Inflammation of the pelvic organs - causes, symptoms, treatment, complications

Symptoms of pelvic inflammation in women

In most cases, pelvic inflammatory disease does not cause any symptoms. Asymptomatic pelvic inflammation is normal when the infection was caused by chlamydia.

In other cases, the most common symptoms are:

• pain in the lower abdomen and pelvic area;
• copious vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor;
• irregular menstrual bleeding;
• pain felt during sexual intercourse;
• lower back pain;
• fever, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting;
• pain felt when urinating;
• problems with urination.

CLASSIFICATION OF INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES BY CAUSE AND LOCALIZATION:

Most modern inflammatory processes in women are associated with genital infection in combination with opportunistic microflora. Today, all sick women must be examined using STIs and PCR in order to accurately diagnose the infection that caused the inflammatory process. Each infection has its own spectrum of sensitivity to antibiotics.

Only laboratory diagnostic methods will help you identify the true cause of inflammation, and therefore prescribe etiologically correct treatment. The laboratory diagnostic method is prescribed by the doctor. Today there are many methods with high reliability, for example, PCR - a microbiological blood test that allows you to identify pathogens (viruses, mycoplasmas, chlamydia) that were not identified using the microbiological diagnostic method.

Inflammation of the pelvic organs - causes

There are quite a few causes of inflammation “female-style”:

• Unprotected sexual intercourse
  . Increases the risk of developing sexually transmitted diseases and, consequently, the development of pelvic inflammatory diseases.
• Some methods of contraception.
  May influence the likelihood of developing pelvic inflammatory disease. An intrauterine device can increase the risk of getting the disease, while using condoms reduces the risk. Using birth control pills without other forms of protection does not guarantee any protection against sexually transmitted diseases, but they do increase protection against the development of pelvic inflammatory disease by thickening the cervical mucus and thereby preventing bacteria from entering the upper genital tract.
• Gynecological manipulations.
  Bacteria can also enter the genital tract during an IUD procedure, childbirth, miscarriage, abortion, or a biopsy of the lining of the uterus, which involves removing a small piece of tissue lining the uterus for laboratory analysis.

Prevention

It is easier to prevent pelvic diseases than to treat pathological processes and their consequences.

You can protect the female pelvic organs from the inflammatory process by following certain rules:

• Compliance with intimate hygiene standards;
• Elimination of hypothermia;
• Minimization of intrauterine manipulations;
• Use of barrier methods of contraception (condom);
• Regular examination of both the woman by a gynecologist and the sexual partner by a urologist-andrologist.
• When the first symptoms of the disease appear, seek medical help early.

Small pelvis - risk factors

Factors that increase the risk of developing pelvic inflammatory diseases:

• unprotected sexual intercourse;
• women under 25 years of age have an active sexual life;
• sexual relations with many partners;
• procedure for inserting an intrauterine device;
• Regular vaginal douching, which disrupts the balance between “good” and “bad” bacteria in the vagina, can also mask obvious signs of infection;
• a problem with pelvic inflammatory disease or a sexually transmitted disease in the past.

Symptoms and causes, what to look for

A woman should always remember that her sexual health is extremely fragile, and it is necessary to carefully monitor all changes in the functioning of the reproductive system. As a rule, inflammation in the genital organs is caused by a negligent attitude towards one’s own health, but the reasons can also be:

• overuse of medications;
• hypothermia;
• abortions;
• illiterate pregnancy protection;
• unskilled surgical intervention;
• changing sexual norms.

Diagnosis of inflammation in women

Diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease is based on symptoms (if present) and through a pelvic examination, analysis of vaginal discharge and vaginal culture, or urinalysis.

During a pelvic exam, the gynecologist uses cotton swabs to take samples from the vagina and cervix. The samples are then sent to a laboratory, where the type of germs causing the infection is determined.

To confirm the diagnosis or determine the size of the inflammation, the gynecologist may also order other tests:

• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs – allows you to visualize the reproductive organs;
• biopsy of the uterine lining - during which the doctor removes a small piece of tissue lining the uterus;
• laparoscopy - through a small incision in the abdominal cavity, the doctor inserts a camera inside, allowing one to examine all the organs of the uterus.

Vaginitis

Vaginitis is an inflammatory process on the vaginal mucosa. Also distinguished are vulvovaginitis (inflammation of the vagina and external organs of the reproductive system), vulvitis - inflammation of the clitoris and labia. Vaginitis is a fairly common female disease.

Causes of vaginitis

The causes of this female inflammatory disease can be reduced immunity and treatment with antibiotic drugs, sexually transmitted diseases, gonorrhea, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis. Vaginitis can also be triggered by hormonal imbalances, ovarian diseases, excess weight, diabetes and menopause. In the latter case, inflammation occurs due to a decrease in the amount of estrogen. Sometimes, vaginitis can be caused by mechanical damage to the mucous membrane or by unsuccessful medical procedures. A prerequisite for the development of the disease is non-compliance with the rules of intimate hygiene.

Symptoms of vaginitis

At the first manifestations, unpleasant sensations occur in the vagina, copious discharge, accompanied by itching and swelling of the genitals. Sexual intercourse becomes painful. In the chronic form, there is also profuse discharge and itching.

Diagnosis and treatment of vaginitis

The specialist makes a diagnosis based on a survey of the patient, then takes a swab from the vagina. A general blood and urine test may also be needed.

When treating vaginitis, an important point for recovery is abstinence from sexual activity for the duration of treatment. Examination of the sexual partner is recommended.

For mucous and purulent discharge, douching with antiseptic agents is prescribed and strengthening treatment is used. After determining the sensitivity of the pathogen to antibiotics, a course of treatment is prescribed. If the treatment effect is insufficient, estrogen hormones are recommended.

Treatment of pelvic inflammation

It is necessary to consult a gynecologist when symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease appear:

• significant pain in the lower abdomen;
• vomit;
• signs of shock, including fainting;
• fever (body temperature above 38.3°C).

When observing the symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease, it is imperative to consult a doctor. A visit to the gynecologist's office is also indicated if the symptoms are not too severe but persist for a long time.

A foul odor, pain when urinating, or bleeding between menstrual cycles may be due to a sexually transmitted infection. If these symptoms appear, it is imperative to stop sexual activity and consult a doctor immediately. Timely initiation of proper treatment for sexually transmitted diseases will slow down the development of inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs.

The standard treatment for pelvic inflammatory diseases is antibiotic therapy. The gynecologist may decide to prescribe antibiotics before receiving laboratory test results. If necessary, antibacterial therapy will be modified after confirming the diagnosis and identifying the specific type of bacteria causing the disease.

The gynecologist may also prescribe painkillers and recommend bed rest. Sexual contact should be avoided until treatment is completed and complete recovery is confirmed.

III. Inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs of specific etiology.

Trichomoniasis is an infectious disease caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis is transmitted sexually. Most often, Trichomonas affects the vagina, less often - the urethra, bladder, excretory ducts of the large glands of the vestibule of the vagina, the vestibule itself, the mucous membrane of the cervical canal, and appendages. Trichomoniasis is characterized by multifocal lesions.

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by gonococci. The main route of infection with gonorrhea is sexual. Gonorrhea is characterized by predominant damage to the mucous membranes of the genitourinary organs. There are two ways of spreading gonorrhea: ascending - urethra, cervix, endometrium, tubes, peritoneum and hematogenous - penetration of gonococci into the bloodstream. Topographically, ascending gonorrhea, urinary gonorrhea, rectal gonorrhea, and metastatic gonorrhea are distinguished. According to the clinical course, fresh and chronic gonorrhea are distinguished. Fresh gonorrhea, in turn, is divided into acute, subacute and torpid. There are the following inflammatory processes of gonorrheal etiology: gonorrheal urethritis, gonorrheal bartholinitis, endocervicitis, gonorrheal proctitis, gonorrheal endometritis, salpingoophoritis, oophoritis, gonorrheal pelvioperitonitis, ascending gonorrhea. Gonorrheal infection is observed in 5-25% of patients, ranking second after trichomoniasis.

Candidiasis is a disease caused by yeast-like fungi. Fungi of the genus Candida are part of the normal microflora of a healthy person, but under certain conditions they can cause a disease - candidiasis. There are candidiasis of the vulva, vagina, uterus and uterine appendages.

Viral diseases of the genital organs are caused by two groups of viruses. Damage to the uterus, fallopian tubes and bladder is caused by the herpes virus, while damage to the cervix and urethra is caused by a urogenital virus. The causative agent of genital warts is a filterable virus.

Mycoplasmosis (ureaplasmosis ) is a disease caused by a group of microorganisms of the mycoplasma and ureaplasma family, which are part of the normal microflora, but under certain conditions exhibit pathogenic properties.

Chlamydia is a disease caused by chlamydia. Chlamydia etiology can include colpitis, cervicitis, erosion, urethritis, salpingitis, proctitis, etc.

Tuberculosis of the female genital organs. Tuberculosis is a common infectious disease, one of the local manifestations of which is damage to the genital organs. Tuberculosis of the genital organs is a secondary process, the primary source of which is the tuberculosis focus. According to the localization of the process, tuberculosis of the appendages, uterus, cervix, vagina, and vulva is distinguished. The course can be acute, subacute and chronic. Tuberculosis of the genital organs can occur in combination with pulmonary tuberculosis (up to 90%).

How to prevent it?

To reduce your risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease, you should follow these tips.

Practice safe sex - use condoms every time and limit the number of partners.

Get tested – If you have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection, make an appointment at the office and get the necessary tests done. If necessary, agree with your doctor on a regular screening schedule. Early detection and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases gives a much better chance of avoiding pelvic inflammatory disease.

Ask your partner to get tested – If you have pelvic inflammatory disease or other sexually transmitted diseases, ask your partner to get tested and possibly treated for them. Thus, you limit the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and also reduce the risk of relapse of pelvic inflammatory diseases.

Stop rinsing the vagina - rinsing disrupts the very delicate bacterial balance in the vaginal environment.

Important

And in conclusion: we live in a world populated by a huge number of microbes, viruses, fungi, however, nature has endowed humans with powerful protective mechanisms that allow him to live in balance with the environment. If this balance is temporarily disrupted, it is important to quickly help the body restore it. Therefore, preventive examinations by a gynecologist should be mandatory once every 6-12 months, even if it seems that there are no special health problems. This will allow timely detection of asymptomatic infections and avoid long-term inflammatory diseases. The diagnosis of “endometritis” is not a death sentence; in most cases, timely treatment leads to good results, which allows one to avoid complications of pregnancy and childbirth.

Characteristic signs of inflammation

• Pain of varying localization and intensity - from strong spasmodic pain with adnexitis, to slight nagging pain with chlamydia.
• The presence of pathological discharge from the genital organs - white curdled, leucorrhoea, yellow-green, mixed with blood outside of menstruation, with a strong fetid odor, etc.
• Itching, burning in the external genital area, intensifying with the outflow of urine.
• The temperature may rise, weakness, fatigue, headache, insomnia, irritability, etc. may appear.

Treatment methods. Modern methods

Modern treatment of gynecological inflammatory diseases is carried out on the basis of an integrated approach. For therapy, minor surgical manipulations can be used using plasma lifting techniques and video hysteroscopy, and patients are also prescribed medication. These and many other methods do not harm other organ systems and help cope with local diseases while maintaining overall health.

Modern methods do not involve abdominal surgery, and often doctors completely abandon surgical intervention, replacing it with balneotherapy and immunotherapy.

Physiotherapeutic procedures are also used using equipment that acts locally on the foci of inflammation, without damaging the structure of healthy tissues and without leaving scars on the skin.