Pelvic Pain: Endometritis or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
These diseases share some of the same symptoms, but it’s important to differentiate between endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease. If not treated in a timely and effective manner, they can lead to reproductive problems and increase your risk of an ectopic pregnancy and other serious health conditions.
We’ll review these two diseases, their symptoms, and why it’s important to be treated by an internal medicine physician near you, such as our team at Cary Medical Group.
What Is Endometritis?
This is an infection of the lining of the uterus (endometrium), It can be due to several conditions, from sexually transmitted infections to active tuberculosis to issues with the normal bacteria present in the vagina. It’s more common after having a C-section or a long labor.
It’s also most common after any pelvic procedure or anything that affects the cervix. These include:
- Placing an IUD
- Having a hysteroscopy
- Having an endometrial biopsy
- Childbirth
- D and C
Endometritis can also happen while you have other pelvic problems or infections.
What Are Endometritis Symptoms?
The main indicator is abdominal pain as well as:
- Fever
- Chills
- Extreme fatigue
- Constipation
- Pain when going to the bathroom
- Unusual vaginal discharge
What Is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?
This is an infection that affects a woman’s reproductive system. While PID is not always caused by sexually transmitted infections, it is a complication of chlamydia and gonorrhea.
What Are the Symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
The most prevalent symptom is a chronic pain in your lower abdomen. Other signs of PID include:
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Unpleasant vaginal odor
- Painful sex
- Fever
- Painful, burning urination
- Bleeding between periods
As you see, the symptoms between the two diseases are very similar.
Risk Factors for Developing PID
If you have a sexually transmitted disease but have not received treatment, you’re increasing your risk for developing PID. Other risk factors include:
- Having more than one sex partner, or a sex partner who has had multiple sex partners
- Having PID previously
- Douching
- Being sexually active at age 25 or younger
If you develop PID, it’s important that you notify any sex partner you’ve had over the last 60 days or your most recent partner. They may need to get tested and treated as well.
What Is the Difference Between Endometritis and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
Only a physician can determine the difference between these two.
We’ll not only evaluate your symptoms, but we’ll also examine your medical history. It will help us if you’ll be able to clearly explain your symptoms, when you first experienced them and for how long. If you are sexually active or if you’ve been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection, it’s important to let us know.
We may conduct tests such as:
- Blood testing
- Cervical cultures
- Endometrial biopsy
How Are These Diseases Treated?
Pelvic inflammatory disease will be treated with antibiotics, but in severe cases, it’s possible you may need to be admitted to the hospital.
Endometritis can also be treated with antibiotics, although we may also need to treat any abscesses that may have formed in the abdomen as the result of infections.
Cary Medical Group: The Partner in Your Health Care for More Than 25 Years
We understand what it takes to create an excellent health care team. It takes an extensive array of knowledge. It takes a passion for medicine. It takes a dedication to compassionate care.
Our physicians have been proud to be the leading medical home for Cary residents for more than 25 years. We would consider it a privilege to treat you. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.
