Endometritis acute: symptoms and treatment

One of the causes of female infertility is acute endometritis. The causes of this disease are diverse, but most often it is a consequence of gynecological trauma. Progression of the pathological process in the body is dangerous by the development of complications. That is why it is important at an early stage to be able to recognize the ailment.

What is endometritis?

Endometrium is the functional membrane of the uterus, which changes its structure during the menstrual cycle. Every month, it re-grows and matures, preparing to attach an ovum impregnated earlier. If pregnancy does not occur, the functional membrane is rejected. Normally, the uterine cavity is reliably protected from penetration of pathogenic flora. But under certain conditions, the infection can easily get into the genital organ, provoking an inflammatory reaction - endometritis. This disease requires immediate treatment. Lack of timely therapy can lead to further spread of the infection.

By the nature of the flow, acute and chronic endometritis is isolated . Each form of the disease has a characteristic clinical picture and requires certain treatment. More details in this article will be told about the acute endometrium.

Description of the disease

By acute endometritis is meant the primary inflammatory process in the inner layer of the uterus. Its development is usually facilitated by various gynecological manipulations. The accumulation of blood clots, incomplete removal of the placenta or the remains of the fetal egg - all these factors create favorable conditions for the development of the infectious process.

Endometritis acute is manifested by severe pain in the lower abdominal area, secretions from the vagina with an unpleasant odor. Some people have a fever, there is discomfort during urination. Especially severe course of the disease is observed in patients who use intrauterine spirals. The first symptoms of an ailment are the reason for an immediate medical attention. With properly selected therapy, treatment ends in complete recovery.

The main causes of the disease

Endometritis acute develops exclusively in the functional layer of the uterus. This is due to damage to its structures. As a result, the pathogenic flora can freely penetrate into the depths of the organ. The very mechanical damage to the inner shell of the uterus can be caused by:

• Scraping after abortion ;
• Inaccurate syringing;
• Introduction of the IUD;
• Sounding of the uterine cavity;
• Examination of fallopian tubes.

Endometrite belongs to the category of polyethiologic diseases. A whole group of pathogens contributes to its development. Sometimes only one of its representatives prevails. The most common pathogens of the disease are the following: streptococcus group B, E. coli, chlamydia, proteus, mycoplasmas and klebsiella.

It should be noted that in the body of a healthy woman, the damage to the mucous uterus itself rarely provokes the development of serious complications. For the onset of the inflammatory process, a certain trigger mechanism is required. For example, reduced immunity or lack of basic personal hygiene. As a result of simultaneous interaction of the listed factors (damage + bacterium + trigger) and the disease develops with all its symptoms.

The first manifestations of pathology

Endometritis acute is characterized by a pronounced clinical picture. The first signs of the disease usually appear on the third day after infection. Among them are the following:

1. Temperature increase. Such a reaction of the organism often accompanies acute infectious processes.
2. Drawing pains in the lower abdomen. They can irradiate into the region of the sacrum or perineum. Inflammatory process in the body contributes to the active formation of biologically active substances, which cause painful sensations.
3. Discharge from the vagina. The nature of the secret depends on the pathogens of the disease. For example, with viral infection develops acute catarrhal endometritis. A typical manifestation of this is serous exudate. With bacterial infection, secretion of pus is detected. Physicians explain his appearance by the presence of a large number of leukocytes, which actively fight the pathogenic flora. However, most often the disease is accompanied by serous-purulent (mixed) secretions.
4. Uterine bleeding. This symptom occurs due to a lesion of the basal layer of the endometrium.

The inflammatory process that accompanies the disease tends to spread rapidly to neighboring organs. Therefore, treatment should be started immediately.

Classification of acute endometritis

There are two forms of this disease: catarrhal and purulent. Each of them is characterized by a specific clinical picture.

Acute purulent endometritis develops as a result of abortion or after childbirth. In rare cases, the disease is preceded by the disintegration of a malignant tumor. It is characterized by an accumulation of purulent secretion in the uterus, which makes it possible for infectious agents to penetrate freely into its cavity. Purulent endometritis is manifested by fever and pain in the lower abdomen.

With catarrhal form, a continuous discharge from the vagina of serous exudate is observed. However, patients rarely complain of abdominal pain or fever. Disease, as a rule, is the cause of infertility. However, timely treatment allows you to avoid this pathology.

Separate should be considered acute postpartum purulent-catarrhal endometritis. In 20% of cases, the disease is diagnosed after a cesarean section, and in 5% is the result of independent births. The first symptom is severe pain in the lower abdomen, which do not go away with time. Also, women complain of high fever, chills, the appearance of uncharacteristic discharge from the vagina with impurities of pus.

Methods of diagnosis

At the first consultation with a gynecologist, it is important to talk about all the troubling symptoms, the transplanted operations, the cases of abortions. If there is a suspicion of endometritis, an examination is performed on the gynecological chair with obligatory palpation. During the diagnosis, the specialist pays special attention to the size of the uterus. It should not be increased and painful to respond to touch.

Otherwise, a more detailed examination will be required. It implies taking swabs and material for sowing in order to determine the type of pathogen, its reaction to medicines. Biochemical and clinical blood tests may also be required. The detection of leukocytosis and acceleration of ESR usually indicate acute endometritis.

Another informative diagnostic method is ultrasound. Detection during the study of blood clots and pus in the uterus, thickening of its walls, changes in the echogenicity of tissues can confirm a preliminary diagnosis. Often inflammation goes beyond the body, reaching the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The spread of the pathological process can also be traced with the help of ultrasound.

Medication Therapy

Treatment of the disease is carried out on a stationary basis, since there is a risk of developing septic complications. The patient is necessarily shown bed rest. She needs to provide physical and psychological peace.

What drugs are prescribed for the diagnosis of "acute endometritis"? Treatment involves taking antibiotics. Even at the stage of diagnosis, the doctor conducts a bacteriological analysis of the smear to determine the type of causative agent of the disease and its sensitivity to certain drugs. The results can be obtained not earlier than in a week. Therefore, at the initial stage of the treatment, the patient is prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics. The most effective are the following medicines: Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Gentamicin, Lincomycin.

With a mixed microbial flora, a combination of several drugs is recommended. Due to the frequent connection of anaerobic flora to the pathological process, the treatment scheme is supplemented with "Metronidazole". To eliminate the effects of intoxication, the body shows intravenous injection of physiological and protein solutions. Also, the treatment regimen usually includes immunomodulatory, antifungal and antihistamines. After removal of the acute phase of the disease, physiotherapy and hirudotherapy are prescribed.

Treatment with folk remedies

Recently, for the fight against many ailments, patients prefer to use the prescriptions of folk healers. Endometrite is considered a serious disease, the ignoring of which can lead to serious health problems. Therefore, a qualified physician should be engaged in the treatment of the pathological process. To obtain a stable therapeutic effect, certain medications are required.

After pregnancy, doctors often diagnose acute purulent-catarrhal endometritis. Even in the XVII century about this disease already knew. Moreover, it was considered a scourge of all maternity hospitals. The ailment, which gradually passed into sepsis, took the life of every second newly mummy. This example proves once again that one should not engage in self-medication.

Possible complications

Lack of competent therapy of the disease can lead to the development of complications. Among them, the most common is the further spread of the infectious process to neighboring organs. As a result, sooner or later there is a blood poisoning - sepsis.

Untreated timely endometritis also contributes to the development of the following conditions:

• Chronization of the pathological process;
• Pyometra (accumulation of pus in the uterus);
• Salpingitis and oophoritis (inflammation of the fallopian tubes, appendages).

To late complications of the disease include a violation of the menstrual cycle, as well as infertility. That is why it is important at the first symptoms of an illness to seek qualified help. Adequate treatment plays a significant role in preventing severe complications.