Overview
Endometritis is inflammation of the lining of the uterus that usually occurs as a complication of an infection. Signs of endometritis include fever, lower abdominal pain, and bleeding between menstrual periods.
Endometritis can be caused by an infection in a woman's uterus related to childbirth or by an infection that spreads from another part of the body, such as the vagina.
Treatment with antibiotics usually clears up the infection and inflammation within a few days. Without treatment, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and can cause serious illness.
What is postpartum endometritis?
Postpartum endometritis is an infection of the lining of the uterus after you give birth. It is treated with antibiotics.
It is very important to treat this problem. If you don’t, you can get a more serious infection. It could cause problems, such as scars on the pelvic organs. Or it could prevent you from having more children.
How can you care for postpartum endometritis?
Take your antibiotics as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
Rest until you feel better.
Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
If you have belly pain, use a hot water bottle. Or you can use a heating pad set on low. Put a thin cloth between the heating pad and your skin.
Do not have sex until your doctor says it’s safe. Use pads instead of tampons.