Ovarian inflammation: Treatment with medication
Inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, known as adnexitis, is treated conservatively with a combination of antibiotics. Treatment of adnexitis can take up to 14 days. You should continue to take the medication even after the acute symptoms have subsided so that the inflammation heals completely. Therapy cannot reverse the damage caused by the infection in the fallopian tubes/ovaries. It is therefore all the more important to present early if adnexitis is suspected. If there is no significant improvement during outpatient therapy, an inpatient stay in hospital is advisable. Surgery is rarely necessary if pus has formed.
When do I have to go to hospital?
A stay in hospital is indicated if:
- you have a high temperature (>38.5°C), severe pain and/or nausea (vomiting).
- you are pregnant.
- the selected therapy does not respond within 48 to 72 hours.
- additional infections in the abdominal area cannot be ruled out (e.g. appendicitis)
- you need support in taking your medication regularly.
- a large accumulation of pus (so-called tubo-ovarian abscess) has formed in the area of the fallopian tubes/ovaries.
Conservative therapy with medication
Adnexitis is treated with antibiotics. We usually prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics that are effective against several pathogens. If the causative pathogen and possible resistances are known, the antibiotic therapy is adjusted accordingly. We will also prescribe anti-inflammatory and/or antipyretic painkillers. These counteract the inflammatory process and relieve the pain. You should also temporarily abstain from sexual intercourse – even if you no longer feel any pain during intercourse. It is usually advisable to also treat your sexual partner, even if they have no symptoms, so that you do not re-infect your partner after treatment.
If complications arise, surgery may be necessary. For example, if abscesses (encapsulated foci of pus) form in the pelvic area.
Supporting measures
Especially if you have a fever, it is important that you drink plenty of fluids, if necessary in the form of an infusion.
Surgical therapy
If complications (tuboovarian abscess) occur in acute adnexitis that cannot be treated with conservative measures, surgery is necessary. The tubo-ovarian abscess is opened by surgery, the pus is suctioned out and the pelvic cavity is flushed In the case of chronic inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, one or both fallopian tubes, and occasionally one or both ovaries, may have to be removed.