Inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes (pelvic inflammatory disease)
The risk of infection with the pathogens is increased during menstruation, after childbirth and in the period after delivery or after cervical interventions such as a scrape, the use of a coil or artificial abortion. The pelvic inflammatory disease often manifests itself by a foul-smelling discharge, burning (with or without itching) of the vagina, fever or pressure sensitivity, pain and feelings of tension in the abdomen caused by the swollen fallopian tubes. Irregular bleeding, reduced performance, pain in the sacrum or pain during sexual intercourse can also indicate inflammation of the fallopian tubes.
The diagnosis is made after taking the patient’s medical history by means of a physical and gynaecological examination, an ultrasound examination and laboratory tests to determine the pathogen. In doubtful cases, a mirror image of the abdominal cavity under anesthesia (laparoscopy) may be useful to rule out other diseases. Treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease is carried out by administering antibiotics as well as pain and inflammation reducing drugs.
Since the inflammation can cause severe pain, ice cubes are often helpful in the acute phase to relieve the symptoms and allow the tissue to swell. In the further course of the disease, warm, moist compresses and sitz baths can be applied. Tubal inflammation can spread to the neighboring organs and cause a so-called acute abdomen (e.g. peritonitis, intestinal obstruction, appendicitis).
Antibiotic therapy should be administered early enough to prevent abscess formation (pustule). In the worst (rare) case, surgical removal of the fallopian tubes (and possibly other organs, depending on the spread of the disease) may become necessary. In many cases, inflammation of the fallopian tubes takes a chronic course and then often leads to infertility in the woman, which is why it is a serious disease that should be treated as soon as possible.
Cancer of the fallopian tubes
In cases of severe, colicky pain in the area of an ovary (or fallopian tube), complete or incomplete closure (thrombosis) of the ovarian vein should also be considered under certain circumstances. The ovarian vein supplies blood to the ovary and fallopian tubes. If a lack of blood supply occurs in the course of ovarian vein thrombosis, severe pain in the area of the fallopian tubes occurs, similar to appendicitis.
This disease often occurs two to six days after delivery (postpartum). High fever can accompany the severe pain. If an inflammatory (septic) course of the disease occurs, ovarian vein thrombosis is life-threatening.
The therapy consists of “blood thinning” by medication, whereby blood clotting is inhibited by the administration of the active substance heparin. In addition, an antibiotic therapy is administered.
