Endometritis is the irritation or inflammation of the uterus lining or the endometrium, while, on the other hand, endometriosis is the occurrence and unusual implantation of endometrial mucosa (stroma and glands) in other areas apart from the uterine cavity (Petersen, 2006). Petersen (2006) notes that endometritis is as a result of infections that occur as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease, retaining of tissues after a miscarriage, and delivery, infection of the amniotic fluid before and during labor and through sexually transmitted infections. On the other hand, a condition known as retrograde menstruation is the main cause of endometriosis (Desai, 2009).
In this case, the menstrual products of menstruation including endometrial cells gain entry into other body parts via the fallopian tube. When deposited in other organs such as bladder, intestines and ovaries, the cells react to estrogen and progesterone in a similar manner as in their reactions in the uterus (Hillard, 2008). The growth of the misplaced cells often results in alteration of both pelvic and abdominal structures, resulting in adhesions (Acton, 2011).
Endometritis Symptoms
Endometritis is insidious and develops at a slower rate. They are constitutional and reflex as a result of irritation of the pelvic sympathetic nerves. Leucorrhea is one of the main symptoms of endometritis. It takes a longer duration of time before getting diagnosed and the fluid it produces look like the egg white and reddish when produced by the cervical and body inflammations respectively (Hillard, 2008).
The second symptom is menstrual disorder characterized by scanty, irregular, profuse and suppressed flow that is painful and prolonged. Other symptoms include; pain and discomfort that may be manifested as a sense of heaviness and pains in the uterus, legs, hypogastrium and loins; sterility and reflex symptoms such as nausea, loss of appetite, digestive disturbance, and constipation amongst others.
Endometriosis Symptoms
The chief symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain related to the menstrual cycle. Even though, most women experience cramping, women with endometriosis experience an abnormal pain during the menstrual period and may report increase in pain with time (Desai, 2009). Other symptoms of the disease includes; dysmenorrhea, whereby cramping and pelvic pains start and extend many days into and after the periods; heavy periods (menorrhagia) and bleeding in between periods (menometrorrhagia); infertility and pain during coitus, bowel movement and urination, constipation, fatigue, diarrhea and nausea during the menstrual period (Acton, 2011).
Treatment of Endometriosis and Endometritis
Endometriosis has no cure, but treatment can help in relieving pains and treating infertility. Treatments rely on the severity of the symptoms and one’s urge to get pregnant. Physicians may administer hormone therapy on patients experiencing pains to reduce production of estrogen while treatment for women who wants to get pregnant through surgery and infertility (Desai, 2009). In his observations, Peterson (2006) noted that only a few women with endometriosis experience pains and that the condition improves with time. It improves during pregnancy and after menopause.
Treatment of endometritis, on the other hand, is by removing the causes followed by intra-pelvic technique meant to repair pelvic circulation and lymphatic drainage, and tone the involved structures (Hillard, 2008). The mobility of the uterus should be secured by ensuring the correction of all displacements. If the patient is irritated, she should relax in a recumbent position, and spinal inhibition, application of hypogastrium and hot douches should be conducted before commencing treatment (Hillard, 2008). Most cases call for the removal of cystic glands by the use of a speculum or a sharp apparatus and such surgical process should be carried out under antiseptic conditions (Petersen, 2006).
References
Acton, A. (2011). Endometriosis: New Insights for the Healthcare Professional: 2011 Edition: ScholarlyBrief. Atlanta, Georgia: ScholarlyEditions.
Desai. (2009). Endometriosis. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Hillard, P. J. (2008). The 5-Minute Obstetrics and Gynecology Consult. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Petersen, E. E. (2006). Infections in Obstetrics and Gynecology: Textbook and Atlas. Stuttgart, Germany: Thieme.