Inflammatory diseases of the female organs of non-specific etiology today occupy about 65% of all gynecological problems. This may be due to a variety of factors that contribute to the penetration of microbes into the genitals.
Therefore, I would like to draw attention and consider in more detail such issues as inflammatory diseases of the female organs, treatment and prevention of their appearance, classification and features of each species.
Causes of the "female" inflammatory diseases
As mentioned above, both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs are associated with the penetration of microbes into the genitals. This can happen during sex with sperm or lubrication, as well as directly from the body of the woman herself (for example, from the intestine).
Factors such as the use of intravaginal swabs, as well as various intrauterine interventions, contribute a lot to this process.
What is accompanied by inflammatory diseases of female organs? Symptoms can be varied. Therefore, we will return to this topic when considering each of them separately.
Inflammatory diseases of the female organs: classification
There are several classifications of female diseases. They are separated on the basis of different indicators: the course of the process, the type of pathogen, the spread of infection, and so on.
Based on the nature of the course, there are acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs. The former are distinguished by severe symptoms, while the symptoms of the second type may not be so noticeable.
Depending on the pathogen, female diseases are usually divided into two groups:
- Specific inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs. Their occurrence is caused by pathogenic flora, which is usually transmitted through sexual contact. The most famous specific inflammatory diseases of the female organs: gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, HIV, tuberculosis, papillomavirus and herpetic infections. As we see, in most cases sexually transmitted diseases belong to this group.
- Nonspecific inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs. This group of diseases is caused by endogenous flora, which is present in every organism. Normally, it is in an inactive state, and when activated, it causes inflammatory processes (we are talking about staphylococci, E. coli, streptococci, etc.).
The main non-specific inflammatory diseases of the female organs: vulvitis, colpitis, cervicitis, endometritis (acute and chronic forms), salpingo-oophoritis, pelvioritonitis. Let us consider in more detail each of them.
Vulvit
We begin to consider inflammatory diseases of female organs with a disease such as vulvitis. The following factors can provoke its appearance:
- ignoring the rules of intimate hygiene;
- helminthiasis;
- the presence of cystitis or endocrine diseases;
- the presence of thermal, mechanical and chemical influences;
- improper, uncontrolled use of medications (antibiotics).
There is also a secondary form of vulvitis. It appears due to the effect on the genitals of a large number of secretions with thrush, endocervicitis, trichomoniasis, endometritis.
During the acute form, the following are usually observed:
- itching
- burning and pain in the external genital area;
- which become stronger when urinating and walking;
- copious discharge;
- temperature rise;
- weakness in the body.
In addition, swelling, hyperemia, as well as purulent plaque and bleeding ulcerations on the mucous membrane of the vulva appear. In some cases, an increase in inguinal nodes may be observed.
The chronic form is characterized by less severe symptoms until the onset of an exacerbation of the disease.
Colpit
The next problem, which belongs to the group of "inflammatory diseases of the female organs", is colpitis. This is inflammation of the vaginal mucosa. The main cause of its occurrence is an infection caused by pathogens (gonococci, trichomonads, genital herpes viruses, candida fungi, cytomegalovirus, intestinal flora, etc.). This can be facilitated by both general (menstrual irregularities, metabolic problems, infectious diseases), and local factors (gaping of the genital gap, ignoring the rules of intimate hygiene, loss or omission of the walls of the uterus or vagina, etc.).
As mentioned above, there are acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the female organs. Colpitis in this regard deserves special attention.
The acute form of the inflammatory process is accompanied by the appearance of leucorrhoea, a feeling of heaviness and discomfort in the vagina and lower abdomen, itching and burning. In addition, the appearance of painful sensations, intensifying during urination, can be observed. With a severe form of acute colpitis, the temperature may increase, general health may worsen.
During the acute stage of the disease, swelling of the vaginal walls and hyperemia are observed. In addition, colpitis is accompanied by the appearance of pinpoint hemorrhages and reddish nodules (infiltrates, which have no epithelial cover) on the mucous membrane.
In the chronic form of the disease, the main visible symptom is a change in the nature of the discharge to purulent or serous.
Endometritis
The disease is an inflammatory process on the muscle and mucous membranes of the uterus. It is accompanied by edema of the mucous membrane, the appearance of purulent plaque on it, and later - necrosis and rejection of the functional layer.
Factors contributing to the development of endometritis are:
- abortion;
- curettage of the uterus;
- use of intrauterine contraceptives;
- recent birth.
The disease is accompanied by fever, malaise, the appearance of purulent-bloody or serous-purulent discharge, as well as pain in the lower abdomen.
The acute form lasts from 4 to 10 days and, if properly selected treatment is left without consequences, the epithelial layer is quickly restored.
The chronic form of endometritis is very rare. It develops as a result of the lack of necessary therapy for the treatment of the acute form or after repeated intrauterine interventions. Even less often, the cause of chronic endometritis is the presence of suture in the uterus after cesarean section, parts of the fetus during late abortion, and so on.
The main symptoms of the disease are:
- aching pains;
- the appearance of leucorrhoea and bleeding from the vagina;
- hardening and enlargement of the uterus.
After suffering chronic endometritis, violations in the functionality of the ovaries are often observed, which leads to spontaneous miscarriages and infertility.
Cervicitis
Cervicitis is an inflammatory process in the cervical canal. The reason for this is the same bacteria that cause other inflammatory diseases of the female organs: streptococci, staphylococci, trichomonads, chlamydia, gonococci, intestinal flora.
And the unknown size or omission of the cervix, improper use of contraceptives - these are the factors that contribute to the penetration of pathogens into the body. In addition, inflammatory processes in other parts of the reproductive system and extragenital diseases can provoke the appearance of cervicitis.
The acute stage of the inflammatory process is characterized by a change in vaginal discharge, which becomes mucous or purulent. In addition, some cases of the manifestation of the disease are accompanied by dull pain in the lower abdomen.
The chronic form of cervicitis can be detected with the appearance of turbid-mucous discharge from the vagina.
Salpingoophoritis
Inflammation of the uterus is called salpingoophoritis.
Depending on the method and route of infection, the disease can be primary and secondary. In the first case, the causative agent of inflammation can enter the appendages from the lower genital organs, when using intrauterine contraceptives, sexually, as well as during therapeutic or diagnostic procedures (blowing tubes, curettage of the uterus, etc.).
With secondary salpingo-oophoritis, the infection can be transmitted metastatically (during pneumonia, tonsillitis, flu) or from the internal organs that are next to the uterus (rectum and sigmoid colon, appendix).
The acute form of inflammation is accompanied by constant, quite severe pain in the lower abdomen. They can also extend to the rectum and lower back. In addition, the following are usually observed:
- nausea (sometimes with a single vomiting);
- bloating;
- general weakness;
- chills;
- dry mouth
- increased heart rate and fever.
The abdomen becomes painful on palpation, in particular its lower part, and the muscles of the abdominal wall can be tense.
Chronic salpingo-oophoritis usually manifests as a result of incomplete recovery after an acute form of the disease. Moreover, at the first stages of its development, any special symptoms may be absent. Only after a while do aching pains appear in the lower abdomen. They can spread to the vagina, inguinal folds and the sacral region. They tend to intensify during menstruation, as well as during cooling or the presence of extragenital diseases.
Chronic salpingoophoritis can lead to infertility, menstrual and sexual dysfunction, ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. In addition, it can provoke dysfunction of the urinary, hepatobiliary and digestive systems.
The course of the disease is usually characterized by the presence of frequent exacerbations, which are accompanied by pain, mood swings, decreased ability to work, endocrine and vascular disorders, as well as a deterioration in overall health.
Pelvioperitonitis
There are inflammatory diseases of the female organs that affect not only the vagina, uterus or appendages, but also the entire peritoneum of the pelvis. One of them is pelvioperitonitis. It can be either diffuse or partial.
The causative agents of pelvioperitonitis are the same microorganisms that cause other non-specific female diseases, so we will not repeat again with their listing. The ailment mentioned can also be acute and chronic.
Pelvioperitonitis develops as a secondary disease when infection penetrates the uterus, appendages, ovaries, appendix and other organs of the abdominal cavity.
In the acute form, pronounced symptoms are observed in the form of:
- sudden deterioration;
- tachycardia;
- severe pain in the lower abdomen.
The latter are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, chills, bloating, dry mouth and muscle tension in the abdominal cavity.
During the chronic stage of the disease, the formation of adhesions occurs, which can affect the correct position of the uterus and its appendages.
Treatment of inflammatory diseases of the female organs
It is immediately worth noting that when non-specific inflammatory diseases of the female organs appear, it is strictly forbidden to self-medicate! Only an experienced gynecologist can make a correct diagnosis after conducting an examination and obtaining test results. He will also prescribe the necessary medications that will help to quickly get rid of the problem.
Therapy may vary depending on the type of disease. As a rule, it involves the use of antibiotics in order to prevent the progression of the inflammatory process. In the presence of irritation on the external genitalia, baths with therapeutic antiseptic and soothing herbs, as well as special intimate ointments and creams can be prescribed.
In addition, in some cases, surgical intervention and special pharmaceutical preparations may be required. You should not go deep into the study of this topic, since only a doctor can select the necessary treatment based on the nature of the course and symptoms of the disease.
Prevention of inflammatory diseases
We examined what there are inflammatory diseases of the female organs, the symptoms of each of them and possible methods of treatment. But are there ways to avoid them? How to protect yourself from such a problem as inflammatory diseases of the female organs? Prevention includes some simple tips. At the same time, it is important that you follow each of the rules below.
It is worth starting with the fact that to instill methods for preventing the occurrence of female inflammatory diseases is necessary for all girls from childhood. First of all, this is the observance of intimate hygiene. Older girls need to be familiarized with the possible consequences of promiscuous sexual relationships and frequent changes in sexual partners.
It is necessary to monitor the general state of health, to treat other infectious and inflammatory diseases (tonsillitis, appendicitis, cholecystitis and others) on time.
A regular visit to a gynecologist is required, which, according to the results of the examination and a smear taken, can detect a problem even before the appearance of visible symptoms. In this way, it will be possible to defeat the disease at the stage of its inception.
An important role is played by immunity. Therefore, it is worth strengthening it in all possible ways, starting with taking vitamins and ending, for example, with hardening.
Another important point concerns those who could not protect themselves from the inflammatory process. Thanks to the special mechanism of female immunity and timely proper treatment, the acute symptoms of the disease quickly subside, the pain syndrome disappears and overall health improves. But this does not mean at all that the woman has recovered! Therefore, it is very important to undergo the full course of prescribed treatment and rehabilitation therapy - the only way to avoid repeated exacerbations and the transition of the disease to a chronic form, which has already more serious consequences.
As you can see, there is nothing complicated in prevention methods, therefore, adhering to these simple rules will not be difficult.
Be healthy!