An infection in the uterus is an infection that normally starts in the cervix region before affecting other parts of the uterus, causing symptoms such as pain in the belly, discharge and/or vaginal bleeding and fever in some women.
In most cases, infection in the uterus is caused by bacteria that are transmitted sexually and is more common in young women who have multiple sexual partners and have sex without using a condom.
If you suspect an infection in the uterus, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist. Treatment is usually done with medication, such as antibiotics or antifungals, and may need to be done with the woman admitted to the hospital in the most serious cases.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of infection in the uterus are:
- Stomach pain which worsens when touching the region;
- Vaginal dischargewhich may have a bad smell and a white, yellowish or gray color;
- Vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual period or after intimate contact;
- Pain during sexual intercourse or soon after;
- Feverin some cases.
Infection in the uterus usually begins as an inflammation in the cervix region known as cervicitis and, when not treated properly, it can worsen, also affecting other parts of this organ.
Read too: Cervicitis: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment
However, it is common for the infection to cause few or no symptoms in some women, which can increase the risk of complications such as infertility or chronic pelvic pain.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of infection in the uterus is made by the gynecologist taking into account the symptoms presented and changes observed in the gynecological examination, such as the presence of pus-like discharge or bleeding in the cervix.
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Causes of infection in the uterus
Most of the time, infection in the uterus is caused by bacteria that are transmitted sexually, such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatisand initially affect the cervix before spreading to other parts of the uterus.
Read too: Sexually transmitted infections: top 10 STIs, treatment (and cure)
Infection in the uterus is more common in women under 25 years of age and who have multiple sexual partners, have sex without using a condom and/or have a history of sexually transmitted infections.
This infection can initially be identified by pain. However, pain in the uterus can also indicate other problems, such as endometriosis or adenomyosis, and it is important to correctly identify their cause. Check out what pain in the uterus could be.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment in most cases of infection in the uterus involves the use of medications, such as antibiotics or antifungals, orally, but in more serious cases, it may need to be done with the woman admitted to the hospital and the use of medication directly into the vein.
Read too: Treatment for inflammation in the uterus: remedies and natural options
In case of infection in the uterus, it is also normally recommended that the treatment be carried out by the sexual partner, even if there are no signs or symptoms, to prevent the woman from becoming infected again.
Bibliography
- CURRY, Amy; WILLIAMS, Tracy; PENNY, Melissa L. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention. Am Fam Physician. Vol.100, n.6. 357-364, 2019
- STATPEARLS. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. 2023. Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499959/>. Accessed on January 30, 2024
- STATPEARLS. Cervicitis. 2023. Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562193/>. Accessed on January 30, 2024
- BMJ. Cervicitis. 2023. Available at: <https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/662>. Accessed on January 30, 2024
