Salpingitis

What is salpingitis?

Salpingitis is inflammation of one or both fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes are the connection between the ovaries and the uterus. When an egg is released from an ovary, it travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus.

Salpingitis may also be called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is the term for an infection of any of the pelvic organs. including the fallopian tubes.

How does it occur?

Salpingitis is caused by a bacterial infection that spreads into the fallopian tubes from the vagina, uterus, or cervix (opening to the uterus). The infection is often sexually transmitted. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that can be passed from one partner to another during sexual intercourse, or by contact with the genitals, mouth, or rectal area of an infected person.

Rarely, the infection may happen after an IUD (intrauterine device for birth control) has been inserted.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of salpingitis include:

• pain in the lower abdomen (both sides), especially when you move
• abnormal vaginal discharge
• pain during a vaginal exam or sexual intercourse
• fever and chills
• need to urinate often
• pain or burning when you urinate
• more painful menstrual periods
• spotting between menstrual periods
• nausea and vomiting.

In some cases there are no symptoms.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and examine you. You may have a blood test. Your provider will take a sample of cervical cells by inserting a swab into the vagina and brushing the swab against the wall of the cervix (the opening to the uterus). Lab tests of the sample will show what type of bacteria is causing the infection.

A pregnancy test may be done because abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding can be symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic, or tubal, pregnancy is a pregnancy that takes place outside the uterus.

A laparoscopy may be done to examine your abdomen. A laparoscopy is a surgical procedure performed while you are under anesthesia. Your healthcare provider makes a small cut near your bellybutton and inserts a thin tube with a light and tiny camera through the cut. Your provider can then look at the organs in your abdomen and pelvis.

An ultrasound is sometimes used to help with the diagnosis.

How is it treated?

Treatment includes bed rest for you and antibiotic therapy for you and your sexual partner to prevent spread as well as recurrence. You may need to stay in the hospital for IV antibiotic treatment. You may be given pain medicine.

If you have an IUD, it may need to be removed.

You may need surgery to repair or remove a damaged tube or to treat a pelvic abscess. Scar tissue (adhesions) may need to be removed.

How long will the effects last?

You will start to feel better 2 to 3 days after starting the treatment. Make sure you finish all the medicine as prescribed. If the infection is not treated, it could spread to other parts of your body or create an abscess in the fallopian tubes or ovaries. It might cause chronic (long lasting) pelvic pain.

Salpingitis can cause scarring of the fallopian tubes. This scarring could make it hard for you to get pregnant. Prompt and complete treatment is very important to try to preserve your ability to have children. Scarring of the fallopian tubes also increases your risk of having a tubal pregnancy in the future.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow these guidelines:

• Do not have sex until your provider tells you it is OK.
• If your provider thinks your infection may be caused by a sexually transmitted disease, your sexual partner must be examined and treated as well.
• Know the side effects of any medicine you are taking.
• If you are taking tetracycline or a similar medicine, such as doxycycline, avoid having milk products within 2 hours of taking the medicine. Also, you may sunburn more easily or develop a rash while you are taking this medicine.
• Put a heating pad on your abdomen to relieve cramping or pain. Use a low heat setting. Be careful not to burn yourself.
• You should drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juices, and tea.
• Call your healthcare provider if:
  • You have new symptoms.
  • Your pain gets worse.
  • You develop a fever over 101°F (38.4°C).
  • You feel you are getting sicker.

What can be done to help prevent salpingitis?

The following practices may help prevent salpingitis and other pelvic infections:

• Have just 1 sexual partner who is not sexually active with anyone else.
• Avoid having sex when you have an infection.
• Use a latex or polyurethane condom to reduce the risk of infection every time you have sex.
• Have yearly pelvic exams, including tests for infection.