In medical practice, calcifications are defined as deposits of calcium s alts. Moreover, this can occur in the cavity of various organs. Often, calcifications are found in the uterus.
The uterus is an unpaired hollow organ that consists of three layers. The inner layer is the endometrial, represented by powerful muscles. The widest middle layer is the myometrium. The outer part of the uterine structure is the peritoneum.
Description
Calcifications in the uterus are many times more common than on the peritoneal layer or in the myometrium. They are also often found on the cervix. In each of these cases, calcification is a certain kind of protective reaction of the body. S alts, which have inorganic properties, encapsulate areas in which tissue decay is observed. This prevents the spread of the necrosis process to other areas. The formation of calcium deposits is secondary, the disease in the full sense of the term is notis.
Very common calcifications in the uterus. Medical statistics report that calcium deposits are formed in about 30% of all women, and in most cases the process proceeds without any external manifestations.
Reasons for education
All causes of calcium deposits can be divided into several groups. The first group includes the so-called trigger factors of occurrence, that is, those that directly cause the formation of calcification. Among them:
- Losses of the organs located in the small pelvis, of a traumatic nature. Such lesions include, among other things, diagnostic curettage, surgical abortions, hysteroscopy and other similar manipulations. They lead to an increased likelihood of invasion of uterine tissues by pathogenic microorganisms. The greatest danger is cavitary operations performed on the organ.
- Predisposition to the development of infectious and inflammatory lesions of a genetic and other nature. For example, endometriosis or endometritis can develop under the influence of burdened heredity. If a woman has at least one sick relative in the ascending line in five generations, then the probability of calcification in women increases to 30%, if there are two sick relatives, then the probability increases to 50%. Fortunately, the pathology is not inherited in a dominant or autosomal recessive way. Only features of the system can be transferredreproductions.
- Stenosis of the cervical canal and genital tract. Such violations cause menstrual blood and other secretions to reflux back into the uterine cavity, resulting in stagnation of these substances, as a result, the likelihood of developing an infectious lesion (most often endometritis) increases significantly.
- Poor environmental conditions in the woman's place of residence. Environmental factors can lead to adenomyosis, which is a risk factor for calcium buildup.
- Irregular menstruation. In the vaginal cavity there is a large number of various bacteria, some of which are pathogenic, capable of infecting tissues and organs (human papillomavirus, herpetic agents, mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas, staphylococci, streptococci and other representatives of the pyogenic flora). When menstruation is delayed, blood stagnation occurs, which contributes to the formation of an environment comfortable for the reproduction of bacterial agents.
- Allergic reactions to internal and external factors. Most often, in such a case, the alimentary cause is meant, that is, malnutrition and the entry of antigens into the systemic circulation.
- Excessively early or late onset of sexual activity. Both options are undesirable for women's he alth. With a late onset of sexual activity, the aggressiveness of microorganisms increases. With excessively early - dystrophic processes are initiated in the pelvic organs. As a result, the risk of calcification increases.
- Late delivery. May affectnegatively on the state of the uterus, often cause anatomical changes that can lead to the death of uterine tissues (complete, partial).
- Pathological changes in the endocrine system. These also include diabetes mellitus, disorders of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and other pathologies.
- Pathological changes in the reproductive system. First of all, infectious diseases are provoking factors: adnexitis, endometritis and others.
- Uterine scar after cesarean. Calcifications can occur on the scar, which arose as a result of abdominal operations on the organ.
- Decrease in local, general immunity. Unfavorable environment, stress, heavy physical exertion (provoking excessive production of corticosteroids), frequent viral respiratory diseases, hypothermia.
Defensive reaction of the body
As already mentioned, calcifications in the uterus are a protective reaction of the body. The mechanism of formation of calcium deposits is based on the invasion of uterine tissues of an infectious or viral nature. As soon as an organ is damaged by a microorganism or virus, the likelihood of developing purulent inflammation increases dramatically. In such a case, encapsulation of necrotic tissues is required. It is this role that calcifications of the scar on the uterus after cesarean perform.
Indirect factors
The second group of causes of pathology is usually attributed to factors that indirectly determine the onset of the processdeposit formation. Among them are:
- Alcohol abuse, smoking. These factors negatively affect the state of tissues, immunity.
- Irrational nutrition that reduces immunity.
- Intensive loss of calcium ions from bone structures.
- Obesity. Being overweight is an increased risk factor.
- Increased levels of calcium s alts in the blood. This situation is abnormal, it is fraught with the development of calcification not only in the uterus, but also in other organs and tissues. This factor is often provocative in the formation of calcifications in the mammary glands, prostate gland, kidneys, lungs, and aorta. The uterus in this case is subjected to violations less often, however, in each such case, we can talk about multiple lesions of the organ.
- Stressful situations. Against the background of stress, general, local immunity decreases, as there is an increased production of cortisol, adrenaline, norepinephrine by the adrenal glands.
The listed factors are not the only ones that provoke the occurrence of calcifications. This should be taken into account when determining the etiology of the disease.
What is calcification, now it's clear. Consider the symptoms.
Symptomatics
Calcifications in the uterus practically do not show any symptoms. The presence of weak pulling pains in the lower abdomen may indicate the process of s alt deposition.
But, as a rule, in most cases, calcium depositsdiscovered incidentally during research for other pathologies or conditions. Most often, with calcification, symptoms of the underlying pathology are detected, which has become a provocateur of the formation of calcifications.
In this case, the list of possible symptoms is very extensive. Practice shows that most often the cause is endometritis and endometriosis. It is these two diseases that cause the onset of calcification.
An appointment with a gynecologist at a antenatal clinic should be made if there is a suspicion of the development of a pathology.
Main signs of inflammation
The main signs of the process of inflammation in the mucous membranes of the uterus are:
- Pain in the lower abdomen, which can be of varying intensity. When the process is complicated, pains of a shooting, aching, pulling character prevail. The severity of discomfort is directly dependent on the degree of aggressiveness of the main pathogen, the general state of immunity, and the location of the lesion. Discomfort can radiate to the projection of the uterus, lower back, legs, inguinal region.
- The appearance of bloody discharge that has an unpleasant odor. In some cases, which is extremely rare, the exudate may consist entirely of pus. As a rule, the discharge has a sharp putrid odor and the color of meat slops. They are abundant in nature.
- Violation of the cycle of menstruation up to a delay of a week. This situation is not normal.
- Elevated to febrile andabove body temperature. If the disease is chronic, then relatively mild hyperthermia may occur.
- Symptoms of general intoxication: vomiting, nausea, dizziness, pain in the head.
- Deviations in the reproductive function of women. Fertility is not excluded, but may be reduced.
Most often, calcium deposits occur against the background of long-term chronic endometritis, and therefore the clinical picture can be blurred. In such cases, an urgent appointment with a gynecologist at the antenatal clinic is required.
Diagnosis of calcifications
Gynecologists are engaged in diagnosing deviations, but this is not a primary task. The main task is to identify the underlying pathology, which was the provocateur of the process of formation of calcifications. Most often, such a pathology is endometritis, but not in all cases. Therefore, the patient must be carefully examined.
History taking
The initial appointment involves the collection of individual and family history. The patient should describe her complaints, the statute of limitations for their appearance, nature.
Types of studies
Then, a bimanual examination is required, an examination of the genital organs with the help of mirrors. Also required:
- General laboratory examination of blood samples to identify the classic picture of inflammation, accompanied by an increase in the level of leukocytes, their sedimentation rate.
- Biochemical study of venousblood.
- Study of organs located in the small pelvis, using ultrasound. Calcifications of the uterus on ultrasound will be noticeable.
- X-ray of organs located in the small pelvis. Both benign and malignant neoplasias can calcify.
- ELISA, PCR diagnostics. Allows you to identify the main causative agent of the pathology, if it has an infectious etiology.
- Smears from the cervical canal, vagina.
- Bacteriological cultures for the presence of nutrient media.
These studies are sufficient to identify the root causes of calcifications. In some cases, CT, MRI are indicated.
Is it possible to remove calcifications in the uterine cavity? Let's figure it out.
Therapy
Calcifications are not subject to treatment. Therapy of the underlying pathology is necessary. Calcifications are not a disease, they do not carry dangers in themselves, but only indicate the presence of the disease. Calcified areas are not prone to progression, so you can not remove them, but live calmly with them.
Now it has become clear what calcifications are.
