Causes of inflammatory diseases of the uterus – manifestations and symptoms
Inflammation in the uterus often occurs due to the fault of pathogenic microorganisms entering its cavity. In some cases, the lesion extends to the fallopian tubes and affects the ovaries. This allows us to attribute these phenomena to a class of diseases called inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs. Inflammation of the uterus requires a woman to immediately consult a doctor to prescribe appropriate individual treatment.
What is uterine inflammation?
The inflammatory process in the uterus affects the external, muscle or mucous layer of the reproductive female organ. If treatment is not carried out and inflammation is triggered, it can reach the cervical canal of the cervix, hurt the tubes, and lead to infertility. The acute form of the disease can turn into a chronic form, the treatment of which will be more complicated and require more time. One of the causes of this ailment is sexually transmitted infections, as a result of unprotected sex.
Symptoms
The first signs of uterine inflammation will become a sharp increase in body temperature, which can reach 40 degrees. Often women complain of pain in the abdomen, blood appears in the discharge. Chills are possible, secretions change color, get an unpleasant odor. Postpartum inflammatory processes occur several days after the birth of the baby. The chronic form passes almost imperceptibly.
Chronic uterine inflammation
Chronic inflammatory disease of the uterus is manifested by the formation of small cysts, atrophy or hypertrophy, which indicate damage to the endometrium. One of the symptoms is considered to be a violation of the cycle of menstruation, the appearance of bleeding. In a chronic illness, even conception is possible, but the embryo will be difficult to implant in the affected endometrium, which will not allow the fetus to form normally and can lead to pregnancy problems. The chronic form is manifested by purulent discharge, aching pain in the abdomen.
Acute inflammation
It is called acute endocervicitis, in most cases it affects the muscle layer of the cervix, which leads to an increase in mucus secretions, which mixes with epithelial cells and exudate, reduces the body’s ability to protect against infection and accelerates the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Symptoms are general weakness, pain in the lower abdomen, fever, pus in the discharge, leukocytosis, an increase in the size of the uterus, pain during palpation.
Causes
Uterine disease occurs due to infections caused by fungal, bacterial, viral, and sexually transmitted infections. Among the common pathogens of inflammation, gonococci and chlamydia are noted, followed by E. coli and mycoplasmas, close the list of pathogenic microorganisms, which include staphylococci, streptococci, spirochetes, as well as the herpes virus.
The occurrence and development of inflammation is also possible for traumatic reasons. By such is meant mechanical damage during gynecological procedures with non-compliance with hygiene rules. The inflammatory process can occur after an abortion or if the curettage was due to a missed pregnancy. Severe birth can lead to uterine damage.
Caesarean section doubles the risk of inflammation. The risk increases even more with weak contractile function of the uterus. Women should remember that in the days of menstruation, their body is vulnerable to all kinds of infections, so at this time you should refrain from sexual intercourse. The prolonged use of intrauterine devices leads to the inflammatory process.
Types of uterine inflammation
With damage to the mucous membrane (inner layer of the uterus), it is the occurrence of endometritis. If the inflammation passes to the muscle layer, then this is metroendometritis, which may be caused by circulatory problems, stagnant processes in the small pelvis. In this case, fever, pus and blood in the secretions are possible. Tubes affected by the disease lead to salpingitis. Inflammation of the appendages can go to the peritoneum. This is called perimetritis, which is recognized by a sensation of tension in the lower abdomen, painful urination.
Inflammation of the uterus during pregnancy
The greatest danger is inflammation of the female organ during child bearing. The disease often leads to thrombosis, placental abruption, early withdrawal of amniotic fluid and other phenomena that threaten the fetal life. In pregnant women, inflammation of the uterus is probably more likely. Treatment is possible only after finding out the cause and putting a smear for analysis to determine the type of pathogenic bacteria that provoked inflammation.
Diagnostics
To determine the cause of inflammation, the gynecologist must conduct a thorough examination. He will allow him to understand the degree of damage and what pathological effect it had on the organ. An analysis of a smear from the cervix will reveal pathogens. If a more detailed study is needed, the woman will be recommended to use other examination methods, to do pelvic ultrasound, biopsy, colposcopy. Treatment of the inflammatory process in the uterus should begin immediately.
Treatment
Antibiotics are part of the mandatory treatment program. The gynecologist also prescribes hormones, vitamins, drugs to improve metabolism, immunostimulants, antimicrobials, for complex therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures are possible, such as massage, electric currents, ultrasound, cool compresses to relieve pain during inflammation. It is advisable to visit a gynecologist and take repeated tests to make sure that the infection is completely eliminated. It is also necessary to conduct treatment with a sexual partner.
Complications
The worst complication is the spread of infection in the female genital organ, as a result sepsis is possible. If the disease goes into a chronic form, then accumulation of pus in the uterus is possible. A neglected disease at a certain stage causes severe pain in the lower abdomen, leads to high fever, changes in the menstrual cycle and causes infertility. Inflammatory diseases of the uterus require timely diagnosis and treatment to avoid unpleasant and dangerous consequences.