DEFINED as a medical condition in which the lining of the uterus becomes inflamed, endometritis, which is not the same as endometriosis, usually causes women to have lower abdominal or pelvic pain, fever, a bloody discharge or a vaginal discharge with a strong or unpleasant odour.

Endometritis is caused by infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, tuberculosis, or mixtures of normal vaginal bacteria.

Gynaecologist Dr Charles Rockhead said the condition doesn’t occur often and it’s usually the result of an underlying problem.

“It’s part of the process of a PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) and usually it’s a case of some form of abortion done or even a piece of membrane from the afterbirth left back in the woman after pregnancy that will cause endometritis,” Dr Rockhead said.

Dr Rockhead said women who experience symptoms and suspect they have the condition should visit a doctor immediately, as the condition can be treated by oral antibiotics if symptoms are mild, by intravitreal antibiotics for severe symptoms, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

If left untreated, Dr Rockhead said there is the risk of the condition spreading and affecting the Fallopian tubes, which in essence will affect reproduction and possibly cause infertility.

But, importantly, he said the condition doesn’t increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.

Endometritis caused by sexually transmitted infections can be prevented by early diagnosis and complete treatment of sexually transmitted infections in yourself and all sexual partners, and also by practising safe sex, such as using condoms.

The risk of endometritis is reduced by the careful, sterile techniques used by providers when delivering a baby or performing an abortion, IUD placement, or other gynaecological procedures.