Symptoms
The symptoms of uterine inflammation can be very unspecific. Above all, they differ depending on how far the inflammation has already progressed and which part of the uterus it has affected (only the cervix, the endometrium or the uterine muscles). Inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis): In the case of an inflammation of the cervix, the affected woman often only notices slight symptoms.
This can be, for example, an increased or color changed discharge from the vagina, which often smells unpleasant. The discharge can be white-yellow to reddish-bloody in color. In some cases, symptoms such as itching or a burning sensation in the vagina may also occur.
Otherwise, the cervical inflammation presents itself with few symptoms and is therefore often not detected early. Cervical inflammation (endometritis, myometritis): If the inflammation has already spread to the mucous membrane or muscles of the uterine body, other symptoms arise which may indicate the disease. Often affected women complain of abdominal pain or a discreet pain in the area of the uterus.
Changes in the menstrual cycle can also occur, such as the occurrence of intermittent or spotting bleeding, as well as increased or prolonged menstrual bleeding.Tubal and ovarian inflammation (pelvic inflammatory disease): Since the fallopian tubes open into the uterus on both sides, in the worst case an inflammation of the uterus can also spread there and lead to ovarian inflammation. This clinical picture is called pelvic inflammatory disease and is usually accompanied by a pronounced feeling of illness for the patient. This is usually accompanied by severe lower abdominal pain and fever.
Complications
If uterine inflammation is not detected in time, various complications can arise. The inflammation can initially spread to the fallopian tubes and ovaries and cause a severe clinical picture there (pelvic inflammatory disease). In the worst case, the ovaries can be damaged to such an extent that infertility results.
Very rarely, the inflammation can also spread to the entire abdominal cavity. This condition is known as peritonitis and is usually accompanied by severe pain and high fever. The accumulation of pus in the uterus or the formation of purulent metastases in the tissue (abscess) is also possible.
Finally, the pathogens can also spread into the bloodstream and thus lead to a generalized inflammatory reaction in the sense of blood poisoning. The diagnosis of uterine inflammation is made by a gynecologist. A vaginal examination is necessary for this.
This allows the physician to examine the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix and examine it for signs specific to inflammation. He can also take a smear, which can then be examined microbiologically for pathogens. Finally, the cervix can be magnified with the so-called colposcope.
If there are any abnormalities in the mucosa there, the doctor can take a tissue sample directly and have it examined cytologically. Particularly in the case of an infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), the possibility of cervical cancer as the cause of uterine inflammation must be excluded. For this purpose, a smear is taken from the cervix, and if there are any abnormalities, a tissue sample (biopsy) is taken. In addition, the doctor will ask about risk factors for cervical inflammation, such as previous vaginal procedures (insertion of a coil, vaginal surgery), more frequent infections of the vagina, previous (miscarriages) or similar. In this way, the doctor can estimate how likely it is that uterine inflammation is present.
