Hematometra Following a D&C Procedure

Hematometra is a pathology of a blood excretion from the uterus. The blood collects inside and causes inflammation. Although this disease is quite rare, it requires precise diagnostics and special treatment.

What Causes Hematometra?

Usually, hematometra develops after labor or uterine curettage that involves the removal of the upper mucous layer. The endometrium gets regularly renewed. As pregnancy doesn’t happen, it gets rejected by the uterus and comes out with monthly menstruations. It gets fully restored by the next period.

If the uterine muscles cannot constrict properly to provide the blood excretion, it is an abnormal situation. Very often, the placenta fragments are left inside after labor or the fragments of the fetus and mucosa after abortion. This causes such complication as hematometra.

The cause of hematometra can also be a spasm of the cervical canal that doesn’t let the uterus to properly open and let the blood out. This pathology can develop after any surgical curettage the same way as after labor or abortion.

Why You May Need a D&C Procedure?

The procedure of dilation and curettage (or D&C) may have several goals to achieve. These are:

1. Diagnostics

The procedure takes place to determine the presence or absence of pathologies in the following situations:

• Suspicion about a cancerous disease


• Bloody discharge during menopause


• Abnormally painful and heavy menstrual bleeding


• Irregular menstruations

The procedure is necessary to take a sample of endometrium for the histopathology exam.

2. Treatment

Several diseases can be treated by the D&C procedure:

• Endometritis – an inflammation of the endometrium or uterine walls.


• Cervical or uterine polyps. The D&C procedure allows removing them before they will develop into a health-threatening condition.


• Uterine fibroids. The procedure is a part of the preparation for the tumor removal.


• Non-developing pregnancy or abortion. The procedure allows removing the fetus remnants from the uterus.

As you can see, the procedure is necessary to diagnose and treat multiple diseases, and sometimes, is an option regardless of its risks. Usually, there can be some side effects after the procedure like vaginal bleeding, stomach pain, and general weakness that stops soon. But you should be attentive not to miss a possible complication.

The Symptoms of Hematometra

• No bleedings or a sudden disappearance of blood after the procedure


• A feeling of heaviness in the lower stomach


• No menstruations for a long time after the procedure


• General weakness


• Pain in a lower stomach that gets stronger after any physical strain


• Fever


• Pain spreading over the lumbar area


• Abnormal vaginal discharge


• Dizziness and loss of consciousness


• Disorientation

If you notice these symptoms after your dilation and curettage procedure, reach out to your doctor as soon as you can. The treatment for this condition usually involves spasmolytic therapy that helps the uterine walls relax. If this doesn’t help, the D&C procedure must be repeated and anti-inflammatory and antibacterial (if necessary) therapy applied.