What is adnexitis?

The female body is very fragile, especially the reproductive system, which is often the main site of disease occurrence. The female reproductive system is relatively complex, including the uterus, ovaries, reproductive tract, etc. Among them, diseases near the uterus and ovaries have a great impact on women's health. This disease is also called gynecological disease. There are many specific types of symptoms. For example, adnexitis is a common gynecological disease. Let’s take a look at what adnexitis is?

Among the female internal reproductive organs, the fallopian tubes and ovaries are called appendages. Adnexitis refers to inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. However, fallopian tube and oophoritis are often accompanied by parametrial connective tissue inflammation and pelvic peritonitis, and are difficult to distinguish during diagnosis. Among pelvic organ inflammations, salpingitis is the most common. Due to the proximity of anatomical sites, salpingitis, oophoritis and pelvic peritonitis often coexist and affect each other.

Causes

Adnexitis is a common disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms invading the reproductive organs and causing infection of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. This disease can occur in both unmarried and married women, and is often associated with pelvic connective tissue inflammation clinically. Adnexitis can cause fallopian tube atresia, leading to infertility and inducing other complications.

Clinically it is divided into acute and chronic types.

1. Acute adnexitis

The main symptom is acute lower abdominal pain accompanied by fever. During gynecological examination, there is obvious tenderness and rebound pain in the adnexal area. Routine blood tests can show an increased white blood cell count and a significantly increased neutrophil ratio. If acute adnexitis is not treated promptly or thoroughly, it may turn into chronic adnexitis.

2. Chronic adnexitis

There are abdominal pains of varying degrees. Chronic inflammation recurs over time, causing pelvic congestion, connective tissue fibrosis, and adhesion of pelvic organs. Patients experience symptoms such as lower abdominal distension, pain, and lumbar pain, which may be mild or severe, accompanied by increased vaginal discharge, low back pain, menstrual disorders, etc., and often worsen during menstruation or after fatigue. During gynecological examination, there is tenderness, thickening, or a tender mass in the adnexal area on both sides or one side, and the white blood cell count is elevated or normal.

Some symptoms are sometimes not very obvious, but because the fallopian tubes and ovaries are adjacent to each other, it is difficult to distinguish when inflammation occurs. In particular, chronic inflammation of the fallopian tubes can lead to fibrosis, thickening and blockage of the fallopian tubes over time, and may also cause adhesion to surrounding tissues. If both ends of the fallopian tube are blocked, hydrosalpinx may form, and the accumulated water will penetrate into the ovaries that are adhered together, forming ovarian cysts. It can easily cause infertility or ectopic pregnancy.