Ovarian Inflammation: Treatment with Medication
Inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, known as adnexitis, is treated conservatively with a combination of antibiotics. Treatment for adnexitis can take up to 14 days. You should continue taking the medication even after your acute symptoms have subsided so that the inflammation can heal completely. The treatment cannot reverse the damage caused by the infection in the fallopian tubes and ovaries. That is why it is all the more important to seek medical attention early on if adnexitis is suspected. If there is no significant improvement during outpatient treatment, hospitalization is advisable. Surgery is rarely necessary if pus has formed.
When do I need to go to the hospital?
A hospital stay is recommended if:
- You have a high fever (>38.5°C), severe pain, and/or nausea (vomiting).
- You are pregnant.
- the chosen treatment does not take effect within 48 to 72 hours.
- Additional infections in the abdominal area cannot be ruled out (e.g., B. Appendicitis)
- who need help taking their medication regularly.
- A large collection of pus (known as a tubo-ovarian abscess) has formed in the area of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Conservative treatment with medication
Adnexitis is treated with antibiotics. We usually prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics, which are effective against multiple pathogens. If the causative pathogen and any potential resistances are known, antibiotic therapy is tailored accordingly. In addition, we will prescribe anti-inflammatory and/or fever-reducing pain relievers for you. These counteract the inflammatory process and relieve pain. In addition, you should temporarily refrain from sexual intercourse—even if you no longer experience pain during intercourse. As a general rule, it is advisable to treat your sexual partner as well—even if they have no symptoms—so that you do not become reinfected by your partner after treatment.
If complications arise, surgery may be necessary. For example, when abscesses (encapsulated pockets of pus) form in the pelvic area.
Supportive Measures
Especially if you have a fever, it is important to drink plenty of fluids—including, if necessary, through an IV.
Surgical Treatment
If complications (tubo-ovarian abscess) arise in cases of acute adnexitis that cannot be treated with conservative measures, surgery is necessary. The tubo-ovarian abscess is incised during surgery, the pus is aspirated, and the pelvic cavity is irrigated. In cases of chronic inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, one or both fallopian tubes—and occasionally one or both ovaries—may need to be removed.