Inflammation Of The Uterus

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-31-2003
Inflammation Of The Uterus
3
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 5:13pm
First off, I am 24 years old, married, with 2 children. The last few months I have been having painful abnormal periods, spotting inbetween, pain in pelvic/cervix/uterus area, pain during intercourse and just plain feeling horrible.
I went to my gynecologist today and he gave me an ultrasound. He said I have an inflammed uterus (Endometritis) which is causing all of my symptoms. I was given antibiotics and a pain killer. When I asked him what could have caused this, he said anything, from it being cold outside or bad bacteria entering the uterus, etc.
When I got home I looked Endometritis up on the internet. Almost every page has the same information. They list the causes as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Childbirth, Miscarriage, Abortion, or insertions during gynecological procedures such as with a intrauterine device (IUD).
I can write off almost everything on this list. PID usually accompanies STDS, and as I mentioned before I am married and have been checked for STDS. My last childbirth was 4 years ago, so that is not it. I have never had an abortion. I have also never had a IUD or other type of device inserted, the last time I was at the gynecologist before this was 5 or 6 months ago. I suppose there is always the rare possibility that I could have had an early miscarriage that was regarded as my abnormal painful periods. My husband and I do not use traditional birth control and instead avoid my ovulating time and use the withdrawal method. It has worked for us for 4 years so far.
I guess my real concern is where did this inflammed uterus come from? Has anyone else had this problem without experiencing the above causes? Should I be concerned regarding my diagnosis? Or should I just take the antibiotics and not worry about where the inflammed uterus came from to begin with? Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thank you! :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 11:03pm

Hi lucki_kitti, welcome!

>> I went to my gynecologist today and he gave me an ultrasound. He said I have an inflammed uterus (Endometritis) which is causing all of my symptoms. I was given antibiotics and a pain killer.

Well, this is what Medline has to say (in part) about Endometriosis http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000915.htm

"Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium, tissue that normally lines the uterus, grows in other areas of the body, causing pain, irregular bleeding, and frequently infertility. The tissue growth typically occurs in the pelvic area, outside of the uterus, on the ovaries, bowel, rectum, bladder, and the delicate lining of the pelvis, but it can occur in other areas of the body as well."

I'm not a doctor but I don't think Endo can be diagnosed by an ultrasound. You usually have to have to have a surgical procedure to look inside the abdomen to be certain.

>> I asked him what could have caused this, he said anything, from it being cold outside or bad bacteria entering the uterus, etc. When I got home I looked Endometritis up on the internet. Almost every page has the same information. They list the causes as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Childbirth, Miscarriage, Abortion, or insertions during gynecological procedures such as with a intrauterine device (IUD).

Hon, I think you are confusing Endometrioses (Endo) with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). The symptoms can be somewhat similar but they are way different problems. If I were you I'd be sure I understood which your doctor thinks you have. Endo is where pieces of uterine lining (the endometrium) are growing where they aren't supposed to, like in the abdominal cavity or fallopian tubes etc. PID is an infection causes be bacteria. For information about PID see:

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000888.htm which says in part:

"Pelvic inflammatory disease is a general term for infection of the lining of the uterus, the fallopian tubes, or the ovaries (see also endometritis).

The same organisms responsible for bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (such as chlamydia, gonorrhea mycoplasma, staph, strep) cause 90% to 95% of all cases of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Although sexual transmission is the most common cause of PID, bacteria may enter the body after gynecological events or procedures such as IUD insertion (intrauterine device used for contraception), childbirth, spontaneous abortion (miscarriage), therapeutic or elective abortion, and endometrial biopsy."

>> I guess my real concern is where did this inflammed uterus come from? Has anyone else had this problem without experiencing the above causes? Should I be concerned regarding my diagnosis? Or should I just take the antibiotics and not worry about where the inflammed uterus came from to begin with?

I would certainly find out from your Gyn which he thinks you have Endo or PID. That makes a huge difference. And if it's PID if I were you I would really be concerned about how I was infected so I could try to prevent it from happening again.

If it's PID and you haven't had any other possible methods of exposure have you been using any sex toys that weren't thoroughly disinfected between uses or, if all other possible sources of infection have been eliminated, then perhaps your partner might have been the carrier. If that's that’s case then it would be a good idea for him to be tested and treated.

Let us know what your Gyn says and how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-31-2003
Thu, 01-20-2005 - 2:59am

No, No. It is Endometritis. Not Endometriosis. They are two completely different things.

A summary of Endometritis (also from medline) is: Endometritis is an inflammation and/or irritation of the endometrium (lining of the uterus).

Causes: The usual cause of endometritis is infection. This includes chlamydial or gonococcal endometritis, frequently occurring among patients with salpingitis; tuberculous endometritis; purulent endometritis; and endometritis following surgery or other gynecological procedures that require insertion of medical instruments.

Endometritis may also occur following childbirth; abortion (therapeutic, elective, or spontaneous -- all of which can lead to septic abortion), or intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. Other risk factors may include a history of acute salpingitis, acute cervicitis, and other pelvic infections, including many of the sexually transmitted diseases.

My husband found some more information on Endometritis in German last night. And I ended up finding out that it also caused by certain bacteria like E. Coli which comes from the intestines. If your uterus has the right conditions for the bacteria to overbreed it results in infection. I have had previous problems with the bacteria E. Coli, so chances are this is the cause. At least I can rest easy now and just takes my medicine and start feeling better! :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 01-20-2005 - 12:04pm

Oops! Sorry… Endometritis http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001484.htm is definitely caused by bacteria. I’m glad you feel comfortable with your E. Coli as a source theory. Have you determined how E. Coli are getting into your reproductive tract? Wiping from front to back and washing after a soft stool might reduce the possibility and of course using condoms and washing well if you have anal intercourse. But if you have had problems with E Coli before then you know all that. I hope you’re feeling better soon.

Hugs,

      Jill