There is a disease that about 40% of women will encounter in their lifetime, which is highly prone to recurrence and difficult to cure. In severe cases, it can affect women's fertility. It's pelvic inflammatory disease. Although pelvic inflammatory disease is not a malignant disease, once it occurs, it can affect women's normal lives and cause great distress, which is an indescribable "pain" for women. Let's have a correct understanding of pelvic inflammatory disease together.
1、 What are the symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease?
The symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease vary among women, and some women may not have any symptoms at all. However, the most common symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease include: 1. Lower abdominal pain: Patients with pelvic inflammatory disease may experience persistent pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic cavity, which is mostly bilateral. Mild cases may cause discomfort in the lower abdomen, while severe cases may also be accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the lower back, often worsening during fatigue, sexual intercourse, and before and after menstruation. Lower abdominal pain is often caused by inflammation and adhesions in the pelvic cavity, or the formation of tuberculous salpingo ovarian abscess.
2. Abnormal vaginal discharge: Increased vaginal discharge appears purulent and may emit an unpleasant odor.
3. Fever: Patients with mild pelvic inflammatory disease may present with mild fever. If the condition is severe, it may manifest as high fever (above 39-40 degrees Celsius), night sweats, chills, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
4. Nausea and vomiting: Some women with pelvic inflammatory disease may experience nausea and vomiting due to inflammation and infection.
2、 Why do we get pelvic inflammatory disease?
Firstly, let's start with the female defense system. Through long-term natural evolution, we women have developed a relatively complete defense mechanism to resist potential microbial infections.
1. The labia majora on both sides serve as the first gateway to shield against external microorganisms.
2. Under the action of pelvic floor muscles, the vagina is in a closed state, guarded by lactobacilli, which are one of the normal bacterial populations. They reside in the vagina year-round, secrete lactic acid, maintain the acidic environment of the vagina, and help inhibit the growth of other bacteria.
3. As the second gateway, the cervix tightly closes and secretes a large amount of mucus, which together with vaginal secretions, blocks the invasion of bacteria.
4. The endometrium can naturally shed and form menstruation. It is like a river periodically washing the uterine cavity, making it difficult for bacteria to take root and reproduce.
5. There are tens of thousands of cilia in the fallopian tubes that swing regularly towards the uterine cavity like brushes, preventing bacteria from entering the pelvic cavity.
If the internal defense system is damaged or if external pathogens invade, it may trigger pelvic inflammatory disease.
Exogenous pathogens commonly include Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which are usually caused by unclean sexual activity.
Endogenous pathogens are microorganisms that normally reside in the vagina and can also cause pelvic inflammatory disease under certain conditions, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, etc.
In addition, infections in other areas, such as appendicitis, tuberculosis, etc., may also spread to the pelvic cavity and cause inflammation.
3、 High risk factors for pelvic inflammatory disease
1. Sexual activity: Pelvic inflammatory disease is more likely to occur in women aged 15-25 who are sexually active, especially those who are too young for the first time, have too many friends, and have sexual partners with sexually transmitted diseases. (Here, it is important to remind friends who wear intrauterine devices (IUDs) and take contraceptive pills that too casual sexual activity can also lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.)
2. Intrauterine surgery: such as abortion, curettage, etc. These surgeries often cause damage, bleeding, and necrosis of the female reproductive tract mucosa, creating opportunities for those who engage in extramarital affairs.
3. Hygiene issues: Sexual activity during menstruation, unclean sanitary pads and other hygiene products, failure to clean after each intimate encounter, excessive pursuit of cleanliness and flushing of the vagina can all increase the incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease.
4. Decreased body resistance: For example, the direct spread of appendicitis and peritonitis is also a cause of pelvic inflammatory disease.
Pelvic inflammatory disease is not as insignificant as female friends imagine. If it is not treated in a timely and effective manner, it can easily lead to female infertility. Therefore, it is recommended that female friends seek timely treatment once pelvic inflammatory disease is detected.
4、 How to effectively prevent pelvic inflammatory disease
1. Pay attention to personal hygiene, wash the external genitalia frequently, change underwear frequently, do not wear tight pants, and do not wear synthetic underwear. Do not wash the vagina by hand or wash the external genitalia with soap.
2. Personal lifestyle habits: Sexual activity, swimming, and bathing are prohibited during menstruation, after abortion, or after female genital surgery when vaginal bleeding occurs.
3. Pay attention to sleeping position. Patients with acute pelvic inflammatory disease should rest in bed or adopt a semi recumbent position to facilitate the localization of inflammation and the discharge of secretions. During the treatment period, a balance between work and rest should be maintained to avoid excessive fatigue exacerbating the condition.
4. Pay attention to dietary regulation and strengthen nutrition. During the fever period, it is advisable to eat light and easily digestible food. For patients with high fever and body aches, pear juice, apple juice, watermelon juice, etc. can be given for drinking, but they should not be consumed chilled. Avoid eating oily, spicy, and baked foods.
5. Pay attention to the shape of stool. Patients with pelvic inflammatory disease should observe the shape of their stool during treatment. If there is pus in the stool or a strong feeling of urgency, they should immediately seek medical attention to prevent pelvic abscess from rupturing the intestinal wall and causing acute peritonitis. Pay attention to the quantity, quality, color, and taste of vaginal discharge. If there is a high amount of vaginal discharge, a thick yellow color, and a foul odor, it indicates that the condition is more severe. If the vaginal discharge changes from yellow to white (or light yellow), the amount varies less, and the odor tends to be normal (slightly sour), it indicates that the condition is likely to improve.
6. Do not misuse antibiotics without authorization. Long term use can cause vaginal flora disorder, and systematic treatment should be planned according to medical advice.
7. It is important to do a good job in contraception, as inadequate disinfection during an abortion can lead to the invasion of pathogenic bacteria.
Kind reminder: For the sake of your health, be sure to pay attention to your physical condition in a timely manner.
When certain symptoms appear, do not persist and it is best to seek professional treatment at the hospital in a timely manner to prevent minor illnesses from turning into major illnesses.