Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of a woman's reproductive organs. It is a complication often caused by some STDs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea. Other infections that are not sexually transmitted can also cause PID.
What are the most common signs of PID?
You may not realize you have PID. Symptoms might be mild or unnoticeable. But symptoms of PID can also start suddenly. They can include:
● Pain or tenderness in your stomach or lower abdomen (belly), the most common symptom.
● Abnormal vaginal discharge, usually yellow or green with an unusual odor.
● Chills or fever.
● Nausea and vomiting.
● Pain during sex.
● Burning when you pee.
● Irregular periods or having spotting or cramping throughout the month.
What causes pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?
Bacteria entering your reproductive tract causes pelvic inflammatory disease. These bacteria are passed from your vagina, through your cervix and up into your uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Normally, when bacteria enter your vagina, your cervix keeps them from spreading deeper to other reproductive organs. However, any type of infection can disrupt your cervix, preventing it from doing its job.
Less commonly, PID happens when normal bacteria gets into your reproductive organs. This can happen after:
● Childbirth.
● Pelvic surgery.
● Miscarriage.
● Getting an intrauterine device (IUD). The risk is highest in the few weeks after your provider inserts an IUD.
complications of PID
The longer you have PID, the more serious its effects can become. The infection can cause scar tissue to form inside your fallopian tubes. The scarring can lead to several problems, including:
● Chronic pelvic pain: Long-lasting pelvic pain is the most common complication. One study estimates about 20% of people develop chronic pelvic pain.
● Ectopic pregnancy: Scarring can prevent a fertilized egg from moving into your uterus. This can cause it to implant
inside your fallopian tubes instead. The rate of ectopic pregnancy in people with PID is much higher than in people without PID.
● Infertility: Up to 10% of people with PID lose the ability to get pregnant because scar tissue blocks their fallopian tubes and prevents them from releasing an egg
● Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA): TOA is a pocket of infection in your pelvis that can make you extremely sick.
How is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) treated?
Your provider will prescribe antibiotics that you take by mouth, typically for 14 days. Make sure to take all your medicine, even if you start feeling better. Often, your symptoms improve before the infection goes away Your provider may recommend you return a few days after starting the medicine. They can check that treatment is working.
Some people take antibiotics and still have symptoms. If that happens, you may need to go to the hospital to receive antibiotics through an IV. You may also need IV medication if you:
● Are pregnant.
● Have a severe infection and feel very sick.
● Have an abscess (collection of pus) in your fallopian tube or ovary.
You shouldn’t have sex until you finish treatment. When you do have sex again, use condoms every time to prevent infections
When to see a doctor
See your health care provider or seek urgent medical care if you experience:
● Severe pain low in your abdomen
● Nausea and vomiting, with an inability to keep anything down
● Fever, with a temperature higher than 101 F (38 3 C)
● Foul vaginal discharge
If you have signs and symptoms of PID that aren't severe, still see your provider as soon as possible Vaginal discharge with an odor, painful urination or bleeding between periods can also be symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If these signs and symptoms occur, stop having sex and see your provider soon Prompt treatment of an STI can help prevent PID.
