Synonyms in a broader sense
Inflammation of the uterine appendages such as ovaries and fallopian tubes Fallopian tube inflammation, ovarian inflammation English: adnexitis
The typical symptoms
The symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease depend on the respective form of the disease. An acute and a chronic course can be distinguished. In the acute clinical picture, strong lower abdominal pain, often present on both sides, usually occurs, accompanied by a strong sudden feeling of illness.
The lower abdominal pain is caused by swelling of the fallopian tube and possibly also of the ovary. Frequently, but not necessarily, is the occurrence of fever. Depending on the spread of the infection, pain may also occur during urination or bowel movements.
Constipation, flatulence and vomiting are also known to be accompanying symptoms. Lubricating bleeding and other discharge can occur from the vagina. If the cervix is moved, this also leads to pain.
The patient’s blood shows increased inflammation values. If the acute pelvic inflammatory disease has subsided and dull pain in the lower abdomen continues to occur, a chronic pelvic inflammatory disease has developed, the cause of which can be found in inadequate therapy or in adhesions of the fallopian tube and its surroundings. These adhesions are the reason for the pain reported by some patients during sexual intercourse.
Often these adhesions close the fallopian tube so that fluid collects in it, which presses on the tissue and can lead to the death of cells. The result is infertility. In addition, as in the acute course of the disease, it can also occur. – Constipation
- Flatulence
- Exhaustion and
- Irregular bleeding
Ovarian pain
About 1% of all women suffer from an inflammation of the internal sexual organs once during their lifetime. Such inflammation can cause various symptoms, including pain. Both unilateral and bilateral pain in the ovaries are possible, depending on the location of the inflammation.
An adnexitis can go through various stages of the disease, in which the pain is not always equally severe. In the acute stage, the pain in the ovary sets in very suddenly. Often, the pain can then be assigned to a specific side, which is why it is also referred to as side pain.
This is the most severe pain in this acute phase. However, the disease can also be subacute. This means that the symptoms are not as severe.
However, pain in the ovary may still be present. In many cases, however, the pain can only be provoked during the examination by palpating the affected ovary. In the chronic stage of the disease, the pain often cannot be assigned to one side exactly and has a rather dull, oppressive character.
Abdominal pain as a symptom of pelvic inflammatory disease
Adnexitis can lead to very severe abdominal pain, which can be localised in different ways. However, it is almost always abdominal pain, which includes pain in the affected ovary. Depending on the stage of the disease, the intensity and quality of the pain varies.
In the acute stage, a pronounced, lateral abdominal pain is typical. It is located on the side of the affected ovary and has a pulling character. However, this pain can extend to the entire abdomen in the course of the disease.
The pain is so severe that most women in this stage of the disease go to an emergency room or a doctor’s surgery because they cannot tolerate the pain. In addition, there are other symptoms such as fever, nausea and vomiting. In the chronic stage, pelvic inflammatory disease causes very little or no abdominal pain. The pain can then usually only be triggered by pressing on the abdomen and is not present at rest.
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