Swollen ovaries

introduction

Usually a gynecological ultrasound examination reveals a thickening of the ovaries, so that one speaks of "swollen ovaries". This means that the ovaries do not show the dimensions that they would normally show on examination. Furthermore, their structure can also be changed. It is a purely descriptive name, which per se does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the cause. Only the actual state is determined.

Often, however, causes for the swelling such as cysts or bleeding can still be seen. The swelling is a non-specific sign of inflammation of the ovaries, which must always be assessed in connection with accompanying symptoms and further examinations.

Causes of Swollen Ovaries

There may be swelling of the ovaries various causes to have. The most important for the search for the cause are complaints the woman. The appearance of the swelling does not usually reveal what is hidden behind it.

A common cause of ovarian swelling is bacterial infections. Around 1% of young women experience this. Usually not only those are affected Ovariesbut also the Fallopian tubes. One speaks of the so-called bacterial adnexitis. The most common pathogens that cause swelling of the ovaries are gonococci and chlamydia Sexual intercourse be transmitted. In principle, however, other pathogens such as E. coli are also possible.

Risk factors include frequent partner changes, the spiral of contraception, the puerperium and menstruation. Even after gynecological operations, the risk of such an infection is increased.
Are typical severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea and even vomiting. Rapid antibiotic therapy is necessary as there is a risk of complications such as sterility or even the formation of an abscess.

More rarely, cysts cause ovaries to swell. They can become very large and sometimes cause bleeding. The ovaries may look swollen on the ultrasound scan. Read on under: Cysts on the ovaries

Another equally rare cause of ovarian swelling can be a malignant change - in other words, cancer. This is usually not noticeable in the initial stage, as there are no pain or similar symptoms. Symptoms such as a feeling of pressure in the abdomen, constipation, fever, night sweats or swelling of the lymph nodes can only occur as the disease progresses. However, these symptoms are very unspecific and also occur with other diseases.

Ectopic pregnancy is another possible cause of ovarian swelling. It is typical here that only one ovary is swollen. The swelling is also different from the type of swelling from inflammation. Rather, a kind of ring-shaped structure can be seen around the fallopian tube. In combination with a positive pregnancy test, this finding is groundbreaking for an ectopic pregnancy. Therapy is urgently required, as the fallopian tube can burst and life-threatening bleeding can occur.

Ultimately, endometriosis is the cause of ovarian swelling. Endometriosis is a condition in which the lining of the uterus is found outside the uterus. This endometriosis is most often found in the area where the ovaries branch off to the uterus, which is why ovarian swelling is very rare.
In some cases, the extra mucous membrane can also be directly on the ovaries. Swelling of the ovaries would then in principle be possible. Find out more about this topic at: Endometriosis you should know that

Diagnosis of swollen ovaries

A swelling of the ovaries becomes instrumental in the transvaginal sonography detected. This is the vaginal ultrasound scan, which is often performed by the gynecologist. In this investigation, the Ovaries examined and measured. A swelling is noticeable here. In some cases, swelling can also be guessed at by vaginal palpation.

As a symptom of a Inflammation of the ovaries is often found Portio sliding pain (Pain at the junction of the vagina and uterus). This is in the vaginal palpation examination provoked by the examiner and is typical of bacterial adnexitis. The examiner then feels a kind of resistance, which is also known as resistance.
Depending on the suspicion, further investigations will be carried out, such as Blood tests or a laparoscopy. One is especially important vaginal smearbeing examined for pathogens. The focus is on the targeted examination for gonococci and chlamydia, as these are the most common pathogens causing adnexitis.

If an ectopic pregnancy is suspected, an pregnancy test carried out.

Accompanying symptoms of swollen ovaries

Cause swollen ovaries no uniform symptomsas various diseases or conditions can be responsible for the swelling. Some swellings go unnoticed at first because they are symptom-free.

Bacterial infections of the ovaries (adnexitis) lead to in the acute stage strongest pain in the lower abdomenthat occur suddenly. Usually the pain is lateral. Nausea, vomiting and fever can also occur. However, it is also possible that the infection is milder. The symptoms are then not so pronounced that the affected woman usually does not notice anything. Only the gynecological palpation examination can be painful.

At a Ectopic pregnancy however, the symptoms accompanying ovarian swelling look very different. Mostly it comes to Spotting outside of your period, which can be mistaken for late menstruation. Are still possible Lower abdominal pain or tenderness over the affected ovary.

A Endometriosis of the ovaries leads to cycle-dependent and cycle-independent symptoms. The cycle-dependent symptoms arise because the misplaced uterine lining reacts to the hormonal balance of the cycle.
Typical is a cycle synchronous painwhich starts 2 days before your period and increases in intensity as your period progresses. This pain is also called Crescendo pain designated. Furthermore, cycle irregularities are like Intermenstrual bleeding and spottingbleeding very heavily (hypermenorrhea) or very painful bleeding typical of endometriosis.
As cycle-independent pain can permanent abdominal pain occur. These depend on the extent to which the ovaries are affected. In addition, the risk of an ectopic pregnancy or even sterility is increased.

Swollen ovaries are rarely an expression of a malignant tumor disease, i.e. cancer. In this case, the symptoms are highly dependent on the stage of the cancer. Unfortunately at this point the cancer is in early stage symptom-freeso that he often only recognized very late becomes.
In the advanced stage, fever, night sweats, swelling of the lymph nodes, abdominal pain and general fatigue may occur. However, these symptoms are very unspecific and can in principle also be present in other diseases.

Swollen ovaries and pain

Swollen ovaries often lead to too Pain.
A very common reason for ovarian swelling is that bacterial adnexitis. In the acute stage, this is accompanied by mostly unilateral, severe abdominal pain that occurs suddenly. This kind pain has a very pulling and stabbing Character and is described by women as very peculiar. It is different from menstrual pain, for example. Fever, nausea and vomiting are typical. In the chronic stage, the pain is usually only as dull pressure in the lower abdomen perceptible. However, it can flare up again and again in its acute form without warning.

Sometimes the disease is subacute so that the pain is barely noticeable. They can then usually only be provoked in the gynecological palpation examination. A so-called portio-sliding pain is also typical. This is provoked by the examiner in the vaginal palpation examination.

The pain of a Ectopic pregnancy are usually different in nature than in adnexitis. They are usually weaker and appear insidious. Often there is no pain at all. If there is pain, it is often non-specific, oppressive pain in the lower abdomen. Possibly there is also pain on pressure over the ectopic pregnancy.
As a complication of an ectopic pregnancy, the so-called Tubal rupture occur. The fallopian tube tears and sudden, severe pain in the lower abdomen occurs. At the same time it can become one Circulatory collapse come. It is about a highly acute situationto be treated as an emergency.

Also one Endometriosis causing pain as a symptom of a Ovarian swelling. Cycle-dependent pain is typical. This pain occurs around 2 days before your period and increase in intensity during the period. They subside towards the end of the period. The pain owes the name "crescendo pain" to this process. There may also be persistent abdominal pain. These indicate cystic structures or adhesions in the abdomen. If there are additional endometrial foci in the vagina, additional ones are needed Painful intercourse very typical.

Learn more at: Sore ovaries - these are the most common causes

How to treat swollen ovaries

There are various treatment options, depending on the cause of the swelling.
At a bacterial infection is sufficient and rapid antibiotic therapy very important. A spontaneous healing without antibiosis is impossible. Which antibiotic is best depends on that Pathogen and the Stage of inflammation from. In the acute stage, antibiotic therapy is also carried out Metronidazole and Cirprofloxacin via the vein.
If gonococci are detected, additional Ceftriaxone administered. A detection of chlamydia requires additional therapy with Azithromycin.

It can still be a Puncture of the ovary may be necessary to eliminate the inflammation. In the subacute stage of the disease, the antibiotics can also be taken in the form of tablets. The goal is to prevent complications as they can have serious consequences. These include, for example, abscesses or adhesions that then have to be treated surgically.

Treating a Ectopic pregnancy can be done in several ways. Asymptomatic ectopic pregnancies can be medicated with the active ingredient Methotrexate be treated. This can be administered through the vein or injected directly into the ovary. Symptomatic ectopic pregnancy requires one laparoscopic interventionwhere the Pregnancy removed becomes. This can be done either with preservation or removal of the ovary. More about this at: Therapy of ectopic pregnancy

Ovarian swelling due to a Endometriosis are also treated with the help of various therapy options. At first there is one in the foreground Pain reduction with medication how Ibuprofen and Diclofenac. In addition, come hormonal contraceptives and active ingredients that intervene in the hormonal balance. Very large endometrial foci can cleared operationally become.

Duration of ovarian swelling

Ovarian swelling can several weeks or even Months to be available. A bacterial infection of the ovaries can become chronic if it is not treated properly.
Endometrial foci are also mostly Months or years, sometimes permanently present. Ovarian swelling in an ectopic pregnancy usually only exists few weeksbecause it regresses after the pregnancy is terminated.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to specify a general duration for ovarian swelling. It depends on the cause and the success of the therapy.

Swollen ovaries before your period

Ovarian swelling does not usually develop regularly before your period. When the ovaries are swollen, one is hiding other cause than the period after it. This can be, for example, chronic inflammation of the ovaries (adnexitis), endometriosis or an ovarian cyst.

Before the period can however Complaints intensified occur. At a chronic adnexitis a flare-up of the complaints is in principle always possible. Many women complain of flaring pelvic pain, especially in the days before their period. A Endometriosis is typically characterized by pain that begins about 2 to 3 days before your period. Also Ovarian cysts react to the hormonal fluctuations of the cycle and can lead to discomfort just before the days.

Swollen ovaries during pregnancy

Many women especially complain in the Early pregnancy over slight abdominal discomfort. Even if women often suspect the cause in the ovaries, this is usually not the case. Most of the time, mild discomfort, such as a slight pulling sensation or indigestion, is more of a problem Adaptation reaction of the body to pregnancy.

However, severe abdominal pain or fever rather indicate adnexitis, which can also occur during pregnancy. Ultimately, only one can Examination at the gynecologist Provide information about the cause of the symptoms.

Ovarian swelling persists with one Ectopic pregnancy possible. A positive pregnancy test and swelling of an ovary corroborate the suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy. In this case, a vaginal ultrasound examination does not reveal a fruit cavity in the uterus. In addition, symptoms such as spotting and unilateral pelvic pain are suspect for an ectopic pregnancy.

The likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy is particularly increased in women who reproductive medicine activities take advantage of. These are common procedures such as ICSI, in-vitro fertilization or follicle stimulation, which help to have children with various causes of sterility. A hormonal treatment for women, which is also known as follicle stimulation, stimulates the development of several egg cells. So it can temporarily to a slight swelling of the fallopian tubes come, which is however normal.
As multiple egg cells mature and multiple embryos are implanted, the risk of ectopic pregnancies increases. In rare cases, pregnancy can also implant itself in both the uterus and fallopian tubes.

Swollen ovaries after an artificial insemination transfer

Ovarian swelling as part of so-called ICSI or in-vitro fertilization is possible, but not pathological. Before the treatment, the woman must have hormonal follicle stimulation. This treatment promotes egg maturation and is known as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Mild swelling of the ovaries is not a concern.

However, an ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which is associated with a massive enlargement of the ovaries, can be a complication of this treatment. To prevent this, the woman will of course be closely monitored during the treatment.
Even after the fertilized egg cells have been transferred, swelling in the first few weeks of pregnancy is still normal and can be traced back to previous hormone therapy. However, if you experience severe abdominal pain or palpable swelling, you should not hesitate to consult your doctor.

You might also be interested in: Artificial fertilization

Ovarian swelling after puncture

In the course of the common reproductive procedures ICSI and in vitro fertilization, the ovary is punctured, during which the puncture set is inserted into the vagina. From there you can reach the ovary and remove the egg cells. These are then fertilized outside of the woman. After successful fertilization, a maximum of 3 embryos are reinserted into the uterus. To one Puncture can a Inflammation of the ovaries as a complication occur. A swelling can then be seen on the ultrasound. Symptoms such as fever, severe abdominal pain, or nausea are indicators of a bacterial infection of the ovary.