What is Salpingitis? 4 Common Facts Many People Don't Know

Among the most common gynecological inflammatory diseases in women, salpingitis is a relatively common type of inflammation. However, because the symptoms of inflammation are not very obvious, it is often easily confused with other gynecological diseases.

Therefore, many people need clarification about the inspection method, clinical manifestations, and prevention and treatment strategies, which often leads to a passive approach to disease prevention and treatment.

So, what is salpingitis? If you're still unclear, consider these four points.

1. What is Salpingitis?

As the name suggests, it is an inflammatory reaction in the fallopian tubes. Generally speaking, they are an essential part of the female reproductive system, connecting the uterus and the ovaries, located between the uterus and the ovaries. The uterus is where new life is nurtured, while the tubes are where the fertilized eggs are formed, with sperm and eggs combining in the ampulla of the fallopian tubes to create fertilized eggs.

Therefore, once inflammation occurs, it will affect a woman's fertility. Inflammation is a relatively common disease state in any part of the body, including the fallopian tubes.

2. What Tests are Needed for Salpingitis?

Hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. Performing a combined examination of hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, dye injection, and selective cannulation tests. When this disease occurs, a hysteroscopy and laparoscopy examination can reveal the pus accumulation stage, showing thickening and swelling of the tubes, and later, the closure of the fimbrial end can be observed.

Hydrotubation test. A catheter is used to inject a certain amount of fluid into the female uterine cavity, mainly based on the resistance, the presence or absence of reflux, the amount of fluid injected, and the sensation to determine whether the fallopian tubes are in a patent state. Because the fluid injection operation is simple, does not require special equipment, and is low-cost, it is widely used. However, fluid injection cannot directly understand the patency and uterine cavity, nor can it identify which part is blocked, and it may even aggravate hydrosalpinx.

Ultrasound examination. Some fallopian tube effusions can be shown by ultrasound examination, especially in the acute phase. It can cause blockage of the tubes. If inflammatory exudate accumulates in the fallopian tube and uterine cavity, it can be shown by ultrasound examination. If there is an abnormal echo on one or both sides of the uterus and the fallopian tubes are thickened, the lumen may show punctate or low echoes.

Hysterosalpingography. Hysterosalpingography is the most reliable examination for diagnosing salpingitis. X-ray examination will show the entire course of the fallopian tubes, with apparent fluid expansion at the fimbrial end and only part or no contrast agent diffusing from the fimbrial end into the pelvic cavity.

3. What are the Clinical Manifestations of Salpingitis?

Infertility: It can be damaged by disease, leading to blockage and infertility, with secondary infertility being more common.

Menstrual Irregularity: The most common symptoms of salpingitis are frequent menstruation and excessive menstrual flow, possibly due to pelvic congestion and ovarian dysfunction. Chronic inflammation leading to uterine fibrosis, incomplete uterine restoration, or adhesions causing abnormal uterine position can all lead to excessive menstruation.

Dysmenorrhea: Pelvic congestion causes congestive dysmenorrhea, with abdominal pain starting one week before menstruation, intensifying as the period approaches, and continuing until the onset of menstruation.

Abdominal Pain: Symptoms of abdominal pain in patients with salpingitis mainly manifest as a certain degree of pain in the lower abdomen, often as a hidden discomfort, with pain, bloating, a feeling of falling, and increased fatigue in the lower back and sacral area, pelvic adhesions, and symptoms of bladder and rectal fullness or pain during emptying.

Increased Vaginal Discharge: Long-term untreated disease can lead to increased vaginal discharge, and some patients have no subjective symptoms other than infertility.

4. How Should Salpingitis Be Prevented and Treated?

Treatment of Salpingitis:

General Treatment: During salpingitis, rest in bed as much as possible, preferably in a semi-recumbent position to prevent the inflammation from spreading upwards. Nutritional supplementation, electrolyte and water balance maintenance are essential during this period.

Medication: After a definitive diagnosis, antipyretic and analgesic medications can be used under the guidance of a doctor. It is also necessary to choose appropriate antibiotics based on the pathogen and drug sensitivity tests, ensuring adequate dosage and thorough anti-inflammatory treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine, such as Fuyan Pill, can also eliminate inflammation and treat disease.

Surgical Treatment: Immediate surgery is required to remove the lesion, to prevent the inflammation from spreading rapidly and to avoid the development of sepsis that could endanger life. If a sense of fullness and fluctuation can be felt in the posterior cul-de-sac, it is necessary to surgically incise, drain, and provide drainage.

Prevention of Salpingitis:

Promote Healthy Sexual Life: Women should avoid sexual activity during menstruation and maintain sexual hygiene to prevent bacterial invasion.

Pay Attention to Self-care: Women's resistance and immunity can decrease during menstruation, childbirth, abortion, or after undergoing other gynecological surgeries. It's important to pay attention to self-care, strengthen nutrition, enhance immunity, and reduce the likelihood of disease.

Maintain Personal Hygiene: In daily life, women should maintain personal hygiene, develop good personal habits, and keep the genital area clean and dry. Towels, bath towels, and other personal items should not be shared with others.

Prevent Inflammatory Infections: A preventive measure against salpingitis is to avoid inflammatory infections. A woman with other gynecological inflammations should be treated promptly and thoroughly to prevent bacteria from spreading to the fallopian tubes and causing inflammation.