  • It is important to get treatment to prevent complications.
  • You have several treatment options for endometritis. Treatment may include antibiotics and IV fluids.
  • Take your antibiotic medicine as told by your health care provider. Do notstop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
  • Do notdouche or have sex (including vaginal, oral, and anal sex) until your health care provider approves.
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