Symptoms of adnexitis

Symptoms of adnexitis vary depending on the form of the disease, which can be acute, subacute, chronic, one- or two-sided.

Among diseases of the internal organs of the female sexual sphere, one of the most common pathologies is adnexitis - inflammation of the uterine appendages, that is, ovaries, fallopian (uterine) tubes and supporting ligaments.

The cause of adniscite is infection. These are various pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, including staphylococci and streptococci, peptococci, enterococci, Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma hominis, gardnerella, candida, pathogens, chlamydia, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, Escherichia coli, etc. Infection can be brought from the outside during sexual contact or abortion, and from the bloodstream or with lymph, it can get into the appendages of the uterus from any inflammatory focus in the body.

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Symptoms of acute adnexitis

The signal of the inflammatory process, which began in the appendages of the uterus, is the following symptoms of acute adnexitis:

• stitching pain in the lower abdomen (in the pelvic region);
• increase in body temperature (up to + 38-38.5 ° C and above);
• weakness, increased sweating, chills, fever;
• tachycardia and dizziness;
• muscle and / or headaches;
• back pain;
• serous or purulent discharge from the vagina;
• abnormal vaginal bleeding not associated with menstruation;
• disturbances of urination;
• an increase in the level of leukocytes in the blood and an increase in ESR.

The clinical picture of acute adnexitis is supplemented by constant pain over the entire abdominal wall and its amplification during movement or palpation; tension of the abdomen (as with an acute appendix or intestinal colic).

Symptoms of subacute adnexitis

Subacute inflammatory process is characterized by the manifestation of less pronounced symptoms for a longer time - from several days to several weeks.

Symptoms of subacute adnexitis from signs of acute adnexitis differ only in their intensity. That is, the pain in the lower abdomen is weakened, the body temperature is reduced, although the state of health remains stably unsatisfactory. There are attacks of weakness, headaches, pains of a trailing nature in the lumbar region and aching pain in the groin. Dull pain often gives into the sacrum and becomes more tangible in hypothermia or physical stress, during intimacy, before and during menstruation. The monthly ones become more intensive in terms of volume of excretions and pain syndrome. With subacute adnexitis noted the presence of discharge from the vagina and the cervical canal in the form of mucous or serous leucorrhoea.

As gynecologists note, against the background of weakened immunity and the lack of timely treatment, periodically fading symptoms of subacute adnexitis become a "springboard" for the development of the chronic form of the disease.

Symptoms of chronic adnexitis

Inflammatory diseases of the internal genital organs often have a chronic form, and inflammation of the uterine appendages is no exception.

Chronic adnexitis most often happens either as a result of insufficient therapeutic effect in subacute adnexitis, or manifestation of a latent (latent) form of this pathology.

Key symptoms of chronic adnexitis:

• practically constant subfebrile body temperature (in the range of + 37-37.5 ° C);
• Periodically arising blunt pains localized in the lower abdomen, in the lumbar and inguinal regions;
• painful sensations in intimate proximity;
• violation of the normal menstrual cycle;
• pathological vaginal discharge.

Subfebrile temperature is a sign of a slow inflammatory process. The pains are caused not so much by inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes as by the process of formation of adhesions - dense fibrous strands that connect healthy tissues together, leading to obstruction of the fallopian tubes. Pain during sexual intercourse is also the result of adhesions that disrupt the physiological mobility of neighboring organs.

And such a symptom of chronic adnexitis, as a violation of the menstrual cycle, is due to the fact that inflammation of the ovaries has violated the alternation of their physiological phases (follicular, ovulatory and lutein). The consequences of this are manifested in the form of monthly irregularities and changes in their duration and intensity.

Since the appendages of the uterus consist of two paired organs - two fallopian tubes and two ovaries located on both sides of the uterus body, the inflammation can have different localization. In this case, as clinical practice shows, the symptoms of right adnexitis and symptoms of left adnexitis differ only in that the pain is stronger felt from the right or left side of the abdomen, respectively. However, with a very severe pain syndrome, it is very difficult to establish precise localization. And the symptoms of bilateral adnexitis - acute and chronic - are described above.

Symptoms of exacerbation of chronic adnexitis

The causes of the recurrence of the inflammatory process in the appendages of the uterus are individual. It can be both hypothermia, and metabolic disorders, and a deficiency of vitamins, and stress. Symptoms of exacerbation of adnexitis are manifested in the form of increased pain in the groin and in the lower abdomen; increase in temperature (up to + 38-39 ° C), fever and weakness; dry mouth; nausea and vomiting; increased heart rate; disorders of urination; diarrhea and flatulence. And sharp pains with exacerbation of chronic inflammation of appendages cause not only adhesions, which can affect the tissues of other organs of the small pelvis.

Doctors warn: if adnexitis is not treated, then a "scenario" is possible, in which the purulent exudate accumulated in the inflammatory focus can go beyond it and cause acute inflammation of the pelvic peritoneum part - pelvioperitonitis. And this is deadly dangerous.

Symptoms of adnexitis in pregnancy

The specific state of the immune system of a woman during pregnancy leads to a decrease in the body's resistance to various infections. This allows pathogens to attack more actively "weak spots", in the first place, the organs of the small pelvis and the genitourinary system. Symptoms of adnexitis in pregnancy are also manifested by lower abdominal pain, fever, impaired urination, deterioration in overall health, and vaginal discharge (exudative or purulent).

The most dangerous option is acute or subacute adnexitis, which occurred in the first trimester of pregnancy. This disease - like any other inflammatory process in the early stages of gestation - can trigger a miscarriage. And can give a complication in the form of negative morphological and functional changes in the placenta that result in placental insufficiency and lead to a disruption in the intrauterine development of the fetus.

Gynecologists call the consequences of inflammation of the uterine appendages among the main causes of spontaneous termination of pregnancy and infertility of women and recommend paying attention to symptoms of adnexitis, which should promptly consult a doctor.