Chronic salpingitis: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Chronic salpingitis is characterized by chronic inflammation of the tubes, initially caused by an infection in the female reproductive organs, and is a condition that can make pregnancy difficult by preventing the mature egg from reaching the uterine tubes, which can lead to the development of a pregnancy. in the tubes, called an ectopic pregnancy.

The symptoms of chronic salpingitis evolve as the inflammation occurs, and may include pain during intimate contact, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, changes in the menstrual cycle, abdominal pain and pain when urinating.

The diagnosis of salpingitis should be made as early as possible, as complications can be avoided. As chronic salpingitis can cause very mild symptoms or be asymptomatic, it is important to see a gynecologist frequently, ideally once a year at least.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of chronic salpingitis are:

• Abnormal, foul-smelling vaginal discharge;
• Changes in the menstrual cycle;
• Pain during ovulation;
• Pain during intimate contact;
• Fever;
• Abdominal and lower back pain;
• Pain when urinating;
• Nausea and vomiting.

The symptoms of chronic salpingitis become more intense as the inflammation occurs, so that at first no signs or symptoms are observed. Therefore, it is important that the gynecologist is consulted as soon as the first symptoms of salpingitis appear so that treatment can be started and, thus, complications can be prevented. Check out other symptoms of salpingitis.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of salpingitis must be made by the gynecologist initially based on the symptoms presented by the woman, through blood and urine tests, or by carrying out a microbiological analysis of a sample of vaginal secretion, to identify the bacteria causing the infection.

Additional tests such as a transvaginal ultrasound, salpingography and diagnostic laparoscopy may also be recommended to confirm the presence of tube inflammation.

Make an appointment with your nearest gynecologist to assess your risk of salpingitis:

Possible complications

If chronic salpingitis is not identified, not treated or if treatment is carried out too late, there is a greater risk of complications, such as spreading the infection to other areas of the body, such as the uterus and ovaries, very severe and prolonged abdominal pain, appearance of scars and blockages of the tubes, which can cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy.

Cause of chronic salpingitis

Salpingitis is generally caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria, the most common of which are Chlamydia trachomatis it’s at Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which spread to the female reproductive organs, causing inflammation. Although it is rarer, salpingitis can also be caused by bacteria of the genus Mycoplasma, Staphylococcus or Streptococcus.

Additionally, procedures such as uterine biopsy, hysteroscopy, IUD placement, childbirth, or abortion may increase your risk of developing salpingitis.

How the treatment is carried out

Salpingitis treatment includes the use of antibiotics orally or intravenously to treat the infection, and analgesics and anti-inflammatories to control pain. If salpingitis is related to the use of an IUD, treatment also involves its removal. In more serious cases, hospital treatment or surgery to remove the tubes and uterus may be necessary.

During treatment for the infection, the woman should rest and drink plenty of water. In addition to the woman, her partner must also take antibiotics during the treatment of inflammation, to make sure he does not transmit the disease to his partner again.