Salpingitis - is an inflammatory process that affects the fallopian tubes. There are several subcategories of salpingitis, and, usually, they are all caused by bacteria that enter the tubes through the vagina and uterus. Most often these are staphylococci, streptococci and gonococci.
Types of salpingitis
Acute and chronic inflammation are clasified acute salpingitis can be simple and purulent, and chronic can be atrophic, hypertrophic, and nonspecific granulomatous.
As a rule, acute salpingitis makes itself felt with pain at the level of the lower abdomen, which tends to gradually increase. Often pain is associated with nausea and vomiting (especially when salpingitis is caused by pathogens). Fever appears, vaginal discharge is accompanied by itching.
Despite the fact that abdominal pain is felt only on one side, this does not mean that only one tube is involved in the inflammatory process. Both fallopian tubes can be infected. In severe cases of salpingitis, peritonitis may develop.
If acute salpingitis is not treated properly, inflammation can go into the chronic phase: adhesions and scars form on the tube, the menstrual cycle is disturbed. The chronic form of salpingitis is the most dangerous in the reproductive sense, because constant inflammatory changes in the tubes prevent fertilization. Salpingitis manifests itself during intercourse in pain and discomfort due to the developing adhesive process.
Causes of Salpingitis
Abortion and postpartum sepsis can contribute to the entry of microorganisms from the vagina into the uterus and fallopian tubes. Tuberculosis also affects the level of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, since mycobacterium tuberculosis reaches the genital area, spreading through the bloodstream and causing salpingitis.
Diagnosis and treatment of salpingitis
Salpingitis is a serious disease that should not be underestimated: timelyе gynecological examination can reduce the consequences of the disease. The diagnosis is made on the basis of blood tests, ultrasound of the pelvic organs, tissue sampling for biopsy. In more severe cases, the patient undergoes laparoscopy with a thorough abdominal diagnosis.
Treatment of salpingitis should be directed against the infectious agent that caused the disease. As a rule, the doctor prescribes antibiotics not only to the patient, but also to her partner, since salpingitis is one of the STDs (sexual transmitted diseases).If antibiotic therapy does not give positive results, the patient may be prescribed surgery.