Symptoms of adnexitis

Synonyms in a broader sense

Inflammation of the uterine appendages such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes
Inflammation of the fallopian tubes, inflammation of the ovaries
English: adnexitis

The typical symptoms

The symptoms of adnexitis depend on the particular form. A distinction is made between an acute and a chronic course.

In the acute clinical picture, there is usually severe pelvic pain, often existing on both sides, accompanied by a strong, sudden feeling of illness. The cause of the pelvic pain is a swelling of the fallopian tube and possibly also of the ovary. Fever is common, but not compulsory. Depending on how the infection has spread, pain may also occur when urinating or defecating. Constipation, gas, and vomiting are also known to be associated symptoms. The vagina may have spotting and other discharge. Moving the cervix also leads to pain. The patient's blood shows increased levels of inflammation.

Is the acute adnexitis subsided and if you still get dull lower abdominal pain when you sit down, then one has chronic adnexitis formed, the cause of which is inadequate therapy or adhesions of the Fallopian tube and its surroundings. These adhesions are reason given by some patients Painful intercourse.
Often these adhesions close the fallopian tube so that fluid collects in it, which presses on the tissue and can lead to the death of cells.
The consequence of this is this infertility. In addition, as in the acute course

• constipation
• Flatulence
• Fatigue as well
• irregular bleeding

occur.

Ovarian pain

About 1% of all women will suffer from inflammation of the internal genital organs at some point in their life. Such inflammation can cause a variety of symptoms, including pain. Both unilateral and bilateral pain in the ovaries are possible depending on the location of the inflammation. Adnexitis can go through different stages of the disease in which the pain is not always equally pronounced. In the acute stage, the pain in the ovary starts very suddenly. Often the pain can then be assigned to a specific side, which is why it is also referred to as side-emphasis. In this acute phase, it is extremely painful. However, the disease can also be subacute. This means that the symptoms are not as severe. However, ovarian pain may still be present. Often the pain can only be provoked during the examination by palpating the affected ovary. In the chronic stage of the disease, the pain can often not be assigned exactly to one side and has a rather dull, oppressive character.

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Abdominal pain as a symptom of adnexitis

Adnexitis leads to sometimes very severe abdominal pain, which can be localized in different ways. However, it is almost always abdominal pain, which also includes pain in the affected ovary. Depending on the stage of the disease, the pain intensity and also the quality of the pain varies. In the acute stage, pronounced abdominal pain with accentuated sides is typical. It is localized on the side of the affected ovary and has a pulling character. However, this pain can spread to the entire abdomen over time. The pain is so severe that most women at this stage of the disease go to an emergency room or doctor's office because they cannot tolerate the pain. There are also other symptoms such as fever, nausea and vomiting. In the chronic stage, adnexitis causes very little or no abdominal pain. The pain can then usually only be triggered by pressing on the abdomen and is not present at rest.

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Fever as a symptom of adnexitis

Fever is a typical accompanying symptom of various infectious diseases. Adnexitis is one of these infectious diseases. High fever is not uncommon, especially in the acute stage of the disease.It is accompanied by other complaints, such as a pronounced feeling of illness, nausea and severe abdominal pain. However, adnexitis is often overlooked for a long time because it does not always lead to such clear symptoms. It can last for a long time and cause only mild pain or a slight increase in temperature. In this case, one also speaks of subfebrile temperatures that reach a height of 37.9 ° C. In the chronic stage, adnexitis does not cause an increase in temperature. If you have a fever, you can take antipyretic drugs such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Painful urination

A possible accompanying symptom of adnexitis can be a so-called dysuria. This is painful urination. Therefore, adnexitis is sometimes confused with cystitis. The painful urination will improve once the adnexitis is treated with an antibiotic. In rare cases, untreated adnexitis can lead to what is known as a Douglas abscess. A Douglas abscess is a collection of pus in the pelvis. In this case, pressure on the bladder can also lead to problems urinating.

Also read: Painful urination in woman

A purulent discharge can occur as part of various bacterial infections of the adnexa. A classic example of an infection that causes a discharge is gonorrhea. The discharge usually has a whitish-yellowish color and an unpleasant odor. Purulent discharge is more likely to be found in the acute stage of the disease, but can also occur in the chronic stage of the disease. Although purulent discharge on the vagina is a very typical symptom of an infection of the internal genital organs, it does not necessarily have to be present. Many women have no discharge and still have adnexitis.