Salpingitis is the medical name for inflammation of the fallopian tubes. It often shows up as pelvic pain and abnormal discharge and can affect fertility if left untreated. If you’ve got new pelvic pain, fever, or unusual vaginal discharge, don’t wait—get checked.
Common symptoms are easy to spot: dull or sharp lower belly pain, pain during sex, fever, chills, and unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding between periods. Some people have mild symptoms and think it’s just a bad period. That’s risky—silent cases can still damage the tubes.
Doctors diagnose salpingitis with a pelvic exam plus tests. Expect a cervical swab for STIs (like chlamydia and gonorrhea), a urine or blood pregnancy test, and sometimes an ultrasound to look for abscesses. Blood tests like a CBC or CRP can show infection. If you’re pictured as pregnant or have severe pain, clinicians move faster—sometimes with imaging or hospital care.
Treatment is antibiotics. Many times doctors start broad antibiotics that cover common bacteria, especially STI-related ones, and adjust after test results. Severe cases need IV antibiotics in hospital. If an abscess forms or antibiotics don’t work, a procedure or surgery might be needed. Important: sexual partners must be treated too, and avoid sex until the full course of antibiotics is done and symptoms are gone.
At home, rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relief help while you recover. Follow-up matters—recheck with your provider in a few days to make sure the infection is clearing. If symptoms worsen (high fever, severe pain, heavy vomiting, fainting, or signs of spreading infection), seek emergency care.
Prevention is straightforward: use condoms, get regular STI screening if you have new or multiple partners, and get quick treatment for any vaginal infections. If you’ve had an STI before, tell new partners and consider more frequent testing. Early care cuts the risk of long-term problems like chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.
Worried about fertility after salpingitis? Ask your doctor about follow-up testing and specialist referral. Many people recover fully with prompt care, but earlier treatment always gives the best outcome.
If you think you have symptoms now, book a clinic visit or call your provider. Fast action lowers complications and gets you back to normal sooner.
Chlamydia is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection that can lead to serious reproductive health issues, such as salpingitis. This article explains what chlamydia is, how it can result in salpingitis, the symptoms to watch for, and the steps one can take to prevent and treat these conditions.
