Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (Causes, Symptoms and Treatment)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman's pelvic organs. The pelvic organs include the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes (tubes), ovaries, and cervix.

Causes Of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

A woman can get PID if bacteria (germs) move up from her vagina and infect her pelvic organs. Many different types of bacteria can cause PID.

But, most cases of PID are caused by bacteria that cause 2 common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — gonorrhea  and chlamydia. It can take from a few days to a few months for an infection to travel up from the vagina to the pelvic organs.

You can get PID without having an STI. Normal bacteria found in the vagina and on the cervix can sometimes cause PID. No one is sure why this happens.

Is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Common?

Each year in the United States, more than 1 million women have an episode of PID. More than 100,000 women become infertile each year because of PID. Also, many ectopic pregnancies that occur are due to problems from PID.

Are Some Women Prone to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Yes. Women are more likely to get pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) if you:

• Are under 25 years of age and are having sex
• Have more than one sex partner
• Douche. Douching can push bacteria into the pelvic organs and cause infection. It can also hide the signs of an infection.
• Have an intrauterine device (IUD). You should get tested and treated for any infections before getting an IUD. This will lower your risk of getting pelvic inflammatory disease.
   
• Signs And Symptoms Of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease:
  
  Many women don't know they have PID because they don't have any symptoms. For women who have them, symptoms can range from mild to severe. The most common symptom of PID is pain in your lower abdomen (stomach area). Other symptoms include:
  
  
• Fever (100.4 F or higher)
• Vaginal discharge that may smell foul
• Painful sex
• Painful urination
• Irregular periods (monthly bleeding)
• Pain in the upper right abdomen

Pelvic inflammatory disease can come on fast with extreme pain and fever, especially if it's caused by gonorrhea. If you have pain in your lower abdomen (stomach area), your doctor will perform a physical exam. This will include a pelvic (internal) exam. Your doctor will check for:

• Abnormal discharge from your vagina or cervix
• Lumps called abscesses near your ovaries and Fallopian tubes
• Tenderness or pain in your pelvic organs

Diagnosis Of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

PID can be cured with antibiotics (drugs that kill bacteria). Most of the time, at least 2 antibiotics are used that work against a wide range of bacteria. Your doctor will work with you to find the best treatment for you.

You must take all your medicine, even if your symptoms go away. This helps to make sure your infection is fully cured. You should see your doctor again 2 to 3 days after starting treatment to make sure the antibiotics are working.

Without treatment, PID can lead to severe problems like infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain.

Any damage done to your pelvic organs before you start treatment likely cannot be undone. Still, don't put off getting treatment. If you do, you may not be able to have children. If you think you may have PID, see a doctor right away.

Your doctor may suggest going into the hospital to treat your PID if you:

• Are very sick
• Are pregnant
• Don't respond to or cannot swallow pills. If this is the case, you will need intravenous (in the vein or IV) antibiotics.
• Have an abscess (sore) in a Fallopian tube or ovary

If you still have symptoms or if the abscess doesn't go away after treatment, you may need surgery. Problems caused by PID, such as constant pelvic pain and scarring, are often hard to treat. But, sometimes they get better after surgery.

What if my partner is infected with pelvic inflammatory disease?

Even if your sex partner doesn't have any symptoms, she or he could still be infected with bacteria that can cause pelvic inflammatory disease. Take steps to protect yourself from being infected again.

• Encourage your sex partner(s) to get treated, even if she or he doesn't have symptoms.
• Don't have sex with a partner who hasn't been treated.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman's pelvic organs including the uterus (womb), Fallopian tubes (tubes), ovaries, and cervix.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease  develops as the result of spread of a sexually transmitted disease.
• Most cases of pelvic inflammatory disease  are caused by gonorrhea and/or Chlamydia.
• Young, sexually active women with multiple sex partners are at greatest risk for pelvic inflammatory disease .
• Pelvic inflammatory disease  many not produce any symptoms. In other cases it can cause fever, abdominal or pelvic pain, vaginal discharge, painful urination, or painful sexual intercourse.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease  is treated with antibiotics.
• Complications of untreated pelvic inflammatory disease  can include scarring of the pelvic organs and infertility.