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Gonococcal endometritis

Last edited: 4/15/2026

Overview

Gonococcal endometritis is an infection of the uterine endometrium caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, often complicating obstetric procedures, particularly cesarean deliveries, leading to significant postoperative morbidity 1.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical signs include fever, lower abdominal pain, abnormal uterine bleeding, and purulent cervical discharge 1.
  • Laboratory tests: Elevated white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and culture of endometrial tissue or secretions for N. gonorrhoeae 1.
  • Imaging: Not typically required but may show signs of pelvic inflammatory disease if severe 1.
  • Management

  • First-line treatment: Ceftriaxone (250 mg intramuscularly in a single dose) plus azithromycin (2 g orally as a single dose) 1.
  • Adjunctive measures: Close monitoring for complications, supportive care including hydration and pain management 1.
  • Prevention: Precesarean vaginal preparation with povidone-iodine solution may reduce the risk of endometritis by over 50%, comparable to adding azithromycin to standard prophylaxis 1.
  • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Precesarean vaginal preparation is recommended to reduce postpartum endometritis risk, though adoption remains inconsistent 1.
  • Comorbidities: No specific recommendations provided in the abstracts regarding comorbidities; standard prophylactic and treatment protocols apply 1.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Implement precesarean vaginal preparation with povidone-iodine solution to significantly reduce the incidence of endometritis (Evidence: Strong 1).
  • Use ceftriaxone 250 mg intramuscularly plus azithromycin 2 g orally as initial treatment for gonococcal endometritis (Evidence: Strong 1).
  • Consider close postoperative monitoring in obstetric patients to promptly identify and manage complications of endometritis (Evidence: Moderate 1).
  • References

    1 Duffy CR, DʼAlton ME, Han YW, Goldenberg RL, Gyamfi-Bannerman C. Incorporating Precesarean Vaginal Preparation Into Standard of Care for Obstetrics. Obstetrics and gynecology 2019. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Incorporating Precesarean Vaginal Preparation Into Standard of Care for Obstetrics.Duffy CR, DʼAlton ME, Han YW, Goldenberg RL, Gyamfi-Bannerman C Obstetrics and gynecology (2019)

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