What Are the Treatments for Endometritis?

Endometritis is an inflammation of the uterine lining, which is also known as the endometrium. The National Institutes of Health says that symptoms include a distended abdomen, abnormal vaginal discharge and bleeding, painful bowel movements, pain and fever. When left untreated, it can lead to a variety of potentially dangerous complications. Fortunately, doctors can easily diagnose it through an examination and tests and treat it successfully.

Oral Medication

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that edometritis is typically treated with oral antibiotics to prevent complications. It is usually triggered by infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea or tuberculosis, and it can also be caused by the mixing of normal vaginal bacteria. Because of this, it is usually responsive to antibiotic treatment. The NIH says that a woman who is being treated with oral medication must complete the entire course, even if she starts to feel better. If she stops taking it once she feels good, the endometritis may not be completely cured.

Intravenous Medication

• Although oral medication is effective for most endometritis patients, those with certain complications may need antibiotics that are administered directly into the vein. The NIH says this may be necessary for women who get endometritis after childbirth of those with very severe symptoms. The intravenous treatment is usually followed up with a course of oral antibiotics.

Home Care

• The NIH says that women with endometritis need plenty of rest and must also stay hydrated. They should drink plenty of water. The Free MD medical library says that over-the-counter pain medications can be taken to relieve any discomfort. The most common choices are acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen.

Sexual Contact

• Depending on the cause of the endometritis, a woman's sex partner may also need to be treated. This is particularly true when the condition was triggered by a sexually transmitted disease. If she continues to have sexual contact during treatment, her partner should use a condom until the problem is completely cured.

Warning

• If you suspect that you could have endometritis and do not seek treatment, you could develop serious complications. According to the NIH, these include abscesses in the pelvic area and uterus, pelvic peritonitis, septic shock, septicemia and infertility. You should call your doctor whenever you have endometritis symptoms, but this is especially crucial if you've just had a baby, an abortion, uterine surgery or an IUD placement.