What is Salpingitis or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female genital tract. It can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Scar tissue develops between internal organs, causing persistent pelvic pain. It can also result in an ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when the fertilized egg develops outside the uterus. If left untreated, salpingitis can lead to chronic infection. Additionally, it may prevent you from becoming pregnant.

What causes salpingitis?

Bacteria are the cause of salpingitis. They are usually the same type of bacteria that cause sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Salpingitis can also develop if bacteria pass through the vagina and cervix after the use of an intrauterine device (IUD).

What are the risk factors for salpingitis?

Women of any age can get salpingitis. However, people at higher risk for salpingitis due to sexually transmitted bacteria are:

• Sexually active women under 25
• Women of childbearing age
• Women using intrauterine devices (IUDs)

What are the symptoms of salpingitis?

• Pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen.
• Pelvic pain
• Increase in foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Fever and chills
• Vomiting and nausea
• Painful urination
• Abdominal pain (upper right region)
• Pain during sexual intercourse

The symptoms of salpingitis may resemble those of other diseases or health problems. Always consult your doctor for a diagnosis.

How is salpingitis diagnosed?

Your doctor will review your medical history and perform a physical and pelvic exam. Other tests may be conducted:

• Microscopic examination of samples from the vagina and cervix.
• Blood tests
• Pap test. For this test, cells are taken from the cervix and examined under a microscope. It is used to detect cancer, infection, or inflammation.
• Ultrasound. This test uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the organs.
• Laparoscopy. This is a minor procedure performed with a laparoscope. It is a thin tube with a lens and light. It is inserted through an incision in the abdominal wall to visualize the reproductive tract.
• Culdocentesis. For this test, a needle is inserted into the pelvic cavity through the vaginal wall to collect a possible sample of pus.

How is primary immunodeficiency treated?

Your healthcare provider will determine the best treatment based on the following:

• Your age
• Your overall health and medical history
• Your ability to tolerate specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• The expected duration of the condition
• Your opinions or preferences

Antibiotic pills are used to treat salpingitis, especially if it is caused by an STD. If you have a severe infection, you may need to stay in the hospital for intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Sometimes surgery is necessary.

Key points

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female genital tract. It can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries.
• If left untreated, chronic infections and infertility may develop.
• It is caused by bacteria, often of the same type that cause STDs.
• Sexually active women under 25 and those of childbearing age are at greater risk of developing salpingitis from an STD.
• Salpingitis can cause pelvic pain, abdominal tenderness, vaginal discharge, fever, chills, and pain during urination and sexual intercourse.
• Treatment includes antibiotics, especially in cases of STDs.

Next steps

Tips to help you make the most of a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Before your visit, write down the questions you want answered.
• Have someone help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
• During the visit, note the names of any new medications, treatments, or tests, as well as any new instructions given by your doctor.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose of that visit.
• Ask how to contact your provider if you have questions.

How does pelvic inflammatory disease affect fertility?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) poses a significant threat to female fertility by causing inflammation and scarring in the reproductive organs. Often as a result of untreated sexually transmitted infections, salpingitis can block or damage the fallopian tubes, hindering the normal passage of eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.

This blockage interrupts the crucial process of fertilization, preventing sperm from reaching the egg and complicating the embryo's journey to the uterus for implantation. Furthermore, the inflammatory response associated with salpingitis can create a hostile environment within the reproductive tract, damaging the quality of cervical mucus necessary for sperm transport. The disease can also harm the delicate tissues of the uterus and ovaries, further compromising their functionality.

Additionally, salpingitis increases the risk of developing pelvic adhesions (abnormal tissue connections between organs) that can distort the normal anatomy of the reproductive organs. These adhesions can lead to chronic pelvic pain and increase the likelihood of ectopic pregnancies, where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. Together, these complications significantly reduce the chances of a successful pregnancy for individuals affected by salpingitis.

Early detection, timely treatment, and ongoing medical care are essential to mitigate the impact of pelvic inflammation on fertility.

Can I become pregnant if I suffer from infertility related to pelvic inflammatory disease?

For women suffering from infertility due to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), assisted reproductive technology (ART) offers a ray of hope. PIDs can create barriers to conception by causing inflammation, scarring, and blockages in the reproductive organs, affecting natural fertility.

However, advances in assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg donation, offer alternative opportunities for becoming parents. In cases of infertility related to salpingitis, IVF bypasses the compromised fallopian tubes by extracting eggs directly from the ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment. The resulting embryos are then carefully implanted in the uterus, avoiding the anatomical problems posed by salpingitis.

Egg donation further expands the options available for women experiencing infertility related to salpingitis. If a woman's eggs are compromised, she may opt for eggs from a healthy, fertile person. This allows her not only to overcome the impact of salpingitis on her eggs but also to experience pregnancy by carrying the embryo to term. The combination of IVF and egg donation has been a transformative solution for many couples struggling with infertility related to PID, providing an effective pathway to realizing the dream of starting a family. Expert counseling and personalized treatment plans are essential for successfully navigating these assisted reproductive options.

If you are facing fertility issues due to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), NatuVitro is here to provide comprehensive support and expert guidance. Our team understands the complexities of infertility related to PID and is dedicated to offering personalized solutions to help you build the family you desire. We specialize in cutting-edge assisted reproductive technologies, including advanced treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg donation.

Schedule a free consultation with NatuVitro, where our experienced professionals will assess your individual situation, discuss available treatment options, and create a personalized plan to meet your specific needs.

Take the first step to overcome infertility related to salpingitis by turning to NatuVitro, your trusted partner on the journey to motherhood.