Why does inflammation of the appendages occur in women? Symptoms, treatment, prevention. Inflammation of the uterus and appendages Inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries

Women, which can lead to tubal infertility.

General information

Inflammation of the fallopian tube is a pathology of gynecological nature, in the absence of treatment of which the process becomes chronic. Currently, experts distinguish the following types:

  • Salpingitis. This is inflammation, the formation of which occurs due to the penetration of infectious agents into the fallopian tubes. Neglect of the disease or improper treatment can lead to obstruction of the fallopian tubes and female infertility.
  • Salpingo-oophoritis. This is an inflammatory process that forms on the uterine appendages due to the active activity of pathological microorganisms (staphylococcus, tuberculosis bacteria).

Most often, infection occurs through the ascending route, that is, through the vagina. Then the pathogenic flora moves along the cervical canal, the final destination of this “journey” is the fallopian tubes. Inflammation of the fallopian tube begins with its mucous membrane. Then the pathological process spreads to deeper layers.

Immediate consultation with a doctor and competent therapy guarantee a complete recovery. The most favorable prognosis is considered when inflammation does not provoke tubal obstruction. In this case, treatment allows you to completely restore reproductive function.

Inflammation of the fallopian tubes: causes

  • Various infections (gonococci, chlamydia, trichomonas).
  • Promiscuous sexual intercourse.
  • Non-traditional form of sexual intercourse.
  • Diseases of an inflammatory nature.
  • Foreign intervention in the female environment (caesarean section, cervical injury, abortion).
  • Frequent stress.

Clinical picture

As practice shows, signs of inflammation of the fallopian tubes may vary depending on the specific type of pathology.

The acute form of salpingoophoritis is characterized by the appearance of painful discomfort in the lower abdomen and lower back. In addition, many women note an increase in temperature, a general deterioration in their condition, chills, and excessive sweating. In rare cases, purulent vaginal discharge is possible.

The chronic form of salpingoophoritis is characterized by the occurrence of dull aching pain in the lower abdomen and vagina. Women complain of problems with the menstrual cycle, decreased libido and discomfort during sexual intercourse. Tests show a decrease in the level of female hormones and the formation of ovarian hypofunction.

At the initial stage of development, salpingitis is characterized by painful discomfort in the lower abdomen and problems with urination. As the disease progresses, these symptoms are added from the vagina, and sexual intercourse is accompanied by severe pain. In some cases, there may be a slight increase in temperature, general malaise and periodic attacks of weakness.

Diagnostic measures

If you suspect inflammation of the fallopian tubes, you should immediately seek help from a doctor. At the appointment, the specialist conducts a gynecological examination and collects a complete medical history. To determine the specific form of pathology, a number of additional tests may be required, including microbiological examination of the uterus, vagina, and urethra. Ultrasound allows you to get the most informative picture about the state of the reproductive system and differentiate inflammation of the fallopian tubes. The symptoms described in this article do not always indicate this particular pathology.

Determining the final diagnosis is impossible without laparoscopy. This method allows you to visualize internal organs and assess their condition. Laparoscopy is a mini-operation that is performed using local anesthesia. A laparoscope is a tube with several lenses that is inserted directly into the abdominal cavity through small punctures. With it, the doctor can examine the fallopian tubes, determine their condition, the presence of inflammation and pus.

Conservative therapy

Inflammation of the fallopian tubes should not be ignored. Treatment of this pathology is possible only in a hospital setting. Therapeutic tactics largely depend on the diagnostic results, the cause and form of the inflammatory process, as well as the presence of associated complications. Of course, advanced cases require a more serious approach to treatment.

For salpingoophoritis, complex drug therapy is prescribed, which includes taking antibiotics (Azithromycin, Cefotaxime, Gentamicin) and immunomodulators. Depending on the patient’s condition, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs may be additionally prescribed.

Antibiotics are also prescribed for salpingitis. To prevent possible dysbiosis, antibacterial therapy is combined with the use of antifungal agents (Fluconazole, Ketoconazole) and probiotics (Linex).

When is surgery necessary?

If conservative treatment is ineffective, doctors recommend surgical intervention to all patients diagnosed with inflammation of the fallopian tubes. Symptoms of pathology in the absence of treatment can significantly reduce the quality of life.

In some cases, even surgery is contraindicated. If the patient is obese or has been diagnosed with acute infectious diseases, it is better to refuse surgical intervention.

The operation involves removing part of the fallopian tube, cleaning it from existing pus and disinfecting it. If it is not possible to eliminate the purulent focus, the doctor most often decides to remove the entire uterine appendage.

Removal of the fallopian tubes during inflammation is carried out through laparoscopic surgery. The surgeon initially makes several punctures in the abdominal wall, through which instruments for manipulation are subsequently inserted. The procedure itself is considered low-traumatic, and recovery occurs without serious complications. After surgery, some patients complain of nausea and bloating. As a rule, such symptoms disappear after 2-3 days and do not require special treatment.

Treatment with folk remedies

You can enhance the therapeutic effect when diagnosed with inflammation of the fallopian tubes using folk remedies. You should first consult with a gynecologist on this issue. Below we list the most popular alternative medicine recipes:


What is the danger of pathology when carrying a child?

And fallopian tubes are quite rare during pregnancy. If this happens, the consequences can be very serious. For example, if a pregnant woman is diagnosed with salpingitis in the early stages, the pathology can lead to miscarriage. In the second and third trimesters, it often ends in fetal death.

After the doctor confirms this diagnosis, the expectant mother is immediately hospitalized and appropriate therapy is prescribed.

In women who have already suffered inflammation of the fallopian tube, the likelihood of infertility or ectopic pregnancy increases several times. To avoid such complications, patients are recommended to undergo special examination. Based on its results, you can judge the patency of the tubes and the possibility of naturally conceiving a baby. In particularly serious cases, the only option is in vitro fertilization.

Prevention

Prevention of any disease, and inflammation of the fallopian tube is no exception, allows you to prevent the development of the disease and increase the likelihood of a speedy recovery if the infection still manages to penetrate the body. Among the main measures aimed at preventing this pathology, experts name the following:

  • Use of modern contraception during sexual intercourse.
  • Elimination of stress and constant overwork.
  • Avoiding hypothermia of the body.
  • Healthy lifestyle and balanced diet.
  • Compliance with personal hygiene rules.
  • Timely treatment of all diseases.

Conclusion

Any inflammatory process in the body requires timely treatment, especially for the female reproductive system. Neglecting your health can negatively affect your ability to conceive a child naturally. That is why it is so important to seek qualified help and undergo a course of treatment when the first signs of this pathology appear. Be healthy!

Inflammation of the appendages in women is a group of diseases that affect the fallopian tubes (salpingitis) and ovaries (andexitis, oophoritis). The main consequence is infertility, and if inflammation of the appendages is not treated, this disease can lead to the death of the patient.

Advice! Be sure to consult a doctor if you experience abdominal pain accompanied by an increase in temperature, as well as if there is a change in the nature of discharge from the genital tract.

Diseases affecting the fallopian tubes and ovaries are called inflammation of the appendages

Typically, inflammation is localized simultaneously in both the fallopian tube and the ovary (in medical terms salpingo-oophoritis, or adnexitis), often against this background endomeritis develops (inflammation of the uterine tissue). Inflammation of the appendages in women is manifested primarily by pain in the lower abdomen and increased body temperature. Since the fallopian tubes and ovaries are paired organs, andexitis can be one- or two-sided.

The inflammatory process in the appendages can lead to such dangerous complications as:

  1. tubal and abdominal pregnancy as a result of obstruction of the fallopian tubes;
  2. infertility (with complete obstruction) – observed in every fifth patient who has undergone andexitis;
  3. the phenomenon of partial intestinal obstruction - inflammation can spread to the peritoneal tissue, forming adhesions, thereby disrupting the functioning of the lower intestines;
  4. purulent inflammation both in the uterus itself and in the abdominal cavity ().
  5. tubo-ovarian formations, expressed by purulent melting in the ovaries and fallopian tubes with the development of an abscess.

Salpingo-oophoritis is a fairly common disease, and almost every third woman has inflamed appendages at least once in her life. Women of all ages suffer from this disease, but more often young women - unfortunately, many girls prefer to dress more beautifully than warmly. Despite the seriousness of the disease, patients often put off going to the doctor until the last minute, that is, until the moment when the pain becomes unbearable or the inflammation becomes chronic. To avoid a severe course of the disease and dangerous complications, it is important to consult a specialist in time.

Causes and factors provoking the inflammatory process in the appendages

Inflammation of the appendages in women can have the most unexpected causes, however, there are a number of very specific factors under which the pelvic organs can become inflamed.

Here are the main ones:

  • The impetus for the development of the disease is very often hypothermia: sitting in the cold, clothes not suitable for the weather, clothes with an open stomach, wet or insufficiently warm shoes. A healthy body, in principle, is able to protect itself from an infection that has penetrated from the outside, but stress from hypothermia weakens its protective systems and microorganisms take over.

Hypothermia is one of the main factors of inflammation of the appendages in women
  • Promiscuous unprotected sexual intercourse, which entails the addition of sexually transmitted infections, including dangerous sexually transmitted diseases, often makes itself felt by inflammation of the appendages;
  • Inflammation of the appendages can develop as a consequence of difficult childbirth;
  • The ovary can also become inflamed with appendicitis, since the tissues of these organs are located very close;
  • The development of the disease is also provoked by termination of pregnancy (natural or artificial), and other surgical interventions in the uterus;
  • Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules can also become a trigger for the development of infection and inflammation;
  • Weakened due to a previous (or chronic) illness, as mentioned above, does not give the body the opportunity to overcome the developing disease;
  • Hormonal disorders lead to hypertrophic and other disorders in the tissues of the female genital organs, against the background of which an inflammatory process can develop;
  • Severe stress or nervous tension also act as factors that weaken the immune system with all the ensuing consequences.

Important! It should be understood that the slightest oversight of one’s own body can result in the development of pathology of the organs of the reproductive system for a woman.

The doctor can only determine the causative agent of the disease. They may be:

  • pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms;
  • sexually transmitted pathogens;
  • enterococci;
  • various viruses, including those from the herpes group;

  • fungi;
  • tuberculosis bacillus;
  • coli and so on.

However, as a rule, these are so-called “microbial associations”, which include several representatives of different groups of microorganisms.

Depending on the type of infection, the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves differently. For example, if the causative agent is gonococcus, the signs of the inflammatory process will be clearly expressed, if chlamydia is more blurred, the disease develops almost asymptomatically.

There are three ways of developing the disease:

  1. With an ascending infection, microorganisms penetrate the uterus through the vagina, but there is a fairly acidic environment in it, and the microbes move further into the more “comfortable” fallopian tubes, and through them into the ovaries.
  2. The descending path is when there is already an inflammatory process in the abdominal cavity (appendicitis, for example) and pathogenic microbes move to nearby tissues of the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
  3. Hematogenous route - when an infection enters the tissues of the appendages along with blood. With this development of events, the cause of adnexitis may even be caries.

Symptoms

There are acute and chronic forms of inflammation.

The acute form of adnexitis is characterized by:

  • Aching pain, sharp or dull, localized in the lower abdomen, sometimes radiating to the lower back. The pain syndrome will be more pronounced during menstruation;
  • Pain during physical activity, during bowel movements, urination;
  • Fever up to forty degrees, weakness and chills;
  • Nausea and vomiting;
  • Discharge: profuse leucorrhoea, purulent discharge - depending on the causative agent of the infection;
  • Cycle disorders due to ovarian dysfunction and hormonal imbalance;
  • Decreased or complete absence of sexual desire, pain during intercourse.

Pay attention! If you have severe pain in the lower abdomen, you should immediately contact a medical facility for a diagnosis, since the symptoms of inflammation of the appendages are similar to the symptoms of appendicitis!

  • The chronic form occurs due to an undertreated (or not treated at all) acute form of inflammation of the appendages. In this case, frequent relapses are observed.

In chronic or latent form of inflammation of the appendages in women, the symptoms are less pronounced, the temperature may be low-grade, and lethargy and irritability are observed. Chronic inflammation of the appendages is dangerous because pathological processes occur in the body, weakening and destroying it, but due to sluggish symptoms, the patient is in no hurry to consult a doctor, which ultimately leads to serious complications.

Pay attention! The listed symptoms are common to many other diseases, so it is important to conduct a thorough diagnosis to rule out other diseases.

You should not engage in self-diagnosis based on information from the Internet. You can write to a medical forum about the symptoms that worry you, this will provide some psychological relief, but will not cancel your visit to.

To make an accurate diagnosis, examination results are necessary - manual examination helps to immediately identify enlarged glands as a result of edema. A number of laboratory tests are also required. The diagnosis is clarified according to the data of an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, computed tomography, etc. They do urine and blood tests, and a vaginal smear for flora. If necessary, laparoscopy is prescribed in some cases. Having made a diagnosis, the doctor determines treatment. Symptoms and treatment, respectively, are individual in each case.


Treatment and prevention

Treatment for adnexitis is prescribed in a comprehensive manner, but the main drug in combination therapy is antibiotics.

In acute cases of the disease, it is necessary to observe bed rest and adhere to a diet: completely eliminate salty, spicy, sweet foods; it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids and eat foods rich in fiber.

  • Depending on the results of laboratory tests, two, sometimes even three types of antibiotics are usually prescribed, in the form of injections for the first few days, when the inflammatory process subsides. According to the doctor's instructions, you can take the drugs orally. The following antibiotic combination schemes are used:
  1. Claforan + Gentamicin;
  2. Cephobid + Gentamicin;
  3. Clindamycin + Gentamicin;
  4. Cefazolin+Ciprofloxacin;
  5. Lincomycin, Ofloxacin, Doxycyline.

All of the drugs listed are potent broad-spectrum antibiotics.

  1. Protected penicillins such as Amoxiclav are also used;
  2. Latest generation cephalosporins, in particular Ceftriaxone.
  3. For anaerobic type infections - or Metrogyl.

Along with the antibiotic, antimycotic agents are prescribed:

  1. Diflucan;
  2. Nystatin.
  • The prescribed therapeutic complex may contain non-steroidal painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs:
  1. Ibuprofen;
  2. Ketorol;
  3. Ortofen;
  4. Nurofen et al.
  • To avoid the development of allergic reactions, patients are prescribed medications (suprastin, pipolfen, etc.)
  • For local treatment, douching with solutions of chlorophyllipt, potassium permanganate, and chamomile decoction is used, as well as vaginal suppositories - hexicon, nystatin, terzhinan and others.

  • Physiotherapy in combination with the main treatment gives a good effect. Electrophoresis and heating are often used.
  • Folk remedies for inflammation of the appendages will help speed up the healing process.

Pay attention! If you decide on your own initiative to supplement your treatment with these medications, you should definitely consult with your doctor!

  1. Use herbal infusions and decoctions;
  2. Freshly squeezed aloe juice is used as medicine;
  3. Both compresses and steam baths with chamomile decoction are popular - in each case the method is selected individually.
  4. One of the most popular folk remedies for chronic inflammation of the appendages is a steam bath with wormwood. To prepare it, pour two liters of water into an enameled cylindrical container, bring to a boil, then add 40-50 grams (half a glass) of wormwood herb. Immediately after this, remove the container from the heat, allow to cool slightly and brew. When the water has cooled to an acceptable temperature (so that it is still very warm, but it is no longer possible to get burned), place a towel on the edges of the container and sit over it. Such procedures are very often carried out by lovers of herbal medicine for inflammation of the appendages, and they are also effective for.
  5. Wormwood is also used as a decoction for douching;
  6. A decoction of wormwood, prepared according to the instructions on the pharmaceutical package, is taken orally in a tablespoon three times a day.
  7. Collections of medicinal herbs are widely used, which include herb, yarrow, St. John's wort, horsetail, elecampane root, calendula flowers, ect.

Important! Under no circumstances should this method be used for acute processes and polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as any neoplasms.

Results

To prevent such an unpleasant disease as adnexitis, a woman needs to carefully monitor her own body. First of all, hypothermia should not be allowed. It is also necessary to avoid stress and overwork if possible. It is important to eat a varied and timely diet, do physical exercise, but observe reasonable moderation. Naturally, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene and avoid unprotected sexual relations with non-regular partners.

Important! In some cases, inflammation of the appendages occurs with mild symptoms or is completely asymptomatic. Do not neglect preventive examinations; be sure to visit a gynecologist every six months.

The slightest signs of inflammation of the appendages in a woman, even minor pain in the lower abdomen should be a reason to visit a doctor - it is better to be safe than to undergo long and painful treatment.

From childhood, parents need to explain to girls how to properly take care of themselves, why they need to dress warmly and maintain hygiene. And, of course, do not forget to undergo a preventive examination with a gynecologist once every six months.

Inflammation of the appendages in women is an infectious pathology, and the process affects the ovaries or fallopian tubes, but not the uterus itself. Penetration of the infectious agent into the body occurs in various ways.

The disease can last for a long time without symptoms, sometimes characterized by the appearance of pain in the lower abdomen and menstrual irregularities. Treatment is aimed at destroying the pathogen and restoring the function of the uterine appendages.

Causes

Why do women experience inflammation of the appendages, and what is it? In medicine, this disease is called salpingoophoritis. If the inflammation affects only the fallopian tubes, then salpingitis is diagnosed. An inflammatory process that affects only the ovaries is called oophoritis.

The development of the inflammatory process in the uterine appendages occurs under the influence of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms. There are two types of disease:

  • specific adnexitis caused by diphtheria bacteria, tuberculosis bacillus, gonococci;
  • nonspecific salpingoophoritis, caused by viruses, fungi, E. coli, streptococci, staphylococci, mycoplasmas, chlamydia and other microorganisms.

Penetration of infection into the uterine appendages can occur in the following ways:

  • ascending (pathogenic microbes from the vagina penetrate the uterus, bypassing the cervical canal, into the tubes, and then can enter the ovaries);
  • descending (there is already inflammation in the abdominal cavity, which gradually spreads to healthy tissue);
  • hematogenous (microbes enter the fallopian tubes and ovaries with blood from other internal organs).

The likelihood of inflammation of the appendages increases with the action of provoking factors on the body:

  • hypothermia;
  • weakened immunity;
  • using a contraceptive method such as an intrauterine device;
  • unprotected sex;
  • childbirth or abortion.
can occur in three forms:
  • acute;
  • chronic;
  • latent (asymptomatic, or sluggish).

The disease can be diagnosed at any age. Both young girls who are not sexually active and older women who have reached menopause turn to doctors for help.

Symptoms of inflammation of the appendages

In the case of inflammation of the appendages in women, the presence of certain symptoms depends on certain factors:

  • pathogenicity of the ingested microorganism, its type;
  • on the course of the disease, whether it is an acute process, with pronounced symptoms, or chronic, with erased, barely noticeable symptoms;
  • the girl’s body’s ability to resist microorganisms and fight the inflammatory process, from the state of the immune system.

In acute form women complain of the following symptoms:

  • tense abdomen in the lower regions;
  • , sometimes radiating to the legs or lower back;
  • increased body temperature (it can reach 39 degrees);
  • changes in the menstrual cycle (sudden bleeding or delayed menstruation);
  • vaginal discharge that is different from normal (it may be greenish-purulent or yellowish, thick or foamy).

An incompletely cured disease in the acute period can develop into chronic inflammation of the appendages, the symptoms of which depend on the period of remission or exacerbation. Every second woman with chronic adnexitis experiences the following pathological changes:

  • menstrual irregularities;
  • sexual function disorder;
  • concomitant diseases of the urinary organs (,), etc.

During the period of exacerbation, all symptoms characteristic of acute adnexitis resume.

Chronic adnexitis

Chronic adnexitis develops as a result of untimely or poor-quality treatment of the acute form of the disease; it occurs with periodic seasonal exacerbations. This form of inflammation of the appendages is characterized by the presence of dull, aching pain in the lower abdomen, radiating to the vagina and lumbar region. Palpation of the abdomen determines moderate pain.

Due to structural and functional transformations in the ovaries (lack of ovulation, hypoestrogenism), chronic inflammation of the appendages in women is accompanied by menstrual irregularities, which are manifested by oligomenorrhea (scanty periods), polymenorrhea (heavy periods), algomenorrhea (painful periods). Patients may also complain of a lack or decrease in sexual desire, pain during intercourse.

Diagnostics

The above symptoms may also be present in other diseases of the genital organs, so only a gynecologist can make an accurate diagnosis after examining the patient, collecting anamnesis, and the results of laboratory and instrumental studies:

  • Ultrasound of the uterus and appendages;
  • PCR diagnostics (vaginal smear), which allows you to identify sexually transmitted infections;
  • colposcopy (examination of the vagina and its walls);
  • bacterial sowing;
  • tomography;
  • laparoscopy.

Signs of inflammation of the appendages can be determined by the results of a blood test. During inflammatory processes, the blood formula changes significantly. In addition, during a gynecological examination at an appointment with a gynecologist, a woman feels severe pain in the ovaries and uterus.

Consequences

Any inflammation of the appendages is dangerous because the following complications are possible:

  • development into a chronic form;
  • infertility as a result of the adhesive process, which causes obstruction of the fallopian tubes and anovulation;
  • quite high risk of ectopic conception;
  • purulent complication (tubo-ovarian formation) - purulent melting of the ovaries and tubes, followed by an abscess.

Prevention

  1. Visit a gynecologist regularly, do not resist an examination in the chair, and take smears.
  2. Avoid hypothermia by dressing appropriately for the weather, changing clothes after swimming, and avoiding sitting on cold objects.
  3. If termination of pregnancy is necessary, do it early or with the help of medications, or a mini-abortion (avoid curettage).
  4. Cure teeth, intestines and other foci of chronic infection.
  5. Use barrier methods of contraception.
  6. Treat gynecological diseases in a timely manner.
  7. Follow the rules of healthy eating.
  8. Follow the rules of intimate hygiene.
  9. Avoid douching.
  10. Avoid stress.

Thus, inflammation of the appendages is a serious disease that requires timely treatment, which involves strict compliance with medical instructions.

Treatment of inflammation of the appendages

When diagnosing inflammation of the appendages, treatment in women should be comprehensive: a combination of medications with physiotherapy, gynecological massage, osteopathy, and physiotherapy.

The main point in the treatment of inflammation is antibiotics. They are selected with a wide spectrum of action and maximum half-life. In addition, the woman herself needs to monitor her lifestyle (proper nutrition, abstinence from sexual activity, physical exercise, smoking and alcohol should be stopped).

The disease cannot be neglected, since the inflammatory process soon becomes chronic, which leads to infertility.

Antibiotics for inflammation of the appendages

Antibiotics for inflammation of the appendages are the first and main condition that must be met for a favorable outcome of the disease. How to treat inflammation of the appendages, the dosage and number of doses for each individual woman is determined by a specialist, but we will give you the most commonly prescribed pairs of medications:

  1. Nitroimidazole derivatives (for example, Metronidazole) to eliminate anaerobic flora that can live in an oxygen-free environment, such as gonococci (the causative agents of gonorrhea);
  2. Inhibitor-protected penicillins (Amoxiclav), 3rd generation cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone), macrolides (Erythromycin), etc., which affect aerobic (living in an oxygen environment) flora;
  3. Antifungal drugs (eg, Diflucan, Nystatin).

For the first three to four days until the condition normalizes, all these drugs are administered by injection. Then you can switch to tablet forms and reduce the dose.

Concomitant treatment

In addition to the prescription of antibacterial drugs, detoxification therapy is carried out (intravenous infusions of saline solutions, glucose, hemodez, rheopolyglucin and others in a volume of 2 - 3 liters).

Relief of pain and reduction of the inflammatory process is carried out using tablets. These are Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Ketarol and other drugs. Be sure to prescribe vitamins C and B, as well as allergy pills.

When relieving an acute process and in the treatment of chronic inflammation of the appendages outside of exacerbation, physiotherapy is widely used: copper and zinc electrophoresis according to the phases of the menstrual cycle, electrophoresis with lidase or iodine, ultrasound, high-frequency pulsed currents (CMT, DDT). Also used in rehabilitation treatment are immunomodulators, autohemotherapy, injections of aloe, FIBS, Longidase, etc. For chronic adnexitis, sanatorium-resort treatment is indicated - mud, paraffin, medicinal baths and douching.

Suppositories for inflammation of the appendages

To reduce signs such as inflammation, pain, swelling, and temperature, special suppositories are used that can relieve inflammation. They can also prescribe suppositories that can strengthen the immune system, and this is very important for any illness. Also, such drugs cleanse the body of harmful substances.

All suppositories are prescribed by a doctor, but in any case such treatment will be additional.

Folk remedies

At home you can use some folk recipes:

  1. Take 4 teaspoons finely chopped buckthorn, Chernobyl and peony roots, add 3 teaspoons of burnet and elecampane roots. After this, pour 2 tablespoons of the resulting mixture with half a liter of boiling water. Boil for half an hour over low heat, and then let cool for half an hour. Afterwards, strain and you can add a little honey for taste. Take half a glass 3-4 times a day.
  2. One tablespoon chopped dry boron uterus grass pour a glass of boiling water. Leave for 2 hours. Strain. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day half an hour before meals. The course of treatment is 1 month. After a month's course of treatment of adnexitis with boron uterus, it is advisable to drink another infusion for 2 months - from the grass of the field grass. 1 tbsp. l. pour a glass of boiling water over the herbs, leave for 4 hours, strain. Drink 1 tsp. 30 minutes before meals 4 times a day.
  3. Buldenezh should be collected at the very beginning of flowering (until insects infest them). A tincture of them has excellent antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. A liter jar is filled with inflorescence balls, filled with vodka and sent to a dark, cool place for 15 days. This tincture is rubbed on the lower abdomen, and the inflorescences are applied in the form of compresses.
  4. Take flowers of coltsfoot, sweet clover, centaury in equal proportions. Mix, pre-grind, pour boiling water, let it brew for an hour, then strain the broth through cheesecloth and drink half a glass twice a day. During treatment, abstinence from sexual intercourse is recommended.

Remember that folk remedies are only a supplement and cannot in any way replace drug therapy prescribed by a specialist.

Salpingitis is one of the most common infectious diseases of the pelvis. Isolated inflammation of the fallopian tubes is rare, occurring in only 30 percent of cases. In other cases, inflammation also affects the ovaries with the development of so-called salpingoophoritis. According to various data, on average, one woman in 10 experiences inflammation of the fallopian tubes. In 20 percent of cases, salpingitis ends in infertility.

Anatomy of the uterine appendages

The uterus is an unpaired muscular organ of the female reproductive system. It is pear-shaped, and the fallopian tubes extend from its sides. Normally, the uterus occupies a central position in the pelvis with a slight tilt forward ( towards the bladder). This position is ensured by the ligamentous apparatus of the uterus and its appendages. The uterine appendages are represented by the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Fallopian tubes

The fallopian tubes, or fallopian tubes, are located on both sides of the uterus. They originate in the area of ​​the upper corners of the uterus and go towards the side walls of the pelvis. On average, the length of one pipe is 10–12 centimeters, and the thickness is 0.5 centimeters. Anatomically, the fallopian tube has several parts.

Parts of the fallopian tube:

  • uterine part;
  • isthmus;
  • ampullary part;
  • funnel.
All these parts differ from each other in length and width. So, the narrowest section of the fallopian tube is its uterine part. The funnel is the widest section of the fallopian tube; it ends in many fimbriae, the ends of which reach the ovaries. Through these fimbriae, a mature follicle is caught, which then moves along the fallopian tube ( namely inside its cavity) and reaches the body of the uterus.

The fallopian tube is located in the uterus, connecting the cavity of the fallopian tube with the cavity of the uterus itself. The funnel, opening into the abdominal cavity, communicates with the cavity of the fallopian tube. Thus, at one end the fallopian tube communicates with the abdominal cavity, and at the other with the uterine cavity. As a result of this anatomical feature, the uterine cavity communicates with the pelvic cavity and the abdominal cavity. This explains the process of infection spreading through the fallopian tubes. On the one hand, the infectious agent can penetrate the fallopian tube from the vagina and uterus ( upward path), and on the other hand it can penetrate from the abdominal cavity ( descending path).

The walls of the fallopian tubes are somewhat different from the walls of the uterus itself. Unlike the uterus, whose walls consist of three layers, the walls of the fallopian tubes consist of four.

The structure of the walls of the fallopian tubes:

  • inner mucous layer;
  • muscle layer;
  • subserosal layer;
  • serous or connective layer.
Under the influence of various external and internal factors, the internal mucous layer is subject to the greatest changes. Thus, with salpingitis, the inflammatory process initially affects the mucous layer of the tube with the development of so-called endosalpingitis. Then it passes to the muscular and serous membranes. As a result of damage to all layers of the fallopian tubes, an adhesive process develops in them. Adhesions are connective tissue cords that form between the tubes and ovaries, uterine ligaments and other organs.

With the development of an inflammatory process affecting all layers, the walls of the pipes thicken and deform, and their patency is impaired.

Ovaries

The ovaries are paired female sex glands that are located in the pelvis on either side of the uterus. The average size of the ovaries ranges from 2 to 5 centimeters in length and from 1.5 to 3 centimeters in width. They perform a number of important functions in a woman’s body.

Functions of the ovaries:

  • storage of germ cells;
  • monthly maturation of germ cells;
  • synthesis of sex hormones ( estrogen, progestin).
Structure of the ovaries
The ovary has two layers - the cortex and the stroma. The cortex is represented by many vesicles called follicles. These vesicles contain female reproductive cells or eggs. In follicles, eggs are at different stages of maturation. The larger the follicle, the more mature the egg in it. The ovarian stroma consists of connective tissue.

The ovaries are located in close proximity to the fallopian tubes. One of the longest tube fimbriae approaches the tubal end of the ovary. This explains the fact that isolated inflammation of the fallopian tubes is extremely rare. Most often, salpingitis occurs with the involvement of the ovaries, and in this case it is called salpingoophoritis.
The ovaries are mobile organs of the small pelvis. Like the uterus itself, they are fixed in a suspended state by ligaments.

Causes of inflammation of the fallopian tubes

There are many reasons that cause inflammation of the fallopian tubes. Basically, these are various microbial associations, as well as viruses. Most often, infection occurs through an ascending route, that is, infection from the genitals ( vagina) or genitourinary organs ( urethra) rises to the fallopian tubes.

Sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted diseases include bacterial, viral and protozoal infections.

The most common sexually transmitted infections:

  • herpes simplex virus type 2.
These infections cause inflammation of both the genital and urinary organs. Thus, chlamydial infection most often affects the urethra with the development of urethritis, and trichomonas infection affects the vagina with the development of vaginitis. A feature of the fungal infection is that it affects both the vulva and vagina, which is called vulvovaginitis.

The mechanism of infection penetration into the fallopian tubes
A feature of most infections is their asymptomatic course. As a result, women do not seek help from a doctor for a long time, and the disease becomes chronic. Prolonged residence of bacteria and viruses in the mucous membrane of the genital organs causes a local decrease in immunity and impaired circulation in these organs. Further infection under the influence of any factor ( stress, cold) begins to spread upward. From the vagina or urethra, penetrating through the cervical canal, it first enters the uterine cavity and then reaches the fallopian tubes.

The mechanism of development of salpingitis
Source of infection ( virus or bacteria) having penetrated the mucous membrane of the fallopian tubes, it begins to actively multiply there. The mucous membrane of the fallopian tubes becomes swollen, and blood circulation in it worsens. The proliferation of a bacterial infection is accompanied by the accumulation of pus in the pipes. Further, the inflammatory process affects all layers of the fallopian tubes, which leads to their thickening and the development of an adhesive process. As a result, tubal obstruction develops, which is one of the most common causes of female infertility. Salpingitis, which develops as a result of sexually transmitted infections, is usually bilateral.

Each sexually transmitted infection has its own mechanism of disease development and its own characteristics. Thus, gonococcal infection provokes the development of purulent bilateral salpingitis. Chlamydial salpingitis, which is diagnosed in 30–40 percent of cases, is more often than others complicated by an adhesive process. As a rule, chlamydia damages not only the lining of the tubes, but also the ovaries, disrupting the process of maturation of eggs in them.

Promiscuous sexual intercourse increases the risk of developing salpingitis several times. This is explained by the fact that this increases the risk of infection, as well as the simultaneous development of several infections or the so-called microbial association. At the same time, local immunity decreases, and the genital mucosa becomes less resistant to the penetration of bacteria.

Mechanical damage to the uterine mucosa and fallopian tubes

In addition to the immediate causes that trigger the inflammatory reaction, there are also provoking factors. These factors create conditions for the penetration of bacteria and the development of inflammation. These include various mechanical damage to the mucous membrane due to abortion and other manipulations.

Normally, the penetration and further development of bacteria is prevented by a healthy mucous membrane. The topmost layer of mucosa ( epithelium) is one of the protective factors against infections. However, various damage to this epithelial layer becomes the main gateway for infections.

Manipulations leading to damage to the lining of the uterus and fallopian tubes:

  • abortions with curettage;
  • birth injuries;
  • intrauterine devices;
  • various intrauterine diagnostic procedures - salpingoscopy, metrosalpingography.
Abortion and birth trauma
Abortions and birth injuries damage the integrity of the lining of the uterus and fallopian tubes. The greatest damage is caused by curettage, as a result of which not only the mucous layer can be damaged, but also the muscle layer. Those places that were subject to trauma are subsequently overgrown with connective tissue. Blood circulation and nutrition are disrupted in them. All this makes the mucous membrane of the fallopian tubes less resistant to infections.

Intrauterine devices
But not only mechanical damage can reduce the resistance of the mucous membrane. Intrauterine devices are often perceived by the female body as a foreign body. As a result, a cascade of inflammatory and allergic reactions is launched in the uterine mucosa, which also leads to a decrease in local immunity.

The insertion and removal of the intrauterine device itself can also cause damage to the mucosa. The greatest danger is the removal of a complicated intrauterine device by instrumental means.

Diagnostic manipulations
During metrosalpingography, the patency of the fallopian tubes is visualized by introducing a contrast agent into the uterine cavity. After the contrast agent has been injected, its distribution is observed on x-rays. Contraindications to this manipulation are acute infectious processes, but at the same time the manipulation itself can contribute not only to damage to the mucous membrane, but also to the exacerbation of chronic genital tract infections.

Salpingoscopy is performed using a special apparatus ( salpingoscope), which is inserted into the fallopian tube through a funnel. The process of inserting a salpingoscope takes place during laparoscopy. In this case, not only the mucous membrane of the fallopian tube can be damaged, but also all its layers.

Thus, the leading mechanism in the development of salpingitis, on the one hand, is an infection ascending from the genital organs, and on the other, a violation of the integrity of the mucous membrane and a decrease in immunity.

Inflammation of neighboring organs

In the development of salpingitis, inflammatory processes of neighboring organs play an important role ( intestines, bladder). Due to the close location, infections from these organs can spread to the fallopian tubes. Most often, the infection penetrates through the lymphatic vessels with the lymph flow, but it can also penetrate with the blood flow ( tuberculous salpingitis) or by contact.

Pathologies that may be complicated by the development of salpingitis:

  • pelvioperitonitis;
In these pathologies, the infectious process, due to the close proximity, moves from one organ ( intestines) to the fallopian tubes. With inflammation of the ovaries ( oophoritis) the infection in 9 out of 10 cases spreads to the fallopian tube. This occurs due to direct contact of the ovary and the fallopian tube, as a result of which the infection spreads to the tube by contact.

For inflammatory bowel diseases ( colitis, appendicitis) the inflammatory process is transmitted both by contact and by lymph flow. Appendicitis can be not only the cause of the development of salpingitis, but also its complication.

Pelvioperitonitis is an inflammation of the serous membrane covering the walls of the pelvic cavity ( in the clinic it is called the peritoneum). Most often it is a complication of any primary infectious process, for example, appendicitis. The peritoneum lines not only the walls of the pelvic cavity, but also the pelvic organs, namely the uterus and fallopian tubes. Therefore, the inflammatory reaction from the peritoneum spreads to the organs that are covered with it.

Types of salpingitis

Salpingitis is classified according to several criteria, namely by location, nature of inflammation and course of the disease. According to the nature of the course, acute and chronic salpingitis are distinguished, by localization - right-sided and left-sided, and by the nature of inflammation - purulent and serous.

Acute salpingitis

Acute salpingitis develops due to the penetration of an infectious pathogen into the fallopian tubes against the background of a general decrease in immunity. The pathogen can penetrate both through the ascending route ( from the vagina), and descending from any primary focus ( appendicitis). Most often, acute salpingitis develops against the background of inflammation of the ovaries, cysts or ectopic pregnancy. Its peculiarity is its pronounced symptoms, as well as the presence of general and local symptoms. Acute salpingitis begins with a sharp deterioration in the condition and an increase in temperature above 38 degrees.

General symptoms of acute salpingitis:

  • increase in temperature;
  • weakness, malaise;
  • increased heart rate.
These symptoms are common to all inflammatory reactions, but in acute salpingitis they are most pronounced. So, with gonococcal and streptococcal salpingitis, these symptoms are most pronounced. There is a high temperature ( 38 – 39 degrees), which is accompanied by chills and severe malaise. With tuberculous salpingitis, the temperature is 37.5 - 38 degrees.

Increased heart rate
Increased heart rate is also a common symptom of an inflammatory response. It is caused by an increase in body temperature. It is known that heart rate correlates with body temperature. So, with an increase in temperature by one degree, the heart rate increases by 8 - 10 beats per minute. Accordingly, the higher the temperature, the stronger the heartbeat.

Weakness, malaise
Weakness, malaise, muscle and joint pain are caused by the effect of bacterial toxins on the body. Each type of infection has its own toxins, which are specific to various tissues. Thus, some are characterized by an affinity for nervous tissue, and at the same time develop symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, and for others - to muscle tissue, which is manifested by severe muscle pain and weakness.

Local symptoms of acute salpingitis:

  • pain in the groin area;
  • pathological discharge from the genitals;
  • gastrointestinal and urinary symptoms.

Pain in the groin area
The development of pain syndrome is caused by inflammatory reactions in the fallopian tube. In this case, mediators of pain sensitivity are released, primarily bradykinins and prostaglandins. As the inflammatory process develops, the pain intensifies. After all layers of the fallopian tube have been affected by inflammation, it increases in size, swells and begins to compress the surrounding tissue. In this case, the pain begins to radiate to the tailbone and rectum.

The location of the pain depends on which fallopian tube is inflamed. Thus, with right-sided salpingitis, pain is localized on the right and can often imitate acute appendicitis; with left-sided salpingitis, pain on the left; with bilateral pain is localized on both sides.

Pathological discharge from the genitals
The nature of discharge in acute salpingitis depends on the type of pathogen. With gonococcal salpingitis, purulent discharge is observed, with trichomonas - abundant, foamy discharge. In extremely severe cases, even spotting may occur.

In acute salpingitis, the discharge is usually always profuse. They may be accompanied by itching and burning, which will intensify with urination.

Gastrointestinal and urinary symptoms
As a rule, acute salpingitis is accompanied by disorders of neighboring organs. Disorders of the urinary system are most often observed. This is due to the close location of the bladder next to the uterus and fallopian tubes. Therefore, when the latter are inflamed, reflex irritation of the bladder is observed. This is manifested by painful and scanty, but frequent urination. Very often these symptoms are confused with cystitis.
In addition to the urinary system, the gastrointestinal tract is also irritated. Most often, there is a stool disorder, which is manifested by frequent bowel movements and loose, unformed stools.

Chronic salpingitis

Chronic salpingitis is characterized by very sluggish and meager symptoms. The general condition is satisfactory, temperature is observed extremely rarely. Even if there is a temperature, it ranges from 37 to 37.2 degrees. There is scant discharge and mild but constant pain in the lower abdomen. The nature of the pain is not acute, but rather dull or aching. The course of chronic salpingitis is wavy. It can periodically intensify and also periodically fade. Exacerbations can be triggered by stress, hypothermia.

In chronic salpingitis, menstrual irregularities are observed. Most often painful ( algomenorrhea) and scarce ( oligomenorrhea) menstruation. Bowel or bladder irritation is rare.

Despite the poor clinical picture, chronic salpingitis has a poor prognosis. Most often it is the cause of infertility. The most unfavorable prognosis concerns chronic bilateral salpingitis, since it affects both fallopian tubes at once.

Left-sided salpingitis

Left-sided salpingitis develops with inflammation of the colon in the sections that are located on the left side of the abdominal cavity. The infection can be caused by diseases such as pneumonia, sore throat, and influenza. The process is localized in the left fallopian tube and often accompanies a disease such as inflammation of the ovaries ( adnexitis).

The course of left-sided salpingitis
The inflammatory process affects the mucous membrane of the fallopian tube, after which it spreads to muscle and connective tissue. The mucous membrane swells, redness occurs, and the surface layer becomes covered with ulcers. With the further development of the pathological process, the dying layers begin to stick together and form cavities in which blood, mucus and pus accumulate.

Symptoms of left-sided inflammation of the fallopian tubes can be either pronounced or blurred and depend on the form of the disease ( acute, chronic, subacute). The pathology is accompanied by both general and specific manifestations of salpingitis.

Prognosis of left-sided salpingitis
The prognosis of left-sided salpingitis is favorable in cases where the patient consults a doctor at the first symptoms. If treatment is started on time, recovery and restoration of uterine function occurs within a few weeks.

Right-sided salpingitis

With right-sided salpingitis, the inflammatory process is localized in the right fallopian tube. This pathology can be caused by chlamydia, fungi, E. coli or tuberculosis. The reason for the penetration of pathogens into the vagina may be a lack of proper personal hygiene, unprotected sexual intercourse, or negligence during gynecological operations. Also, right-sided inflammation of the fallopian tubes can develop with appendicitis.

The course of right-sided salpingitis
Penetration of sources of infection into the fallopian tube causes swelling and impaired blood circulation. The inflammatory process affects muscle tissue, as a result of which the appendages become deformed and thicken. Next, the thickenings in the tube begin to stick together with the peritoneum, forming adhesions. The process can affect the appendicular process and cause secondary appendicitis.

Due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure, right-sided salpingitis causes difficulties in diagnosis, since its symptoms are similar to a number of diseases. Most often it is confused with appendicitis or ovarian apoplexy.

Prognosis of right-sided salpingitis
If right-sided salpingitis is detected in a timely manner and appropriate treatment is prescribed, the prognosis is positive. Complete recovery of the patient and regeneration of all functions of the genital organs is possible in two to three weeks.

Purulent salpingitis

Purulent salpingitis in most cases is a consequence of gonorrheal infection. When chlamydia penetrates the fallopian tubes, the inflammatory process affects the uterus and ovaries. Purulent salpingitis can be caused by miscarriage, spontaneous miscarriages, or expired contraceptive devices.

The mechanism of development of purulent salpingitis
This pathology is accompanied by the accumulation of purulent exudate in the cavity of the tube, which is the result of an inflammatory process. When pus enters the abdominal cavity, purulent salpingitis provokes inflammation of the serous covering of the peritoneum ( peritonitis). Also, pus can break into the bladder, rectum, or vagina. As a rule, purulent salpingitis is unilateral.

Symptoms of purulent salpingitis
In most patients, the manifestation of purulent salpingitis is accompanied by fever, chills, severe and acute pain in the lower abdomen. At the onset of the disease, the pain is local in nature, its typical location is the left and right groin areas. Subsequently, the pain radiates to the lumbar and rectal area. With concomitant inflammation of the mucous membrane and muscles of the uterus ( endometritis) median pain predominates.

A feature of the symptoms of purulent salpingitis is constant leucorrhoea ( genital discharge) purulent type. The prognosis for purulent salpingitis is favorable with timely surgical treatment. Otherwise, purulent salpingitis is complicated by peritonitis.

Salpingitis with oophoritis

Salpingitis with oophoritis ( salpingo-oophoritis) – is an inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This form of salpingitis is the most common. Predisposing factors to the occurrence of salpingoophoritis are a weakened immune system, hypothermia, and stress.

Course of salpingitis with oophoritis
The development of the inflammatory process during salpingitis with oophoritis begins with the entry of a pathogenic factor into the mucous membrane of the fallopian tube. Next, the process moves to muscle tissue and the serous membrane, then captures the pelvic peritoneum and the integumentary epithelium of the ovary. After ovulation occurs, the infection penetrates the ovary and continues to develop there. With salpingitis with oophoritis, the tube and ovary merge together, forming a common inflammatory conglomerate.

If treatment is started in a timely manner and carried out correctly, the prognosis for restoring reproductive function is favorable; in the opposite case, salpingoophoritis is complicated by infertility and ovarian hypofunction.

Symptoms of inflammation of the fallopian tubes

Symptoms of inflammation of the fallopian tubes depend on the nature of the inflammation, the location of the source of inflammation, as well as on the individual characteristics of the woman. The woman's concomitant diseases have a great influence on the symptoms of salpingitis. First of all, this concerns sexually transmitted infections. This or that infection in a woman’s body determines the nature of inflammation, the severity of general and local symptoms of salpingitis.


Symptoms of inflammation of the fallopian tubes:
  • pain in the lower abdomen;
  • increased body temperature;
  • discharge;
  • menstrual irregularities;
  • painful sexual intercourse;
  • female infertility.

Pain in the lower abdomen

Pain is the main symptom of salpingitis. Pain is present in both acute and chronic salpingitis. The development of pain symptoms is associated with the development of inflammatory edema in the mucous membrane of the fallopian tubes. In this case, the fallopian tube ( or pipes) swells and increases in size, irritating the serosa ( peritoneum), which is penetrated by numerous nerve endings. As the fallopian tube increases in size, it begins to compress other nearby organs and nerve endings, causing pain to spread.

In acute salpingitis, the pain is burning, sharp, and often radiates to the rectum. With right-sided salpingitis, the pain is located on the right; with left-sided inflammation of the fallopian tube, the pain is localized on the left. With chronic salpingitis, dull, constant pain in the lower abdomen is observed. The pain intensifies during urination or during sexual intercourse.

Increased body temperature

Elevated body temperature is a mandatory symptom for purulent and acute salpingitis. The appearance of temperature is due to the activity of bacteria at the site of inflammation. First of all, this is the release by bacteria of substances that cause temperature. These substances are called pyrogens. Pyrogens can be produced not only by bacteria, but also by the body itself in response to the penetration of bacteria into it. In this case, they are called endogenous pyrogens. The temperature in acute salpingitis is caused by both body pyrogens and bacterial pyrogens.

In acute and purulent salpingitis, a temperature of 38 – 38.5 degrees is observed. It occurs suddenly and is accompanied by chills and increased sweating.
In chronic salpingitis, low-grade fever may be observed ( 37 – 37.2 degrees). In this case, temperature fluctuations may occur during the day. There may be no temperature at all, for example, with chlamydial salpingitis. However, the presence or absence of temperature does not always correlate with the prognosis of the disease. Thus, chlamydial salpingitis, which is characterized by a blurred clinical picture and absence of fever, is most often complicated by infertility.

Discharge

The nature and intensity of discharge during salpingitis depends on the source of infection. Basically, inflammation of the fallopian tubes is characterized by scant mucopurulent discharge. They are formed due to the intensive proliferation of bacteria in the uterine mucosa and represent an accumulation of mucus, epithelial cells of the uterus and pathogenic bacteria. By multiplying in the mucous membrane of the uterus and fallopian tubes, bacteria stimulate increased secretion of the glands, which are located in the mucous membrane. As a result of this, more mucus is formed than is expected to be normal. Subsequently, cells involved in inflammation join it ( leukocytes) and the bacteria themselves.

In chronic forms of salpingitis, discharge may be absent and observed only periodically during exacerbations.

Menstrual irregularities

Menstrual irregularities are an integral symptom in chronic forms of salpingitis. Violations can manifest themselves in the form of heavy or, conversely, scanty menstruation. Most often, periods become heavy and painful, and the discharge may contain blood clots. But scanty discharge with severe pain can also be observed.
The duration of the entire menstrual cycle may be shortened, and menstruation becomes irregular.

Menstrual irregularities occur primarily due to changes in ovarian function. With chronic inflammation of the fallopian tubes, a decrease in ovarian function is observed, which leads to a decrease in the level of female hormones. The consequence of this is menstrual irregularities, as well as sexual dysfunction.

Painful sexual intercourse

Pain during sexual intercourse is a common symptom in subacute and chronic forms of salpingitis. The pain is localized in the lower abdomen and is dull, drawing in nature. The pain syndrome is caused by both inflammation in the mucous membrane and decreased ovarian function. In the first case, pain occurs due to irritation of the inflamed vaginal mucosa. In the second case, the cause of pain is a decrease in estrogen levels. This symptom is also accompanied by a lack of sexual desire itself.

Female infertility

Female infertility is more a complication of salpingitis than a symptom. It develops due to obstruction of the fallopian tubes. The development of fallopian tube obstruction is based on the adhesive process that is observed in chronic salpingitis. Due to prolonged inflammation and damage to all layers of the fallopian tube ( or pipes) adhesions are formed. Adhesions are connecting cords that form both in the tube itself and between the fallopian tube and other organs. The adhesions themselves form around the inflammatory fluid that accumulates in the pipes. This inflammatory exudate may flow from the fallopian tube through the infundibulum into the pelvic cavity. As a result, adhesions begin to form between the tube and the ovary, thereby closing the lumen of the tube.

The consequence of the intense adhesive process is obstruction of the fallopian tubes. If the lumen of the tube closes in the funnel area, then the tube becomes completely impassable and therefore the mature egg, after leaving the follicle, cannot penetrate it and further reach the uterus. But even if the strands have formed somewhere in the middle of the fallopian tube, this still prevents the egg from entering the uterus. The released egg, although it penetrates the fallopian tube, gets stuck somewhere in the middle, never reaching the bottom of the uterus.

The greatest risk of developing female infertility is observed with bilateral chronic salpingitis, since it affects two fallopian tubes at the same time. With unilateral salpingitis, even if an adhesive process has developed, one fallopian tube remains functional. The risk of developing infertility in this case is reduced by half.

Diagnosis of inflammation of the fallopian tubes

Methods for diagnosing salpingitis:
  • gynecological examination;
  • Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
  • laparoscopy;
  • radiocontrast methods;
  • bacteriological examination of a smear from the cervix.

Gynecological examination

A gynecological examination is a method consisting of several stages of examination by a gynecologist. It includes digital vaginal examination and speculum examination. The examination is carried out on a gynecological chair using disposable latex gloves. The patient is lying on her back with her knees bent and ankles on a special stand.

Research using mirrors
This study consists of visualizing the walls of the vagina, its fornix and the cervix using vaginal speculum. There are many models of vaginal specula, which are selected by a gynecologist. The most commonly used mirrors are Sims spoon mirrors. Initially, the lower mirror is introduced, and then the front one. With salpingitis, mucopurulent mucus is visible on the walls of the vagina and cervix. Also, various pathological changes in the form of erosions, dysplasias, and tumor-like formations may be present on the mucosa.

Digital vaginal examination
A digital vaginal examination is carried out following a speculum examination. During this examination, the gynecologist inserts two fingers of one hand into the patient’s vagina, and places the other hand and lightly presses on the lower abdomen. This determines the shape and position of the uterus, the condition of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. With salpingitis, the doctor feels a compacted, sharply painful fallopian tube ( one or two) and ovary. With the development of an adhesive process in the fallopian tubes and ovaries, the gynecologist probes the tumor-like formation, which consists of adhesions, the ovary and the fallopian tube.

Ultrasound of the pelvic organs

Ultrasound examination is a non-invasive research method using ultrasonic waves. An ultrasound of the pelvic organs is performed by an ultrasound diagnostic specialist.

When examining the pelvic organs, two types of ultrasound are used - transabdominal and transvaginal. In the first case, the sensor is applied to the lower abdomen at the projection points of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, that is, to the right and left groin area. In the second case, the sensor is inserted into the vagina. In both cases, the woman is in a supine position on a couch. Before performing a transabdominal ultrasound, a woman should fill her bladder as much as possible by first drinking 4 to 5 glasses of water.

Signs of salpingitis on ultrasound:

  • thickening of the walls of the fallopian tube;
  • dilation of the fallopian tube with hypoechoic contents ( for chronic salpingitis);
  • adhesions ( for chronic salpingitis);
  • accumulation of fluid in the retrouterine space.
Signs of salpingoophoritis on ultrasound:
  • spherical shape of the ovary with a vague outline;
  • heterogeneous structure of the ovary, on ultrasound it appears hypoechoic ( dark) and hyperechoic ( light) areas;
  • accumulation of fluid in the pelvis;
  • blurred visualization of follicles.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is the main method for diagnosing acute salpingitis; its accuracy is 80–90 percent. However, this method is associated with numerous risks, including the development of adhesions.

Laparoscopy consists of visualizing the uterine appendages ( fallopian tubes and ovaries) using a laparoscope. This method is a kind of mini-operation, which is performed under local anesthesia. A laparoscope, which is a tube with a lens system, is inserted into the abdominal cavity through small holes. Through an optical cable connected to it, the doctor visualizes the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Thus, tissues are directly visualized and inflammatory processes in them are determined.

With purulent salpingitis, the doctor can visualize the accumulation of pus or even blood in the fallopian tube. The fallopian tube itself looks swollen, enlarged, and sharply red.

X-ray contrast methods

Radiocontrast methods include metrosalpingography, which is used mainly to assess the patency of the fallopian tubes. The method allows you to evaluate the shape, structure, as well as the lumen of the uterus and fallopian tubes.

Metrosalpingography
The method consists of injecting a contrast agent into the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes, with further tracing of this substance on x-rays. This procedure is performed in an x-ray room. The woman is in a gynecological chair with her knees bent. The chair is placed under the fluoroscope camera. The doctor inserts a catheter into the cervix, after which contrast is injected into it. Gradually, the contrast agent fills the uterus and fallopian tubes. In this case, delayed images are taken. The procedure lasts from 15 to 30 minutes, after which the catheter is removed.

Next, using the images, the doctor evaluates the passage of the substance through the fallopian tubes. If the substance passes completely and evenly through the pipes, then there is no obstruction. If the contrast ceases to fill the fallopian tube at a certain level, then there is obstruction of the fallopian tubes.

Most often, obstruction in the fallopian tubes is caused by adhesions in chronic salpingitis. Adhesions deform the fallopian tube and also fill its lumen. As a result, the lumen of the fallopian tube becomes impassable for the egg, which causes infertility.

Bacteriological examination of a smear from the cervix

Bacteriological examination of a smear from the cervix is ​​one of the mandatory methods for diagnosing salpingitis, since the most common cause of salpingitis is sexually transmitted infections ( STI).

Infections most often enter the fallopian tube via an ascending route through the vagina, cervix, and uterus itself, eventually reaching the fallopian tubes. Therefore, when treating salpingitis, it is necessary to find out which infection persists in the woman’s genital tract. To do this, during a gynecological examination, a smear is taken for bacteriological examination. The doctor takes a smear from the cervix and urethra with a special brush. Next, it is fixed on a glass slide and sent to the laboratory, where it is studied under a microscope. With salpingitis, an increased number of leukocytes, opportunistic bacteria, and a decrease in the number of good bacteria are detected ( lacto- and bifidobacteria)

However, not all infections are detected by this method. Therefore, if the smear shows signs of inflammation ( increased white blood cell count), but the pathogen has not been identified, the doctor may recommend bacteriological culture or smear analysis using the PCR method ( polymerase chain reaction) .

Treatment of inflammation of the fallopian tubes

Drug treatment

Drug treatment of salpingitis includes not only eliminating the infection and anti-inflammatory therapy, but also enhancing the woman’s immune system.

Antibacterial drugs aimed at eliminating infection from the woman’s genitourinary system take first place in the treatment of salpingitis. For acute salpingitis, symptomatic treatment is also used, namely antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs. The main role in chronic salpingitis is given to immunomodulators.

Antibacterial drugs for salpingitis

Drug name Mechanism of action Directions for use
Ampicillin Prevents the development of most bacteria by inhibiting the synthesis of their wall. Ampoules of 500 mg or 1 g are diluted with saline or novocaine solution.
Intramuscularly 500 mg every 6 hours. For purulent salpingitis, 1 gram every 8 hours. The maximum dose is 3 – 4 grams per day.
Ampicillin + Oxacillin
(trade name Ampiox)
Has antibacterial and bactericidal effects. Orally 500 mg, which is equal to two capsules, every 6 hours.
Cephalexin
(trade name Ecocephron)
Inhibits the synthesis of cellular elements of most bacteria, thereby preventing their reproduction. One or two capsules inside ( 250 – 500 mg) 3 – 4 times a day.
Intramuscularly, one ampoule ( 250 mg) every 6 hours.
Cefotaxime
(trade name Claforan)
Inhibits the synthesis of cellular elements of most bacteria, thereby preventing their reproduction. It is a newer drug from the group of cephalosporins. Intravenously or intramuscularly. For salpingitis of moderate severity, a single dose of the drug is 1 gram, and a daily dose is 3 grams, that is, 1 gram every 8 hours.
For severe salpingitis, the dose is doubled.
Erythromycin Prevents the proliferation of bacteria at the site of inflammation. One capsule inside ( 250 mg) 4 times a day. In severe cases, the dose is doubled to 2 grams ( 8 capsules) per day.
Metronidazole
(trade name Klion)
Blocks the proliferation of not only bacteria, but also protozoa ( trichomonas). One tablet each ( 250 mg) 3-4 times a day. The maximum dose of metronidazole is 1.5 grams.
Furazolidone Has antimicrobial and antiprotozoal effects. 100 mg each ( 2 capsules) 4 times a day, in combination with the main antibiotic.
Tetracycline Stops the growth and reproduction of bacteria at the site of inflammation. 250 – 500 mg ( one to two capsules) 4 times a day after meals.
Kanamycin It disrupts the synthesis of proteins in bacteria, thereby preventing their reproduction. The powder is diluted with saline solution or 0.5 percent solution of novocaine
Intramuscularly 1 gram ( one ampoule) twice a day.

The drugs of choice for salpingitis are penicillin antibiotics, as well as combined penicillins ( for example, ampiox). For purulent salpingitis, drugs from the cephalosporin group are used ( cephalexin and cefotaxime) and aminoglycosides ( kanamycin). Most often, antibiotics are combined with nitrofuran derivatives ( furazolidone), and for salpingitis caused by Trichomonas - with metronidazole. For chlamydial salpingitis, it is advisable to use tetracycline antibiotics ( tetracycline) and macrolides ( erythromycin).

Common symptoms after surgical treatment of salpingitis:

  • weakness;
  • not severe nausea;
  • frequent urge to urinate.
These phenomena disappear within two to three days and do not require special treatment. Sutures are removed ten to fourteen days after surgery. For one to two weeks after laparoscopy, the patient may experience mild mucous or bloody discharge from the vagina. If the intensity of the discharge increases, you should consult a doctor, as this may indicate internal bleeding.

Recommendations for nutrition and lifestyle after surgery
During the first day after laparoscopy, you must refrain from eating. On the second and third days, preference should be given to dairy products
low fat ( kefir, yogurt), breadcrumbs and lean meat. From the fourth day you need to gradually return to a normal diet. Bed rest should be discontinued the day after laparoscopy to prevent the development of thrombosis.

For two to three weeks after surgery, you should avoid heavy physical activity and sports. Sudden movements, heavy lifting, long flights and trips should be avoided. When taking a shower, you should not rub the seams with a washcloth, and after water procedures you should treat the surface of the wounds with antiseptics ( solutions of brilliant green or potassium permanganate). For two weeks you should not take a bath, visit saunas, or swim in pools, lakes and other bodies of water. Clothing should be loose and does not put pressure on the seams.
You should return to sexual activity depending on the recommendations given by your doctor.

Planning pregnancy after surgical treatment
Elimination of obstruction of the fallopian tubes increases the patient's chances of becoming pregnant. Over time, the likelihood of conception decreases, since after a year or two a new adhesive process may occur. Those women who want to become pregnant need to start taking hormonal medications for several months after surgery. Next you should start planning your pregnancy. The chances of restoring fertility depend on the location of the adhesions. If it was around the fallopian tube, more than half of the patients manage to get pregnant naturally ( 60 percent). If adhesions form inside, the likelihood of pregnancy is reduced to 10 percent.

Traditional methods of treatment

Treatment of salpingitis with traditional medicine includes the following procedures:
  • baths;
  • douching;
  • medicinal tampons;
  • infusions and decoctions.

Baths

When the fallopian tubes are inflamed, baths have a tonic and cleansing effect and help reduce pain during exacerbations of the disease. Baths also help strengthen the immune system. According to the method of carrying out the procedure, they are divided into water and steam.

Baths with juniper
These water procedures are recommended for patients with bilateral salpingitis. To prepare such a bath, you should take 50 grams of common juniper ( veres) and fill with a liter ( four glasses) boiling water. Berries and plant stems can be used as raw materials. After the juniper has infused ( two - three hours), add the infusion to a bath of water. The water temperature should be 35 - 37 degrees. The duration of the bath should not exceed half an hour ( thirty minutes).

Sage baths
Baths with sage infusion are recommended for women with chronic salpingitis. Add clary sage infusion to a bathtub filled two-thirds with fresh water, the temperature of which does not exceed 35 degrees. To prepare the decoction you will need one hundred grams of dry sage. Fill the raw material with one liter of water ( four glasses) and put on low heat for an hour and a half.

Baths with valerian
Baths with valerian extract have a relaxing and restorative effect on the body. Fill the bathtub with water so that the water level in a sitting position does not exceed the chest line. The water temperature should not exceed forty degrees. Add fifty milliliters to the bath ( three and a half tablespoons) valerian extract. The duration of the procedure is twenty to thirty minutes.

Rosemary baths
To prepare a rosemary bath, you will need thirty milliliters ( two tablespoons) extract of this plant, which must be purchased at the pharmacy. The pharmaceutical product can be replaced with an infusion prepared at home. To do this, pour three hundred grams of rosemary leaves with three liters of water ( twelve glasses) and, bringing to a boil, keep on low heat for thirty to forty minutes.

Milk steam bath
A milk bath will help relieve pain from inflammation of the tubes. To carry out this procedure comfortably and effectively, you need to purchase a stool or chair with a hole in the seat. To prepare a milk steam bath, boil three liters of fresh cow's milk. Cool the milk slightly and pour it into a basin or other container, the volume of which does not exceed ten liters. Place a stool over the container and sit on it, giving the steam access to the genitals. If you don't have a chair with a hole, you can do without it by squatting over the steam. The lower part of the body must be wrapped in a warm blanket. The procedure must be carried out until the milk cools down. Systematically - once a day before bed for three to four weeks.

Douching

The principle of douching is to rinse the vagina with herbal decoctions. To carry out the procedure, a gynecological syringe is required, which must first be disinfected. Douching can be done while lying on your back. It is more convenient to do the procedure in a horizontal position in the bath. Fill a syringe with a pre-prepared decoction. Treat the vaginal vestibule with sterile Vaseline or baby cream. Lie down on the bottom of the bathtub and put your feet up on the sides. Relax your muscles and insert the tip of the syringe into the vagina, releasing the air from it. Pour the solution inside the vagina. The duration of the procedure should not exceed fifteen minutes. The temperature of the decoction during the first procedure should be thirty-seven to thirty-eight degrees. When carrying out subsequent procedures, the temperature of the liquid must be gradually increased to forty-five to forty-eight degrees. If during douching the body temperature rises or pain increases, the temperature of the infusion should be reduced. To increase the effect, after douching, you need to put a heating pad or make a warm compress on the lower abdomen.

Douching affects the natural microflora of the internal genital organs, so the procedures should be carried out in a course, the duration of which does not exceed two weeks.

Infusions and decoctions for douching
Plants for preparing solutions that are used for douching:

  • calendula;
  • sage;
  • oak bark;
  • linden;
  • hog queen;
  • bergenia.
To prepare the infusion, you need to take two to three tablespoons of any of the above plants in dry form and pour two glasses ( 500 milliliters) boiling water. Place the vessel with steamed raw materials on low heat or in a water bath. Leave for twenty to thirty minutes and then cool to the required temperature. Combined infusions for douching have an effective anti-inflammatory effect. According to a similar recipe, decoctions based on medicinal preparations can be prepared.

Collection components #1:

  • knotweed ( knotweed) – fifty grams;
  • nettle ( leaves) – thirty grams;
  • oak bark - ten grams;
  • Potentilla root - ten grams.
Collection components #2:
  • black elderberry ( flowers) – two tablespoons;
  • chamomile ( flowers) – two tablespoons;
  • flax seeds - two tablespoons.
Collection components #3:
  • Chernobyl ( wormwood) – twenty grams;
  • Veronica Dubravnaya ( flowers and leaves) – twenty grams;
  • chamomile ( flowers) – twenty grams;
  • sweet clover – five grams.

Therapeutic tampons

In the treatment of salpingitis using traditional methods, medicinal tampons are widely used, which are a feminine hygienic tampon soaked in decoction or juice of a medicinal plant. The procedure is carried out in the evening. A medicated tampon is inserted into the vagina and left overnight. To prepare therapeutic tampons, you should use natural cotton tampons.

Tampons with incense decoction
Bergenia has an anti-inflammatory effect and promotes the resorption of adhesions. To prepare the infusion, take one hundred grams of dried bergenia root and grind it in a coffee grinder. Pour the raw material into two glasses ( 500 milliliters) boiling water, cover the container with a towel and leave to steep for six to eight hours. After this, strain the broth and soak the tampon. The course of treatment with bergenia should not exceed twenty days.

Aloe tampons
Aloe has a strong antimicrobial effect and is widely used in folk medicine to treat inflammation of the fallopian tubes.

Rules for using aloe:

  • use only the lowest leaves, the length of which does not exceed fifteen to eighteen centimeters;
  • aloe must be more than two years old;
  • To increase the concentration of nutrients, do not water the plant for several days before use.
After cutting off several aloe leaves, grind them into a paste and soak a tampon with the juice that has been released. To increase the effectiveness of this procedure, aloe juice can be combined with other beneficial ingredients.

Recipes for aloe-based tampon solutions:

  • With plantain. Bring one hundred milliliters of water to a boil, add one tablespoon of chopped plantain and simmer for two to three minutes. Strain the broth and add fifteen drops to it ( tablespoon) aloe juice;
  • With cabbage. Chop fresh cabbage leaf and squeeze. Mix a tablespoon of cabbage juice with the same amount of aloe juice;
  • With honey. Take one tablespoon of natural honey of liquid consistency and mix with a tablespoon of aloe juice.

Means for oral use

Medicines based on medicinal plants are used to reduce inflammation and improve immunity. To prepare medicines according to folk recipes, you should use fresh ingredients, and buy herbs only in pharmacies.

Herbal collection with absorbable effect
The herbs included in the collection promote the resorption of adhesive processes. Also, drinking the decoction helps restore the body’s hormonal levels and reduce pain.

Infusion components:

  • evasive peony ( Maryin root) – twenty grams ( one and a half tablespoons with top);
  • celandine ( nipplewort) – twenty grams;
  • calendula flowers ( marigold) – twenty grams;
  • common nettle - twenty grams;
  • field grass – ten grams ( level tablespoon);
  • sweet clover - ten grams.
Dry leaves and flowers need to be ground in a coffee grinder, poured into a one and a half liter thermos and filled with boiling water. Leave to infuse overnight and use in the morning instead of tea or coffee.

Anti-inflammatory agent
This folk remedy contains marshmallow root ( 50 grams) and rendered fat from lard or lard ( two tablespoons).
Pour dry marshmallow root with water in a glass or ceramic container and leave for twenty-four hours in a dark place. After this, place the container over low heat, bring to a boil and leave to simmer for several hours until the root becomes soft. Cool the plant and grind it in a meat grinder or blender. Combine lard and marshmallow pulp and simmer on the fire for two to three hours in a thick-walled container. Remove from heat, stir and place in a container with a lid that is convenient for storage in the refrigerator. You need to take three tablespoons at a time with meals.

Decoctions that eliminate inflammation
Recipes that reduce the inflammatory process during salpingitis:

  • With viburnum. Pour fifty grams ( three tablespoons with top) dried flowers with one liter of boiling water and leave for thirty minutes ( half an hour) in a water bath. Strain the broth, add natural linden honey to taste. You need to drink one hundred grams of the drink three times a day;
  • With birch bark. Place one liter of water on the fire in an enamel or glass container. After the water boils, add two tablespoons of crushed dry birch bark. After twenty minutes of slow boiling, remove from heat, strain, add a tablespoon of natural honey and five drops of iodine. You need to drink the decoction warmed before bed, half a glass;
  • With mother and stepmother. Combine two tablespoons of crushed sweet clover and centaury herbs. Add three tablespoons of coltsfoot flowers and pour a liter of boiling water. Place the container with the drink in a dark place for two to three hours to infuse. You need to take 80 milliliters of the decoction ( one third glass) five to six times a day.

Prevention of inflammation of the fallopian tubes

Prevention of salpingitis involves timely and correct treatment of genital infections. To do this, it is recommended to undergo preventive gynecological examinations with bacteriological analysis once a year. Identified infections should be completely cured. To prevent the infection from becoming chronic, you should complete the course of treatment, even if there are no visible symptoms of the disease.

Another important point is the treatment of the sexual partner. Because, even after successful treatment, the infection can reenter the genital tract.


It is also recommended to avoid casual sex and unprotected sex. A woman’s immune system should be maintained at a high level, since weak immunity provokes the development of infections. The entry point for bacteria is the injured mucous membrane of the genital tract, so it is advisable to avoid the use of intrauterine contraceptives.

One of the most common types of gynecological diseases is considered to be salpingitis, which is quite difficult to treat with conservative methods, and is also fraught with the development of infertility. Salpingitis is an inflammation of the fallopian tubes that begins to develop due to infection entering the cavity of the reproductive organs. First, the pathology is localized on the mucous surfaces of the uterine appendages, then progressive inflammation of the ovaries begins to spread further and affects the structures of the muscular layer in the fallopian tubes. In the absence of emergency drug therapy, adhesions form in the fallopian tubes, which leads to the formation of their obstruction and all the ensuing consequences.

In this review, we will consider in more detail what contributes to the formation of inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, the varieties of this disease, symptomatic signs and the basic principles of therapeutic control, as well as the likelihood of surgical intervention and methods of alternative treatment.

Causes of pathology

Often, infection occurs from the bottom up, that is, through the vaginal cavity. From there, infectious microorganisms move along the cervical canal into the cavity of the uterine organ, and finally, the final point of their movement is the uterine tubes, where the process of inflammation begins to progress.

It is also worth noting that inflammation of the fallopian tubes can begin through descending routes of infection, that is, through the sigmoid colon or appendix. Much less often, the formation of pathology occurs through the bloodstream from any progressive focus of an infectious disease developing in the female body.

There are a huge number of provoking factors contributing to the development of this pathology; the most common are infectious diseases transmitted through sexual intercourse of partners, in the form of:

  • chlamydia;
  • gonorrhea;
  • papillomavirus infection;
  • genital herpes;
  • trichomoniasis;

The progression of these diseases in a woman contributes to the development of inflammation of the urinary system and fallopian tubes. The insidious development of most of these diseases lies in the fact that they occur without the manifestation of any symptomatic signs, as a result of which women do not visit the gynecological office for a long period, and the pathology becomes chronic. The presence of bacterial microflora over a long period on the mucous surfaces of the genital organs helps to reduce the immune defense system and reduce the intensity of blood circulation in these organs. Against this background, at the slightest exposure to an additional provoking factor in the form of a cold, depression or stress, the inflammatory infection begins to move upward to damage the fallopian tubes.

Salpingitis due to venereal disease

After the penetration of infectious microorganisms into the mucous structure of the fallopian tubes, their intensive reproduction begins. As a result, the inner walls of the fallopian tubes become inflamed, which leads to impaired blood circulation. Then inflammatory processes penetrate all layers of the fallopian tubes, which increases their thickness and activates adhesive reactions, which leads to blockage of the passage in the tubes and the development of infertility. As a bacterial infection progresses, purulent accumulations may appear in the pipes. Often, inflammation of the fallopian tubes, which develops due to the negative impact of sexually transmitted diseases, has a bilateral course.


It is worth noting that when leading a promiscuous sex life and entering into intimacy with various sexual partners, the likelihood of the formation of an inflammatory process in the fallopian tubes increases several times. This is due to the fact that such a way of intimate life increases the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease, and possibly several of their varieties at once, which is referred to as a microbial association. All this leads to a decrease in immunity and destruction of the barrier that protects the mucous surfaces of the genital organs from the penetration of bacterial microorganisms.

Mechanical causes of salpingitis

The development of inflammation of the tubes can be facilitated by various mechanical damage to the mucous surfaces, which include:

  • injuries received during childbirth;
  • premature termination of pregnancy;
  • placement of an IUD, which can be perceived by the body as the penetration of a foreign body, against the background of which allergic reactions of an inflammatory nature can start, which also leads to a decrease in the local immune defense system;
  • carrying out intrauterine diagnostics: salpingoscopy or metrosalpingography.