Inflammation of the Ovaries: Symptoms and Treatment

19.08.2010 | By: S. B.

Inflammation of the ovaries can leave long-lasting consequences if it is not treated in time, so make sure you know all the symptoms!

One possible reason for severe abdominal pain is the inflammation of the ovaries. (Photoxpress)

Inflammation of the ovaries: The symptoms

Inflammation of the ovaries sometimes develops into an acute condition (short-term disease or a disease that needs at least several weeks to cure), but if it is not treated properly it can become a chronic disease (long-term, life-lasting). Women diagnosed with the inflammation of the ovaries describe the condition in different ways, but they all feel pain or discomfort in the diaphragm region. Some women describe the pain as obtuse and others as sharp or as if someone was sticking a knife into their abdomen. Sometimes the pain is more severe on one side of the abdomen. Other frequent symptoms include: pain or discomfort in the uterus, painful menstrual periods, increased vaginal discharge and painful sexual intercourse, especially in the doggy position. If a patient lies on her back and lifts her arms, a sort of swelling is usually seen on her abdomen.

Sometimes the pain spreads from the abdomen to other parts of the body, most often to the thighs, where a feeling of stiffness appears. Less frequent symptoms include: signs of hysteria, nausea and vomiting, migraines. Dr. Frenk Kristofelc also mentions a possible vaginal discharge, while during the gynecological examination a swelling on the ovaries and increased sensitivity in the area is often felt.

Inflammation of the ovaries: The causes

Inflammation of the ovaries is usually caused by bacteria or viruses which enter into the vagina and infect the ovaries. It is also often caused by bacteria from which gonorrhea and chlamydia often develop, but this is not the only reason. Inflammation of the ovaries can develop because of the inflammation of other tissues, for example mumps, which is especially dangerous for adults. If you recover from mumps as a kid, before the puberty, then the disease can't influence the functioning of your sexual organs.

Fever and abdominal pain are the typical symptoms of this virus and they can further develop into inflammation of the ovaries, and damage them permanently. The disease can also occur after a complicated abortion, inflammation of the pelvis or some other severe medical condition, for example tumor on the ovaries or endometriosis and diseases where the mucous membrane of the uterus spreads outside the uterus.

Inflammation of the ovaries: The treatment

Inflammation of the ovaries requires a thorough examination of the abdominal cavity and vagina. The doctor sometimes analyzes blood because it contains the signs of infection. The condition is treated with antibiotics prescribed by the doctor.

The patient usually doesn't have to stay in hospital, but hospitalization is necessary if the inflammation is recurrent or gets worse, if the antibiotics don't help, if the woman is pregnant or in her fertile years. Sometimes the inflammation of the ovaries is accompanied by cysts which are removed if they cause pain. It is very important that you visit a gynecologist as soon as you experience any of the typical symptoms, because ignoring the treatment can lead to infertility. The doctors also warn that it is not unusual if the abdominal pain continues for some time after treatment because pain is a normal part of recovery.