Endometritis is an inflammatory disease of the endometrium, namely, the inner layer of the uterine mucosa. Often occurs along with inflammation of the muscle layer - myometritis. Throughout the menstrual cycle, the endometrium changes its structure, growing anew after each rejection, to prepare the ground for the attachment of a fertilized egg.
Normally, the uterine cavity is reliably protected from infection. However, under certain conditions, pathological microorganisms still penetrate into the uterine cavity, followed by the development of acute endometritis.
Often such a violation leads to infertility, miscarriages, complications during pregnancy and childbirth. In addition, deterioration in well-being can be observed in the postpartum period. To determine how to treat endometritis, you need to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis to make the correct diagnosis and determine the characteristics of the course of the disease.
Feature of the disease
Before moving on to the symptoms and treatment of endometritis, you need to understand exactly what this disease is. The uterus has 3 layers, the pathology develops in the inner layer, which also consists of 2 parts.
Superficial is rejected with each menstrual cycle, and a new one grows from the basal part. During pregnancy, the surface part atrophies, and the formation of membranes involved in the development of the fetus occurs. Endometritis is characterized by inflammation of the basal layer, since the functional layer is constantly updated during menstruation. In a normal state, the cervical canal prevents the penetration of pathogens, and the mucosa is updated to prevent deep penetration into the layers of the uterus.
Inflammation develops as a result of damage to the mucosa, when its protective functions decrease, and there is also a deterioration in immunity. The acute form often occurs after previous abortions, childbirth, and many other manipulations that are performed on the uterus. The chronic form is formed with untreated acute endometritis. Often, the inflammatory process passes to the adjacent layers of the uterus. The disease itself is not very dangerous, however, if the symptoms of endometritis are not noticed in time, the treatment will be long, and dangerous complications may also develop.
Classification
Depending on the symptoms, endometritis in women can vary significantly, however, with the course of the chronic form, there are no clear signs. According to the existing classification, the following types of diseases are distinguished:
- spicy;
- subacute;
- chronic;
- exacerbation of chronic inflammation.
The acute course of the disease can be focal or diffuse, and in the chronic form, hypertrophic, atrophic, and also cystic type of inflammation can be observed. The symptoms and treatment of endometritis largely depend on determining the exact type of pathology, so the doctor must initially conduct a full range of diagnostics.
Causes of occurrence
Depending on the cause of inflammation, the symptoms and treatment of endometritis (pictured) can vary significantly. The main provoking factor is the defeat of the layers of the endometrium and the penetration of pathogens. For the development of the disease, the penetration of pathogens is important, as well as the decrease in protective mechanisms. Infection can spread in several ways:
- from the cervix or vagina;
- by lymphogenous method;
- hematogenous way.
Depending on the causative agents of the disease, it is divided into specific and nonspecific endometritis. A specific type is associated with the reproduction in the uterine cavity of pathogens. The non-specific appearance is due to the use of an intrauterine device, irradiation of the uterine area, as well as a violation of the state of the microflora, hormonal changes in the absence of pathogens.
Often at risk are patients who:
- had previously had an abortion or miscarriage;
- being in the period of the menstrual cycle;
- havingtraumatic injuries.
Endometritis can occur even if douching is done incorrectly. Also at risk are women who wear an intrauterine device, suffer from chronic inflammation of the cervix, and also have candidiasis.
It is worth noting that the violation of the rules for the use of tampons is important, which can also provoke the occurrence of toxic shock syndrome. Another cause of endometriosis can be chronic stress, which greatly increases the risk of infection.
Main symptoms
According to the nature of the course, acute and chronic forms of the disease are distinguished. Symptoms of endometritis in women with an acute course appear already in the first week after childbirth, abortion and trauma to the uterine mucosa. Among the main signs of the course of pathology, the following can be distinguished:
- deterioration of general well-being;
- drawing pains in the lower abdomen;
- temperature increase;
- malodorous discharge;
- uterine bleeding.
The very first symptoms of endometritis require immediate treatment, which is why you need to immediately undergo a comprehensive diagnosis. The therapy is aimed at eliminating the infectious process and preventing the transition to the chronic stage.
The acute period lasts for about a week or a little longer. With timely therapy, you can achieve a good result.
Symptoms and treatment of chronic endometritis severaldifferent from the acute course. Among the main signs of such a violation are the following:
- irregularity of menstruation and their duration;
- increased soreness;
- change the number of allocations;
- bleeding from the genitals outside the menstrual period.
The severity of the course of the pathological process is determined by the depth and duration of the developed changes in the structure of the endometrium.
Diagnostics
Before determining how to treat endometritis, you need to carry out a comprehensive diagnosis, which includes:
- bacterial culture to detect pathogens;
- ultrasound scan;
- hysteroscopy;
- morphological evaluation;
- PCR diagnostics.
General clinical tests will determine the course of inflammation in a woman's body. When conducting ultrasound diagnostics, the doctor can assess the presence of pathological changes in the uterus, as well as vascular disorders. When conducting a diagnosis, it is possible to identify not only endometritis, but also other pathologies of the ovaries and uterus.
Features of treatment
Depending on the symptoms present, the treatment of uterine endometritis is selected strictly individually for each woman. With a primary infection, the disease can be cured quite simply, most importantly, antibiotic therapy can be started in a timely manner. This will avoid the development of serious complications. Get rid ofthe chronic form is much more difficult. If there are characteristic symptoms of uterine endometritis, only a doctor can prescribe treatment. It should include the following therapies:
- antibacterial effect;
- drugs to normalize blood circulation in the uterus;
- anti-inflammatory and painkillers;
- normalization of hormonal levels;
- physiotherapy;
- traditional medicine;
- spa treatment.
In the presence of acute symptoms of endometritis in women, treatment begins with the appointment of broad-spectrum antibiotics, as this will prevent the subsequent spread of the infectious process. With an asymptomatic course of the disease and the risk of infertility, it is necessary to apply the entire range of therapeutic procedures, which will prevent the occurrence of dangerous complications.
Depending on the symptoms of endometritis, treatment in women is carried out strictly individually, the desire to become pregnant and have a baby in the future is necessarily taken into account.
Medications
If there are characteristic symptoms of endometritis, treatment is carried out in a hospital with the obligatory observance of physical and psychological calmness, as well as compliance with the following regimens:
- bed;
- drinking;
- food;
- rest and sleep.
The basis of drug therapy is the appointment of drugs aimed at eliminating the infection and provoking factors, which is whythe following funds are assigned:
- antibiotics - Amoxicillin, Metronidazole, Tinidazole;
- antifungal agents - Flucostat, Clotrimazole;
- antiviral - "Acyclovir";
- drugs for the normalization of metabolism - "Actovegin", "Riboxin";
- antihistamines - Diphenhydramine, Tavegil, Suprastin;
- probiotics - "Bifitrilak", "Bifiform", "Lactusan";
- immunomodulators - "Cycloferon", "Likopid";
- painkillers - "Nurofen", "Analgin";
- vitamin complexes.
To eliminate the symptoms of endometritis, the chronic type is treated with antimicrobial, hormonal, immunomodulatory drugs. In addition, it is necessary to carry out restorative procedures, as well as sanitary-resort therapy.
Physiotherapy
After the acute symptoms subside (pictured), the treatment of endometritis in women is carried out using physiotherapy techniques. Physiotherapy can be effective in the acute and chronic stages of the disease. In a hospital, magnetotherapy and electrophoresis are most often used. During the first, the magnetic field affects the body, normalizes the reflex function of tissues and organs. Thanks to the use of such a technique, it is possible to eliminate pain, inflammation, increase immunity, and also speed up metabolism.
Therapy with magnetic waves is carried out at the subacute or chronic stage of the course of the disease. Sessions last for 10-15 minutes, the course of therapy is indicated for 10-20 days. When performing such a procedure, a woman may experience dizziness and slight malaise, however, this is not at all dangerous.
For the electrophoresis procedure, a current is used, which contributes to a faster penetration of medications to the affected area. For the procedure, charged electrodes are used, which are located in such a way that the uterus is between them. This technique allows you to eliminate inflammation and swelling in just a few days of regular use.
Physiotherapeutic treatment is indicated at any stage of the course of the disease. In the acute form, physiotherapy is required only at the recovery stage. Contraindications include the presence of tumors, pregnancy, and exacerbation of the inflammatory process.
Folk remedies
To eliminate the symptoms of endometritis, folk remedies are used as adjunctive therapy. Various medicinal herbs are used to eliminate the signs of the disease, but they are not able to kill viruses and bacteria.
When symptoms of endometritis occur in women, treatment with alternative methods should be started immediately, since it is difficult to achieve the desired result at later stages. Sea buckthorn oil, which is used as tampons, helps very well. The course of therapy continues for 10-12 days. Sea buckthorn oil helps eliminate inflammation and promotes tissue healing.
Inside you can take a decoction of fern leaves, andalso a mixture of honey, aloe and wine. Therapy must be carried out only in a complex, as this will achieve a more positive result. In order to qualitatively eliminate the symptoms of endometritis, treatment with folk remedies can be carried out only after consulting with your doctor.
Surgery
Surgery is required only if the pathology was provoked by the presence of an intrauterine device or the remains of a fetal egg after a miscarriage or abortion. Surgical intervention is also indicated if, after delivery, the afterbirth remains in the uterine cavity.
To clean the uterus, curettage is shown, and then a course of saline solutions is prescribed to normalize the temperature.
The course of the disease during pregnancy and after childbirth
This disease poses a serious danger during childbearing. Timely diagnosis and treatment will save the life of the baby, otherwise, as the disease develops, the fetus may die.
The inner lining of the uterus provides a normal state during pregnancy. Any changes adversely affect the development of the fetus and can provoke very serious consequences. Endometritis is very dangerous penetration of infection into the uterine cavity. A prolonged infectious lesion can provoke the destruction of placental protection, damage to tissues and organs of the fetus.
This is fraught with improper tissue formation and the development of a more dangerous congenitaldiseases - endometriosis. In addition, there is a release of toxic substances that can change the course of pregnancy.
In order to avoid undesirable consequences and complications, women need to be examined even before planning a pregnancy. Among the main symptoms of endometritis are pain in the lower abdomen, fever, purulent discharge. That is why, when the first signs appear, you need to consult a doctor who will conduct an examination and prescribe appropriate therapy.
Postpartum endometritis is a fairly common disease and occurs as a complication. Diagnose it by conducting an ultrasound examination. Among the main reasons for the occurrence of such a violation are the following:
- long birth period;
- large fruit and its wrong position;
- preeclampsia;
- narrow pelvis;
- old-term women;
- early birth;
- premature placental abruption;
- presence of sexually transmitted diseases.
When symptoms of endometritis occur after childbirth, treatment begins with an ultrasound diagnosis. Examination of women at risk is especially required, which include those who have had previous abortions, have chronic pyelonephritis and tonsillitis, as well as complications after delivery.
Possible Complications
Lack of treatment or improperly selected therapy can lead to variousproblems and pathological conditions, in particular:
- spread of infection to the reproductive organs;
- ovarian cyst formation;
- uterine polyps, leiomyoma;
- Miscarriage;
- infertility.
To prevent the development of dangerous complications, you must strictly follow all the recommendations and instructions of the attending physician.
Prophylaxis
In order to avoid the development of endometritis, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures, which consist in the timely treatment of inflammatory and infectious processes, sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, it is important to prevent abortions, to observe thorough hygiene of the genitals. It is important to regularly undergo gynecological examinations so that pathology can be detected in the initial stages.
