Endometriosis is a disease not unfamiliar to women. In addition to causing severe abdominal pain, the disease also has potentially dangerous complications including the risk of infertility. Let’s find out the causes of endometritis in this article!
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What is endometritis?
Inside the uterus is a soft, spongy lining called the endometrium. This area is ready to receive fertilized eggs and nurture them to develop into a fetus. If an egg is not released, the endometrial tissue is destroyed and expelled, forming the menstrual cycle.
Endometritis is an inflammatory condition in the uterine cavity, usually caused by a number of interventions in the uterine cavity that are not sterile such as abortion, biopsy, ring placement, and ring removal. The disease can also occur after birth, after cesarean section if there is a residual placenta or prolonged uterine stasis.
Endometritis if not treated properly can cause dangerous complications such as sepsis, uterine adhesions, inflammation of the appendages causing fallopian tube blockage, and eventual infertility due to the sperm not meeting the egg. For fertilization, the fertilized egg cannot reach the uterus for implantation, the uterus does not guarantee the function of the egg to implant.
What causes endometritis?
The cause of endometritis is usually bacterial (staphylococcus, streptococcus, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, tuberculosis) or by bacteria spreading from the bottom up during or after cervicitis. However, the most common causes are infection after miscarriage, retained placenta, fluid retention, cesarean section (non-sterile surgical instruments), premature rupture of membranes, and prolonged labor, vaginal tracing, IUD insertion, unsafe abortion).
Symptoms of endometritis
Common symptoms of the disease are severe abdominal pain before and during menstruation, and pain during sex. Patients often feel fatigued and have pain in the urinary tract, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. In many cases, these symptoms are also accompanied by allergies and frequent infections in the private area. When having endometritis, the patient feels pain in the lower abdomen, a lot of discharge with pus, and a fever. If treatment is not correct or untreated, the disease turns to a chronic stage, whose main manifestations are usually lower abdominal pain, uterine bleeding, and menstrual disorders.
Why do women need endometrial ablation?
Endometrial ablation is a procedure that destroys a thin layer of the lining of the uterus. In most cases, women who experience heavy bleeding or bleeding that won’t stop during their periods will be treated with medication first. If heavy bleeding cannot be controlled with medication, endometrial ablation may be used. This procedure can help reduce the amount of menstrual flow to normal or lighter. If excision still fails to control the condition, your doctor will order further treatment or do surgery.
Who should not have endometrial ablation: Endometrial ablation is not recommended in postmenopausal women and women with the following problems:
- Disorders of the uterus or endometrium
- Endometrial hyperplasia
- Uterine cancer
- Newly pregnant
- Recent or ongoing uterine infection
Is it possible to get pregnant after endometrial ablation?
After endometrial ablation, the chances of getting pregnant are very low, but it is still possible to get pregnant. If you become pregnant after an endometrial ablation, your risk of miscarriage and other health problems is greatly increased. If you still want to get pregnant, you shouldn’t have this procedure. Women who have had an endometrial ablation should use birth control until after menopause, and sterilization may also be a good option.
A woman who has had an endometrial ablation still has full reproductive organs, so regular cervical cancer screening and gynecological exams are still essential.
Techniques for performing endometrial ablation?
The following methods are the most commonly used to perform endometrial ablation:
Radio waves: A probe is inserted into the uterus through the cervix. The tip of the transducer emits radio wave energy in the form of a grid into the endothelium. The energy and heat will destroy the endometrial cells, which are then sucked out by the machine.
Coagulation: A small probe is inserted into the uterus. The tip of the probe will coagulate the endometrium. This technique is usually performed under ultrasound guidance.
Hot fluids: The fluids are introduced into the uterus through a hysteroscope (a small device that transmits light to view the endometrium), then the fluid is heated and held in the uterus. in about 10 minutes. High temperatures destroy the endothelium.
Hot water balloon: a balloon is placed into the uterus during hysteroscopy. Inject hot liquid into the balloon to expand until the edges of the balloon press against the endometrium. High temperatures destroy the endometrium.
Microwave energy: A special transducer is inserted into the uterus through the cervix and then transmits microwave energy to the endometrium and destroys it.
Electrical dissection: performed with a resectoscope. A laparoscope is a small endoscopic instrument that is inserted into the uterine cavity. The tip of the laparoscope can be a metal ring, a roller, or a spike, which is charged to destroy the endometrium. This procedure is usually performed in the operating room and requires general anesthesia. However, it is not as popular as other methods.
Final thought
Some common side effects after endometrial ablation:
- Abdominal pain similar to menstrual cramps for 1-2 days
- A thin, bloody vaginal discharge that may last a few weeks. There may be a lot of discharge in the first 2-3 days after surgery
- Urinating more often within the first 24 hours
- Nausea
Endometrial ablation has certain risks such as a low risk of infection and bleeding. Instruments used during the procedure can cause perforation of the uterus or intestines. Some methods carry the risk of burning the vagina, vulva, and intestines. In rare cases, the fluids used to stretch the uterus during electrosurgery can be absorbed into the bloodstream causing serious complications. Therefore, the amount of fluid used is always carefully checked during the procedure.
Top News hopes this article can help you learn more about the causes of endometritis and wishes your health is always in the best condition!
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