Tubal inflammation and ovarian inflammation (medical term: adnexitis) is one of the serious diseases in the gynecological field. Often, the inflammations result from bacterial infections. The disease can be acute or chronic. If left untreated, it can cause major complications, including infertility.
What is inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries?
The anatomy of the female reproductive and sexual organs clearly shows the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Tubal inflammation and ovarian inflammation always occur together in most cases. Isolated tubal or ovarian inflammation occurs extremely rarely. Also, usually both sides of the ovary are always inflamed. It usually affects women of reproductive age. Before puberty and after menopause, the disease occurs very rarely. The occurrence of inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries strongly depends on the hygiene and sexual activity of the affected person. The disease often lasts for a long time and affects complete lives, sometimes significantly, and can lead to severe complications, even infertility. Among gynecological diseases, inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries is one of the serious diseases.
Causes
Tubal inflammation and ovarian inflammation are caused by bacterial infection in most cases. Viruses rarely play a role. There are various pathogens that can cause the disease. Often the inflammation is caused by gonococci. However, Chlamydia trachomatis, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and other pathogens can also cause inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovary. In most cases, so-called mixed infections are present. This means that several pathogens are responsible for the infection. The pathogens can reach the ovaries and fallopian tubes in different ways. If the pathogens reach the fallopian tubes and ovary from the vagina via the uterus, this is called an ascending infection. In a descending infection, the pathogens enter the ovaries and fallopian tubes from a neighboring organ, such as the appendix. Hematogenous infection occurs when the pathogens spread through the bloodstream, causing inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
In most cases, acute tubal and ovarian inflammation is noticeable by a pulling pain on one or both sides of the abdomen, depending on whether only one side is affected or both. In a majority of women, symptoms appear about a week after menstruation. The abdomen may be distended, and the abdominal wall is tense and sensitive to pressure. Affected women also usually feel fatigued and ill. Other symptoms include painful sexual intercourse, unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge, intermenstrual bleeding and pain when urinating. Constipation or diarrhea as well as nausea with nausea are also possible. During a gynecological examination, the cervix is sensitive to pain, the uterus is enlarged and also reacts to touch with pain. Women affected by such complaints should consult a gynecologist to clarify the cause. If acute inflammation of the fallopian tubes/ovaries is not treated or not treated adequately, it can become chronic and cause recurrent inflammation with scarring. In addition, the general condition is weakened and irregularities in the menstrual cycle may also occur.
Diagnosis and course
To diagnose inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, a gynecologic examination provides the first clues to the condition. These include a pressure-sensitive and enlarged uterus, pain at the cervix with movement, and discharge. A smear from the cervix can be used to detect the pathogens and determine the white blood cell count. For this purpose, the white blood cells are counted under the microscope and a culture is prepared with the smear material. This provides information about which pathogens are present and which antibiotics can be used for treatment. A blood test can also provide information about existing signs of inflammation. Ultrasound examination or a reflection of the abdominal cavity can, if necessary, provide the doctor with further information.Rapid treatment is crucial for the course of the disease. If the inflammation is treated too late or not at all, complications can arise. For example, the inflammation can spread to secondary organs. Prolonged pain or even infertility can be the result of chronic inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. If right-sided abdominal pain occurs, the doctor should rule out appendicitis. Furthermore, laparoscopy can clear up acute abdomen.
Complications
Tubal and ovarian inflammation, also called adnexitis, occurs either in accompaniment to or after vaginitis and most commonly affects young women. During adolescence as well as menopause, the symptom rarely appears. The symptom develops due to an infection in the vaginal region. There is a connection between lack of hygiene and increased sexual activity. Affected women complain of severe lower abdominal pain, fatigue and fever. Most often, the symptom is first misinterpreted by the patient himself. At the first signs, it is advisable, especially for young women, to seek medical help immediately. According to the findings, antibiotics and sufficient fluid intake are administered in medical therapy to contain the pathogen. If the inflammation of fallopian tubes and ovaries is not treated in time, the complication consequences accumulate, which cause severe chronic damage. The symptom may expand in a few months and cause peritonitis. Pus foci and abscesses can form in the abdominal cavity. If pus accumulates in the abdominal cavity, surgery must be performed immediately, as the germs can cause blood poisoning. Once a chronic stage has been reached, there is a risk of adhesions to the ovaries and, if the patient wishes to have children, a possible ectopic pregnancy or even infertility. In the case of chronic adnexitis and no longer effective pain treatment, surgical intervention can rarely be avoided.
When should you see a doctor?
If there is unusual pain in the lower abdomen, as well as gastrointestinal discomfort or bleeding between periods, there may be an inflammation of the fallopian tubes or ovaries. If the symptoms do not subside after one week at the latest or even increase in intensity and duration in the course of time, a visit to the doctor is recommended. This is especially true if the above symptoms occur after a vaginitis. If further complaints such as pain during urination or intermittent bleeding occur, medical advice is required. Other warning signs are purulent discharge from the vagina and a pain-sensitive uterus. With increasing duration of the disease, swollen and pressure-sensitive fallopian tubes and ovaries also occur. Women who notice the above symptoms should make an appointment with a gynecologist and have the causes clarified and, if necessary, treated. If inflammation of the fallopian tubes or ovaries is left untreated, it can develop into chronic adnexitis. This disease requires comprehensive medical treatment, which often takes months or years and is associated with complications such as infertility. That is why even acute tubal or ovarian inflammation should be medically evaluated and treated.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries is usually always conservative, that is, with the help of medication. Surgical treatment may be necessary only if complications arise. This may be necessary, for example, if abscesses have formed in the pelvic area. Conservative treatment is usually carried out with the help of antibiotics. A broad-spectrum antibiotic is usually used, since in the majority of cases several pathogens are involved in inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. In addition to antibiotics, antiphlogistic medications are often used. These are medications that counteract the inflammatory process. In addition, most patients are also prescribed pain-relieving preparations. Treatment can last up to 20 days. Even after the acute symptoms have subsided, it is essential to continue treatment. This is important because infertility can occur if the inflammation is not completely healed. It also prevents the pathogens from multiplying further and possibly developing resistance to the antibiotic used. During the acute symptoms, sexual intercourse should be avoided.In addition, bed rest should be observed in acute inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis of tubal inflammation or ovarian inflammation is good. In about 80% of registered cases, with timely and good medical care, there is a cure as well as freedom from symptoms. Without medical treatment, there is a risk of the inflammation spreading to the neighboring organs of the abdomen. At best, this results in a delay in the healing process, but it can also trigger other serious complications. In addition to peritonitis, the development of appendicitis is possible. Pain, digestive problems and tissue damage to the organs may develop. In severe cases, the patient is at risk of a life-threatening condition. Advanced inflammation of the bowel can lead to rupture of the organ. If the inflammation of the fallopian tubes or ovaries turns into a chronic course of the disease, a significant reduction in the quality of life is to be expected due to existing impairments. In addition, the inflammation in this case increases the risk of infertility for the woman. This can trigger mental illness and significantly worsen the general health condition. Therefore, a stable immune system and a healthy lifestyle are important for a good prognosis of inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. In addition, there should be no other pre-existing conditions that can cause delays. If these conditions are met, medical treatment will achieve complete freedom from symptoms within a few weeks without further consequential damage.
Prevention
Tubal inflammation and ovarian inflammation can be prevented to some extent. Careful personal hygiene, as well as good sexual hygiene, can prevent infection. Using condoms is a good way to protect against vaginitis. These are often the cause of inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Aftercare
As a rule, the measures of aftercare for tubal inflammation and ovarian inflammation are very limited. In this case, the disease itself should first be fully examined and treated by a doctor. Only complete healing of these inflammations can prevent further discomfort or complications. The earlier the inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries is detected, the better is usually the further course of these diseases. For this reason, a doctor must be consulted at the first symptoms and signs of one of these inflammations. Since those affected are usually dependent on taking antibiotics, care must always be taken to ensure that the correct dosage is taken and for the correct duration. Even after the symptoms of inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries have subsided, the antibiotics should still be taken if this has been prescribed by the doctor. In case of uncertainty or doubt, a doctor should always be consulted to prevent complications. Furthermore, sexual intercourse should be avoided during the treatment of inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. The patient should always rest and take care of bed rest. Efforts should be refrained from. In most cases, inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries can be treated relatively well, so that there is no reduction in the life expectancy of the affected person.
What you can do yourself
Because there is a great risk of infertility if it is not treated, inflammation of the fallopian tubes or ovaries should always be examined by a gynecologist. The result of this examination determines the subsequent treatment. In most cases, antibiotics are administered for several days. Since this also paralyzes the intestines and kills the healthy intestinal bacteria, those affected can take probiotic bacteria at the same time. These are available in the pharmacy in powder or drop form. This also supports the immune system, which, in addition to the antibiotics, is very challenged by the existing inflammation. An inflammation of the fallopian tubes is also always associated with a weakened intestinal flora. Taking pain-relieving medication such as ibuprofen (analgesic) can be taken as a supplement for a limited period of time. In order to support the body during recovery, it is advisable to keep bed rest.The spread of pathogens can be countered by consuming sufficient fluids – still mineral waters and unsweetened herbal teas are ideal – as well as a diet rich in vital substances and minerals. Micronutrient therapy as a dietary supplement could also support. For example, selenium has been shown to reduce inflammatory processes in the body. Sexual intercourse should be avoided. Homeopathically, Apis D4 (right-sided symptoms) and Lachesis D12 (left-sided symptoms) help. To prevent re-infection, care should be taken to maintain adequate hygiene in the intimate areas of both partners – before sexual intercourse.
