A follicle matures and is released as an egg during ovulation, and sometimes leaves behind a small amount of fluid in the pelvic cavity. This is known as free fluid after follicle rupture, a natural occurrence in the reproductive cycle.
In most cases, this fluid gets absorbed by the body. However, excessive fluid or persistent discomfort could indicate underlying conditions that may require medical attention. Keep exploring the following sections to identify why free fluid occurs and when to seek medical help.
Is free fluid in the follicle normal?
Free fluids in the pelvis, uterus, and abdomen are absolutely normal because a woman’s body mostly reabsorbs the free fluid without any special treatment or extra care. However, free fluid accumulation can be a huge concern when they are not absorbed by the body and is accompanied by blood and pain in the abdomen region. In this instance, free fluid in your body is common, but when can a woman expect free fluids?
Free fluid after follicle rupture
In general, free fluids after follicle rupture are common and you can expect the fluids in the uterus every month during the ovulation phase. But why this happens? Every month a woman’s body releases an egg and the ovarian follicle ruptures to release an egg, which is menstruation.
During this period, a small amount of fluids will be released into the pelvic cavity, particularly in the pouch of Douglas. Sometimes, a small amount of blood will also released during ovulation, still, it is not a harmful thing to worry about and fluids will be reabsorbed. Therefore, women can expect free fluids after follicle rupture.
As stated earlier, some other reasons can also cause free fluids after follicle rupture and some could be very serious. Let’s learn what other reasons can cause free fluids in ovaries.
What are the possible causes of free fluid in ovaries?
Ruptured ovarian cysts
Some women’s bodies develop ovarian cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs that form on or inside the ovaries. Similar to follicle rupture, there is a chance for this cyst to rupture and leakage of fluids into the pelvic cavity. The severity depends on the size of the cysts and the volume of fluid released.
Pelvic inflammatory disease
PID is a bacterial infection that almost affects every important reproductive part including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This may lead to pus and fluid accumulation in the pelvic cavity and immediate medical treatment is highly important to prevent scarring and infertility.
Ascites
This is a condition where you can experience fluid accumulation in the pelvic and abdominal cavities. This condition is caused by liver disease, heart failure, and cancer. When the free fluid accumulation is because of ascites, women can experience discomfort, swelling, etc, so immediate medical treatment is very important.
Trauma or injury
Accidents and sports injuries can also lead to blood or fluid leakage into the pelvic cavity. Some severe cases may require medical interventions. In addition, Post-surgical complications can also cause free fluids in the pelvis and excessive fluid may indicate internal bleeding or infection.
Ectopic pregnancy
It occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus instead of fallopian tubes. This is actually a medical emergency condition, because growing a fetus outside the uterus may result in miscarriage.
What can you do for free fluid in the pelvis?
Look for symptoms
Accumulation of free fluids can be identified through symptoms such as sharp, sudden or persistent pelvic pain, abdominal bloating or swelling, fever, signs of infections, irregular menstrual cycles, vomiting, and nausea.
Seek medical help
The doctors diagnose the pelvic free fluid by taking blood tests, pelvic ultrasound, and CT scan or MRI scan. These tests detect pelvic free fluid, infections, tumours, trauma, inflammation, and other underlying health issues.
Available pelvic free fluid treatments are medications, surgical interventions, and lifestyle modifications.
Preventions
Following these preventive measures can also help you overcome issues because of pelvis-free fluids. Even though you implement these tips, women should prioritize consulting the healthcare provider.
Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle habits to support kidney and liver function. Manage underlying conditions like liver disease, heart failure, etc, to prevent complications. Practice safe sex to reduce the risks of infections and schedule regular medical checkups for enhanced monitoring of reproductive health.
Final words
Hope this article helps you get clarity on what free fluids are and how follicle rupture and free fluids are interconnected. This happens when a female’s body releases an egg during ovulation. Therefore, you don’t want to panic until you experience worse pain or any of the mentioned symptoms. When you’re in the ovulation, menstruation, or pregnancy phase and identify such symptoms, then immediate doctor consultation helps improve your health.
People also ask
The free fluid in the pelvis may indicate ovulation or follicle rupture. It happens when your body pushes the matured egg into the pelvic cavity and during this phase, the body may release blood or serous fluid and is common during follicle rupture.
Typically, free fluid in the uterus around the ovulation is not a concern. But, the problem begins when the little amount of fluid contains blood or pus and also it causes pain. So, the moderate or small amount of free fluid in the uterus is not a concern.
The lifespan of a ruptured follicle is from 12 to 24 hours. The released eggs are viable for a day and successful fertilization takes place when sperm meet the egg within this duration.
