Patient's question:
Hello doctor, I have some questions I would like to ask you. I have been with my boyfriend for 3 years, and we have been having sex for over 2 years. However, recently I have been feeling uncomfortable and unwell. When I went to the hospital for a check-up, the doctor said I had gynecological inflammation and advised me to pay more attention to the cleanliness of my private area. He suggested I rest more at home, take some anti-inflammatory and gynecological medications, and everything would be fine.Doctor's answer:
1. Intrauterine device (IUD) – Poor personal hygiene provides an easy entry for bacteria. It is important to note that the insertion of an IUD itself does not directly cause acute adnexitis; inflammation only occurs if strict sterile procedures are not followed during insertion or if personal hygiene is poor afterward.2. "Breaking the red light" – Sexual intercourse during menstruation introduces bacteria. Menstrual intercourse is not only a trigger for acute adnexitis but also a common cause of other gynecological infections.
3. Childbirth or miscarriage – Weakened immunity allows pathogens to travel upward through the reproductive tract, spreading to the fallopian tubes and ovaries, and eventually affecting the entire pelvic cavity.
4. Sexually transmitted infections – Pathogenic bacteria spread upward along the mucous membranes, causing infection and inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
5. Prolonged sitting – Lack of movement leads to poor blood circulation, particularly in the lower limbs, causing venous reflux obstruction. Due to the unique anatomical structure of the pelvic cavity, blood circulation is even more impaired, affecting the normal detoxification function of the uterine appendages. If other factors are present, inflammation is easily triggered.
6. Wearing tight pants frequently – Poor ventilation in the perineal area allows vaginal secretions to accumulate, leading to inflammation and potentially triggering adnexitis.
7. Unscientific external genital cleaning – For example, washing the anus before the vulva can introduce bacteria from the rectum into the vagina. During menstruation, using a bathtub can also allow pathogens to travel upward into the internal reproductive organs. Some people mistakenly believe that rinsing the vulva with plain water is safest, even using hot water to soothe itching afterward. In reality, the vulva, like the mouth, is susceptible to bacterial invasion. Saliva and vaginal secretions have self-cleaning functions, and the mouth is no dirtier than the vagina—we still brush our teeth twice a day. Similarly, the private area requires daily care. A female care solution with a pH 4 weak acid formula is more suitable, as it maintains the natural self-cleaning function of the vulva.
8. Other causes – Untreated latent infections in other parts of the body can allow pathogens to spread through the bloodstream to the fallopian tubes and ovaries, with tuberculous infections being the most common. Inflammation can also occur if nearby pelvic or fallopian tube organs, such as the appendix, become infected, affecting the abdominal and pelvic cavities. This type of inflammation is usually limited to one side of the fallopian tube and ovary. Pathogens from sexually transmitted infections can also enter the reproductive tract through non-sexual means, such as using a bathtub or towel that has been used by an infected person without knowledge.