When a woman accumulates fluid in the open space, this does not always mean that something extraordinary is happening in her body. This may well be a normal phenomenon associated with the cyclical processes occurring in the body of a woman. But, unfortunately, often this symptom indicates a disease.
Under normal conditions, there may be some fluid in the pelvis behind the uterus. It is also quite natural when, after ovulation, there is free fluid behind the uterus, which is collected there in much larger quantities than on ordinary days. This is one of the main indicators that ovulation has completed. When a dominant (larger) follicle bursts in the ovary during ovulation, its contents can enter the pelvic area and accumulate behind the uterus. After some time, it is resorbed (resolves) and soon is not determined by ultrasound.
During menstruation, fluid may also appear in the adjacent space (the so-called blood drop into the abdominal cavity). This does not threaten a woman. It’s just that the endometrium can accidentally move along with the menstrual blood into the peritoneum during menstruation.
In addition to these completely natural and inevitable cyclical moments in a woman’s life, such as menstruation and ovulation, fluid in the adjacent space can also accumulate in case of diseases. If there is an inflammatory process in the female genital organs, this can undoubtedly lead to the appearance of inflammatory exudate behind the uterus. In acute endometritis, especially in the post-abortion period, free fluid may also collect in the pelvis.
Ultrasound scans can also detect this fluid with the development of ovarian apoplexy, peritonitis, ascites, purulent salpingitis, hemoperitoneum, the occurrence of pelvic peritonitis, endometriosis and other diseases.
So, when endometriotic cysts form, abdominal pains become stronger, the peritoneum is irritated. As a result of this, cysts are microperforated and their contents may spill into the abdominal cavity, which leads to the appearance of free fluid behind the uterus.
Fluid accumulates in the adjacent space and with heavy bleeding in the abdominal cavity.
With purulent salpingitis, breakthrough of accumulated pus from the pyosalpinx into the peritoneum is possible. In this case, diffuse peritonitis develops, which requires urgent surgical intervention. Fortunately, it is quite rare for pus to leave the fallopian tube in the uterus or the pelvic area.
An ultrasound scan can also show the presence of pelvioperitonitis in the abdominal cavity, in which peritoneal fluid can also flow into the posterior space. Its amount can vary from extremely small to very large.
If free fluid is collected in the pelvic cavity, this may be evidence of a latent course of cancer, for example, an ovarian tumor. Often the development of a cancerous tumor is accompanied by ascites - an accumulation of transudate (fluid) in the abdominal cavity.
If an ultrasound in a woman of childbearing age revealed free fluid in the pelvis and outside the uterus, a fetal egg surrounded by blood clots, the doctor may diagnose an ectopic pregnancy.
The accumulation of fluid can lead to diseases of other organs located in the abdominal cavity, for example, the liver.
Typically, a woman learns that she has fluid in the adjacent space during an ultrasound scan. If the disease is hidden, this is such a valuable diagnostic method that will be the first to indicate an existing health problem and help the doctor make the correct diagnosis for the disease of the female genital organs.
If you have found an ultrasound fluid in the adjacent space, and there is no other evidence of ultrasound about the presence of other signs of the disease, you can breathe freely. You are most likely healthy.