Inflammation in the uterus is the irritation the uterine tissues, caused during infections by microorganisms such as candida, chlamydia or gonorrhea, for example, but also by allergies to products, pH change due to lack or excess hygiene or injuries in the region.
It causes symptoms such as vaginal discharge, bleeding outside your period, colic type pain and swollen uterus sensation. However, sometimes you may not show symptoms and so your diagnosis is not reached early on, leading to the progression of the disease. Inflammation can occur either in the cervix located at the bottom of the vagina or in the inner region, the endometrium, resulting in endometritis, as the images show:
The diagnosis is made by a gynecologist through a pap smear or an examination called colposcopy, where the signs of inflammation are observed and material can be collected for analysis. The treatment is usually done with pills or ointments, which may be antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, for example.
What are the symptoms
The main symptoms of uterine inflammation are:
- Yellowish, brown or gray discharge with bad smell;
- Bleeding during or after intimate contact;
- Bleeding outside the menstrual period;
- Pain when urinating and during intimate contact;
- Pain in the lower part of the belly;
- Feeling of swelling in the lower part of the belly or in the uterus.
However, it is important to remember that these symptoms may also be present in other uterine diseases, such as myoma or uterine polyps, for example. See the most common problems that can cause these symptoms in: 7 Signs and causes for uterine inflammation.
In addition, pain while urinating and abdominal pain may also be signs of ovarian inflammation.
Causes for uterus inflammation
The causes for uterine inflammation are:
- Presence of sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or HPV;
- Infectious vaginitis, such as candidiasis or bacterial vaginosis, for example;
- Allergy to the material of condoms, diaphragm or chemicals such as spermicides;
- Lack of hygiene in the intimate region or excessive hygiene, especially with the use soap, as this changes the vaginal pH and favors the growth of microorganisms that cause diseases;
- Injuries that occur during labor.
It is important to identify the cause of the uterine inflammation so that proper treatment is done to avoid the recurrence of the problem.
Uterine inflammation and pregnancy
Inflammation in the uterus makes it difficult for a woman to become pregnant by preventing the embryo from implanting itself in the wall of the uterus and developing. However, when it occurs during pregnancy, it usually does not interfere with the development of the fetus if treated properly, but when left untreated can lead to complications such as abortion.
How is treatment done
The treatment for uterine inflammation depends on the cause of the problem. When the disease is due to the presence of foreign microorganisms, the treatment is done with the ingestion of antibiotics, in the form of pills or ointment, antifungal or antiviral medication such as Nystatin, Miconazole, Clindamycin or Metronidazole, for example, which should be used according to the guidance of a gynecologist. In some cases, sexual partners also need to be treated, to ensure that the micro-organisms are eliminated and thereby prevent the inflammation from returning.
The gynecologist may also indicate cauterization of the cervix to help heal some lesions. However, if the inflammation in the uterus is caused by allergy to materials that come into contact with the woman's internal region, such as the condom and the diaphragm, the use of these products should be discontinued and, if necessary, anti-inflammatory drugs to improve pain and help the uterus to recover.
If uterine inflammation is not treated, it can reach more internal regions, such as the endometrium, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. In these cases, treatment may need to be done at the hospital, with medication given directly into the vein to contain the inflammation more quickly.
As a complement the treatment of uterus inflammation, it is advised to avoid intimate contact, drink about 2 liters of liquids a day. A healthy diet, rich in omega-3, present in salmon and sardines, as well as fruits, vegetables and greens help heal the inflammation.
Uterine inflammation may become cancer?
If the inflammation in the uterus is caused by the HPV virus, and the treatment is not properly done, the inflammation may develop into cervix cancer. Therefore, whenever there are signs and symptoms that indicate an inflammation, it is important to seek a gynecologist to identify the cause and start treatment as soon as possible.
Understand what are the symptoms of cervical cancer, the risks and what to do if you suspect cancer.