Today, many women are diagnosed with oophoritis. What it is? What are the causes of this disease? How dangerous can a disease be? Are there effective treatments? What to fear? The answers to these questions will be useful and interesting to every representative of the fair sex.
Oophorit: what is it?
Oophoritis is an inflammatory ovarian disease. In fact, this disease is often diagnosed in young women of reproductive age. It is worth noting that the inflammatory process can be localized in both one and two ovaries at once. It is accompanied by oophoritis with pain, discomfort and impaired reproductive system function.
In the absence of timely and proper treatment, the inflammatory process takes on a chronic form. By the way, quite often the disease affects the fallopian tubes (acute or chronic salpingitis and oophoritis).
The main causes of the disease
The cause of ovarian inflammation in most cases is a bacterial infection. Moreover, in modern medicine, specific and nonspecific oophoritis is isolated. The causes of specific inflammation are pathogens of various sexually transmitted diseases. For example, inflammation of the appendages can develop against the background of chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, tuberculosis, mycoplasmosis, etc.
Non-specific inflammation is associated with the activation of opportunistic microflora. Against the background of a decrease in immune defense, the inflammatory process can be caused by the rapid multiplication of staphylococci, E. coli, streptococci, and even Candida species.
Are there any risk factors?
Of course, some women are more susceptible to this disease. Why? First of all, patients leading an erratic sex life belong to the risk group, since the frequent change of partners and the rejection of appropriate protection increases the likelihood of developing sexually transmitted diseases.
As for non-specific inflammatory processes, there are risk factors here. In most cases, the activation of opportunistic bacteria occurs against the background of a local or systemic decrease in the level of immune defense. Therefore, women with various chronic inflammatory diseases are more prone to such a disease.
Hormonal imbalance also negatively affects the state of the immune system. Therefore, risk factors include diseases of the endocrine system, uncontrolled intake of hormonal contraceptives, as well as artificial termination of pregnancy.
The disease can be the result of inflammation of the genitourinary system. Right-sided oophoritis often develops against the background of infection of the intestine, in particular, the blind process (appendix).
On the other hand, the state of the immune system is affected by poor nutrition, constant stress, emotional and mental strain, as well as hypothermia. The negative effect of smoking is also proved, since substances that enter the body along with cigarette smoke change the chemical composition of the mucous plug of the cervical canal, thereby reducing the resistance of the reproductive system.
What are the symptoms of acute inflammation?
Acute oophoritis is accompanied by severe symptoms. There is a sharp increase in body temperature. Along with fever, other signs of intoxication appear - general malaise, weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, chills, body aches.
A very characteristic symptom is a strong, sharp pain in the lower abdomen, which often gives to the lower back or sacrum. Soreness can be very intense. The symptoms can also include frequent urination, accompanied by cutting pain in the urethra. Naturally, sexual intercourse is also accompanied by severe discomfort.
In addition, with oophoritis, abundant serous or purulent discharge from the vagina may appear. Some women also complain of mild bleeding that has nothing to do with menstruation.
Sometimes the infection passes to the digestive system - in such cases, violations of the intestines are possible.
In any case, the acute form of the disease requires urgent hospitalization. Treatment is usually carried out in a hospital setting.
Subacute form of the disease and its features
Subacute oophoritis is a rare phenomenon. In most cases, the cause of this form of the disease is the causative agent of tuberculosis or mycotic infection.
The clinical picture with this type of disease resembles acute oophoritis. But the symptoms, as a rule, are not so pronounced.
Left- and right-sided inflammation: features of the clinical picture
As already mentioned, inflammation can affect both one and both ovaries. Depending on the location of the inflammatory process, left-sided oophoritis, right-sided and bilateral inflammation are distinguished. The overall clinical picture looks approximately the same, but some differences still exist.
For example, right-sided oophoritis is accompanied by sharp pains on the right side, which resembles the clinical picture with appendicitis. Therefore, in the process of differential diagnosis, the doctor must exclude the possibility of inflammation of the appendix.
In turn, left-sided oophoritis is accompanied by pain on the left side. But quite often the infection from the affected ovary quickly spreads to the tissues of the fallopian tube, and from there to the other ovary. The inflammation of two appendages at once is a bilateral oophoritis. Pain with this form of the disease is localized in the lower abdomen, lower back and often gives to the sacrum.
Chronic oophoritis: what is it?
The chronic form of the disease, as a rule, develops in the absence of proper treatment. It is characterized by periodic exacerbations, which are replaced by periods of relative well-being of the body.
In the acute phase, women usually complain of aching and dull pain in the lower abdomen. Soreness can spread to the inguinal region and vagina and increase with hypothermia. In addition, oophoritis is chronic bilateral (most often inflammation covers two ovaries at once) is accompanied by a violation of the normal menstrual cycle. A decrease in sexual desire is also observed.
Moreover, the constant, albeit mild, discomfort affects the patient's psycho-emotional state. Women tend to suffer from increased fatigue and sleep problems. Against the background of a chronic disease, mental and physical performance also decreases, causeless irritability appears.
Are complications possible?
There are many complications to which - in the absence of proper and timely treatment - oophoritis leads. What it is? What are the consequences of the disease? First of all, it is worth noting that inflammation of the appendages quite often affects the work of the reproductive system.
As already mentioned, chronic salpingitis and oophoritis often lead to the formation of adhesions in the fallopian tubes. In turn, impaired patency affects the menstrual cycle and often causes infertility. The effects of inflammation can also include menstrual irregularities, including heavy bleeding, the appearance of uncharacteristic discharge, soreness during menstruation. Other disorders are possible, including anorgasmia, decreased libido, and a disturbance in the normal synthesis of hormones in the ovaries. The likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy is also increased.
In addition, ovarian ovary can affect the functioning of other organ systems. In particular, the infection can easily pass to the organs of the genitourinary system, which leads to the development of cystitis, pyelonephritis, etc. The development of infectious diseases of the intestine is not excluded. On the other hand, inflammation of the uterine appendages is reflected on the hormonal background, which, in turn, leads to malfunctions of the nervous and endocrine systems.
Chronic oophoritis can also provoke the formation of a purulent tumor of the uterine appendages. Such a complication often leads to the complete removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries and, accordingly, infertility.
Modern diagnostic methods
This disease has a similar picture with different diseases. That is why a thorough diagnosis in this case is extremely important. First of all, a gynecological examination is performed, during which the doctor can determine the increase in the ovaries, the violation of their mobility, as well as soreness. In addition, the gynecologist collects a complete medical history, including information on symptoms, previous infections and inflammatory diseases, abortions, etc.
Standard tests also include urine and blood tests, as well as a smear from the urethra and vagina. With inflammation, an increased number of white blood cells can be noticed. Examination of samples taken from the vagina helps determine the type of infection. In some cases, PCR diagnostics are additionally performed.
Oophoritis of the ovary can also be determined during ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs. If chronic inflammation is suspected, patients are prescribed hysterosalpingoscopy. However, the most informative diagnostic method is laparoscopy, in which the doctor has the opportunity to carefully examine the fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus. A similar examination is prescribed in controversial cases, as well as in the absence of the effect of treatment or prolonged, chronic inflammation.
Drug treatment of salpingo-oophoritis
It is immediately worth noting that only the doctor knows how to treat oophoritis. The question of hospitalization of the patient is decided on an individual basis - acute inflammation is best treated in a hospital setting. The patient is shown strict bed rest and good nutrition.
In the first few days, ice is applied to the lower abdomen. Antibacterial therapy is mandatory - antibiotics are also selected individually, depending on the nature of the pathogen and its sensitivity to certain drugs. For pain relief, painkillers and sometimes sleeping pills are used. Taking multivitamin complexes and immunomodulators helps to increase the body's resistance, which accelerates the healing process.
Other treatments
Of course, various physiotherapy procedures are used to treat oophoritis, especially when it comes to its chronic form. In particular, therapy may include electrophoresis with amidopyrine, salicylic acid, and other drugs. UHF and magnetotherapy, UV irradiation, inductotherapy, treatment with pulsed currents of low frequency are also widely used.
If an accumulation of pus or exudate is observed in the pelvic area, a puncture is performed during which the doctor removes the fluid. To consolidate the result, patients are recommended sanatorium-resort treatment, in particular, therapy using medicinal mud, mineral water, etc.
Are there effective prevention methods?
Preventive measures include timely diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. Women are recommended to undergo a routine gynecological examination and take tests at least once every six months. Naturally, you should avoid random sexual intercourse.
Also, one should not forget about the state of the immune system. Proper nutrition, hardening, the absence of bad habits, regular physical activity - all this will positively affect the condition of the whole organism. For any infectious or inflammatory diseases, the patient should undergo appropriate therapy.
Women who have already suffered some kind of inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs are recommended spa treatment.
Alternative methods of treatment
Of course, alternative medicine offers a lot of drugs that can cope with inflammation. In particular, decoctions of sage, chamomile, linden and oak are widely used for douching. To prepare a home remedy, you need to mix two parts of linden flowers and three parts of chamomile flowers. Pour six tablespoons of the resulting mixture of herbs with a liter of water and bring to a boil over low heat. After the broth has cooled, strain the liquid. You can use the medicine for douching, as well as for warm baths. The procedure is repeated daily for two weeks.
However, in no case should you give up conservative treatment. Medicinal herbs can only be used as an adjuvant. Acute oophoritis is an extremely dangerous disease, so you should not risk your health.