Inflammation of the ovaries. Treatment and prevention.

The ovaries are paired pelvic organs located on both sides of the uterus. Their task is to produce female germ cells, and even secretion of hormones - progesterone, relaxin, estrogens, and androgens. Inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) can lead to impaired patency of the fallopian tubes and/or the formation of adhesions. This increases the risk of severe complications (cysts, ovarian abscess, ectopic pregnancy, infertility).

The network of medical centers Zdravo.Life offers high-quality gynecological services that are characterized by an individual approach to each patient. A team of experienced gynecologists with many years of experience and high qualifications guarantees professionalism and attentive attitude at all stages of examination and treatment. The clinic uses the most modern diagnostic methods to obtain an accurate diagnosis.

What is oophoritis and how does it affect health?

Oophoritis is one of the most common pathologies of the female reproductive organs. The peak incidence of oophoritis is observed in sexually active women aged 30 to 50 years. This disease most often occurs together with salpingitis, an inflammation of the epididymis caused by sexual infections or pathogenic microflora from the uterine cavity.

Definition and types of ovarian inflammation

There are acute, subacute, and chronic recurrent inflammation of the ovary or both of these paired organs at the same time. The clinical picture of acute oophoritis is characterized by persistent pain throughout the abdominal wall and its intensification during movement or palpation.

Subacute inflammatory process is an intermediate form between acute and chronic oophoritis. As a rule, it develops as a secondary inflammation. It has less pronounced symptoms for a long time - from several days to several weeks. Chronic oophoritis most often occurs as a result of insufficient therapeutic effect or in the manifestation of a latent form of oophoritis.

Acute and chronic oophoritis: what is the difference?

Acute and chronic ovarian inflammation have similar symptoms. However, the first form is manifested by a sudden onset and more intense symptoms. Women complain of a significant deterioration in health and severe pain. Chronic inflammation develops slowly and lasts for years, causing constant discomfort. As a result, fibrosis can develop in the fallopian tubes, which leads to impaired patency. A complication of chronic oophoritis is ectopic pregnancy, as well as an increased risk of infertility.

Main causes and risk factors

There are different causes of ovarian inflammation. It can be the result of infection, endocrine diseases, unhealthy lifestyle, strict diets, fatigue, and stressful situations that significantly reduce the protective properties of the immune system.

Infectious pathogens

Where does bacterial inflammation of the ovaries come from: causes and ways of pathogenic pathogens entering the appendages? Among the microbes that can cause the disease, the most commonly mentioned are:

  • gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae);
  • Chlamydia trachomats;
  • anaerobic microorganisms;
  • parasitic bacteria (Mycoplasma genitalum);
  • vaginal bacteria (Gardnerella vaginalis);
  • Streptococcus pyogenes;
  • Escherichia coli (Escherichia coli).

The infection that leads to oophoritis reaches the ovaries and fallopian tubes in different ways.

1. The ascending route. Bacteria enter these parts of the reproductive system through the vagina, and then the cervix and uterine cavity. The danger exists, especially in the case of bacterial vaginosis, as well as when the cervix is open during menstrual bleeding or during childbirth. Gynecological procedures (e.g., intrauterine device insertion, therapeutic curettage of the endometrium for cleaning) also contribute to the growth of harmful bacteria.

2. The downward path. Pathogens enter the ovaries and fallopian tubes through the blood or circulating lymph in the lymphatic system. This is possible, for example, in case of appendicitis or any surgical procedure on a neighboring organ that led to postoperative infection.

The causative agents of various infectious diseases can also reach the ovaries through the blood vessels and cause inflammatory processes in them. Hematogenous oophoritis is often observed in tuberculosis (the causative agent is Tubercle bacilli). Sometimes, infectious diseases such as influenza, mumps, and scarlet fever also cause ovarian inflammation through the bloodstream.

Other risk factors (stress, lifestyle)

There are a number of other factors that weaken the action of local immune cells and significantly increase the risk of developing an infection:

  • sexual intercourse during menstruation
  • frequent change of sexual partners;
  • unprotected sexual intercourse (without a condom);
  • childbirth and the postpartum period;
  • hormonal disorders;
  • curettage of the uterine cavity (abortion, diagnostic cleaning);
  • use of an IUD (intrauterine device) as contraception;
  • insufficient intimate hygiene of the external genitalia;
  • frequent vaginal irrigation (douching);
  • unhealthy or unbalanced diet;
  • deficiency of vitamins, minerals and trace elements;
  • bad habits (alcohol abuse, smoking).

Ovarian inflammation also occurs in postmenopausal women (after menopause). Women have atrophic changes in the vaginal epithelium. Defects in the mucous membrane make it easier for pathogens to access the pelvic reproductive organs.

Symptoms and diagnosis

If oophoritis is suspected, a woman's symptoms (after a gynecological examination by a doctor) provide enough information. Nevertheless, blood and urine tests, vaginal and cervical smears, and ultrasound diagnostics are still required to detect microorganisms.

How to recognize the symptoms of oophoritis?

To recognize the symptoms of ovarian inflammation, you should pay attention to the following signs

  • itching and irritation of the genitals;
  • abnormal vaginal discharge;
  • menstrual irregularities;
  • heavy and/or prolonged periods;
  • vaginal bleeding that is not associated with menstruation;
  • cramps and dull pains localized in the lower abdomen, with possible irradiation to the femoral groin and lumbar region;
  • Fever (38.5-39 °C), sometimes also fever;
  • painful urination;
  • constipation, diarrhea, intestinal colic;
  • vomiting reflexes when pressure is applied to the lower abdomen;
  • dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse).

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should immediately consult a gynecologist. The doctor will conduct an initial gynecological examination, establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe therapy. Lack of timely treatment leads to the development of a chronic form of the disease. With chronic oophoritis, the symptoms are not as severe, but they do not go away. Lower abdominal pain and concomitant subfebrile conditions are characteristic here. Subfebrile temperature (37-37.5 °C) is a sign of a slow inflammatory process.

Sometimes it may be necessary to consult such specialists as a surgeon or urologist. The fact is that some of the above signs of ovarian inflammation may not be associated with a disease of these female reproductive organs at all.

Modern diagnostic methods (ultrasound, laboratory tests)

Due to the non-specificity of the symptoms, the diagnosis of oophoritis can be extremely difficult. However, inflammation will be visible with the following examination methods:

  • General blood and urine tests - allow you to determine whether there is an inflammatory process in the body. Their results can also exclude other causes of increased CRP (C-reactive protein) concentration, which occurs in bladder infections.
  • Bacteriological culture of vaginal discharge, cervical and urethral smears help to identify the type of pathogen that caused the disease in the patient.
  • Ultrasound examination makes it possible to obtain an image of the internal reproductive organs and determine whether there are any pathological changes. The doctor uses a probe inserted through the vagina to perform a pelvic ultrasound, carefully examining the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Among the invasive methods, culdocentesis is often used - a puncture of the posterior vaginal vault with subsequent bacteriological examination. If most diagnostic procedures fail, diagnostic laparoscopy is performed.

Опубліковано: 16.12.2024 1396

Магденко Лариса Василівна

Obstetrician-gynecologist (mammologist) of the highest category, with over 35 years of experience. She provides consultations on hormonal dysfunction, treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs. Larysa Vasylivna is proficient in minor gynecological operations. She successfully treats cervical erosion using the radio wave method. She has extensive experience in managing pregnant women.

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