Adnexitis refers to the combined clinical picture of ovarian inflammation and fallopian tube inflammation. The disease is caused by bacteria. Find out what symptoms to look out for here.
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What is adnexitis?
Fallopian tubes lead from the left and right side of the uterus to the ovaries. They are part of the internal female sex organs. If both the fallopian tubes and ovaries become inflamed, doctors speak of adnexitis, i.e. a combined inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The inflammation is usually caused by bacteria such as chlamydia and gonococci. Incidentally, gonococci also trigger gonorrhea . The STD is also known as gonorrhea. Both gonococci and chlamydia are sexually transmitted, so it is not surprising that ovarian and fallopian tube infections primarily affect sexually active women. The best means of prevention are condoms.
Acute adnexitis is often very painful, with abdominal pain, fever, heavy purulent discharge, nausea and a severe feeling of illness. But the inflammation of the internal sex organs can also occur without symptoms. There is then a risk that the inflammation will become chronic. In severe cases, abscesses can form in the fallopian tubes and ovaries, and severe inflammation can sometimes lead to infertility.
Acute adnexitis can be treated well with antibiotics. It is therefore important to consult a gynecologist when symptoms first appear. We explain in detail here which signs you should look out for.
4 symptoms indicate adnexitis
1. Fever and hard, tense abdominal wall
As is usual with severe inflammation in the body , adnexitis also causes fever, usually suddenly and together with other symptoms such as lower abdominal pain. If there are foci of inflammation in the body that are triggered by bacteria or viruses, the immune system reacts by raising the temperature. This is to kill the disease triggers. Generally, one speaks of fever from a body temperature of over 38° Celsius. Many people affected by adnexitis also have a tense, hard abdominal wall. The severe inflammation in the lower abdomen leads to fluid accumulation in the tissue and swelling that causes the abdominal wall to become tense.
2. Severe abdominal pain and purulent and/or bloody discharge
Acute adnexitis is often noticeable by sudden, severe pain in the lower abdomen. Infection of the fallopian tubes and ovaries with chlamydia or gonococci can also cause purulent discharge. In particularly severe cases, unusual bleeding can also occur. If you notice purulent and/or bloody discharge, you should consult a doctor; with sudden, severe and persistent pain in the lower abdomen anyway.
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3. Back pain, painful intercourse and fatigue
While acute adnixitis makes itself felt through clear symptoms, chronic ovarian and fallopian tube inflammation can be less noticeable. Chlamydia infections in particular do not cause any significant symptoms in about eight out of ten women. If chronic adnixitis then occurs, symptoms such as unusual back pain in the lower back or pelvic floor pain after exertion or when sitting down can occur. Unusual pain during and after intercourse can also be a sign of chronic inflammation of the internal genitals. If your body is struggling with chronic inflammation, this is accompanied by constant tiredness and depressive mood tendencies.
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4. Nausea and vomiting
Fallopian tube and ovarian inflammation spread either ascending or descending. If bacteria enter the vagina during sexual intercourse, for example, they can spread upwards to the internal genitals. The infection is descending when bacteria from neighboring organs such as the appendix migrate to the internal genital organs. Such inflammatory pathways often hit the stomach as well. There is nausea and vomiting.
