Pelvic Inflammatory Disease | PID Treatment Specialist in Midtown Manhattan NYC

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID) refers to an infection in the female reproductive organs. While any infection can cause PID, the condition is commonly a side effect of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) like gonorrhea or chlamydia.

Pelvic Inflammatory disease is a severe condition that, if caught early, can be successfully treated. However, untreated PID can also cause irreparable damage to your reproductive system. Even though you may thwart the spread of PID and stop the infection, PID can cause lasting damage to pelvic organs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of eight women who contract pelvic Inflammatory disease has difficulty conceiving. Signs and symptoms of PID should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by your physician for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan and careful follow-up.

If PID is left untreated, it can even lead to infertility.

Gynecologist on the Upper East Side and in Midtown of Manhattan Women’s Health & Wellness, offers comprehensive Obstetrics & Gynecology care for women of all ages. At our ob-gyn clinic, we provide a full range of gynecology services, from annual check-ups and routine pap smears to treatment of PID, and GYN procedures, surgeries performed in our office or the hospital. Our state-of-the-art Manhattan, New York gynecology facility has the latest ob-gyn equipment.

Causes and Risk Factors

Getting a sexually transmitted disease because of not using the condom is the number one cause of pelvic inflammatory disease. Untreated STDs carry severe side effects that you shouldn’t ignore. In addition to reproductive repercussions, an untreated infection can prove fatal.

In addition to lack of condom use, you’re at a greater risk of developing a PID if you:

• Start having sex before you turn 25 years old
• Have sex with someone who has multiple sex partners
• Have a history of PID and sexually transmitted diseases
• Recently had an intrauterine device or IUD inserted

Spreading Fast

While the infection may start in your vagina from contact with an infected partner, it can quickly spread to your ovaries. It can also lead to a uterus infection or a fallopian tube infection. Untreated, PID can lead to a host of complications. Scar tissue can form, and fluid can build up, leading to abscesses (a buildup of bacteria usually confined to a small space), which can cause other inflammatory disorders and complications, such as:

• Increased risk for having an ectopic pregnancy, that is, a pregnancy outside of its normal location such as the fallopian tube or near the ovary
• Chronic pelvic pain and abdominal pain can last for years. You can experience pain during sex and when you ovulate if you choose not to treat the PID.
• Increased risk of infertility
• Increased risk of developing PID again

The longer you have the pelvic inflammatory disease before getting it treated, the more damage your reproductive organs endure. Complications can occur even after your symptoms go away if you haven’t completed the treatment prescribed for you. In addition to finishing all the prescribed medication, make sure your partner has undergone therapy for STD that caused the PID. Ignoring this may increase your risk of re-infection.

Symptoms Are Sometimes Clear

Unlike other reproductive conditions like ovarian tumors or cysts, you usually have clear signs of health problems during pelvic inflammatory disease. Though many PID symptoms mimic those of a sexually transmitted infection, you should seek medical treatment right away to prevent them from turning into pelvic inflammatory disease. All symptoms should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by a physician for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. It may be a symptom or sign of a severe illness or condition.

Symptoms most commonly associated with PID include:

• Fever
• Pain or burning while urinating
• Pain while having intercourse
• Abdominal pain
• Pelvic pain
• Irregular bleeding during your period
• Heavy discharge from your vagina with a foul-smelling odor

Note that pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis are not related. Endometriosis is a condition that results in severe and excessive menstruation pain and bleeding. There’s no known cause for endometriosis, though many people wrongly attribute it to PID.

On the other hand, infections can quickly take their toll and lead to even more severe symptoms. Seek immediate emergency treatment by calling 911 if you experience the following or other concerning symptoms:

• Vomiting
• A fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• Fainting or other signs of shock
• Severe lower abdominal pains

Diagnosing PID

A pelvic exam may provide your ob-gyn doctor with clues that you have an inflamed ovary, which could result from pelvic inflammatory disease. During your visit to our OBGYN center, the doctor clearly explain your symptoms, when they started, and how severe they feel. You must be honest about your sexual partners and sexual history to get a better diagnosis.

There isn’t a specific test for pelvic inflammatory disease, but in addition to a physical exam looking for obvious signs of infection, your ob-gyn doctor may:

• Take samples of the discharge for testing
• Test your urine and cervical cultures
• Perform an ultrasound to observe your reproductive organs
• Do a biopsy of the tissue in your endometrium or ovary lining
• Use a tiny lighted camera to perform a laparoscopy through a small incision on your abdomen to get an even closer look at your sexual organs to see if any are inflamed

Treatment Options

The very first line of defense against a PID is a combination of antibiotic medications, which you may receive at your first visit. After getting the results back from the various tests taken, your doctor may ask you to return to adjust the medicine to treat a specific infection. Your doctor will most likely ask you to return in about three days so your ob-gyn doctor can check to make sure the antibiotics are working.

Having your partner checked for signs of sexually transmitted infections also is a vital part of your treatment. It’s possible that sexual partners won’t show any signs of infection and, without medical treatment, can re-infect you without even knowing it. It’s also strongly recommended that you abstain from any sexual contact until your and your partner’s treatment is complete and you’re both completely free of infection.

Hospitalization Is Rare

Most of the time, a PID can be successfully treated in the doctor’s office as long as you follow directions closely. If you are pregnant or not responding adequately to oral medications, you may need intravenous antibiotics. Rarely, surgery can be an option if the abscesses have formed and ruptured, creating additional, uncontrolled, and dangerous bleeding. You should make all treatment decisions in conjunction with your physician.

Surgery also may become necessary if you don’t respond to any precise infection-related treatments. Midtown Manhattan gynecologists may question the presence of PID and suspect more severe complications that may require surgical intervention. As long as you maintain clear and frank communications with your OBGYN, you can stay updated on your progress and any changes as they occur.

Have questions about Pelvic Inflammatory Disease? Schedule an appointment with New York City top pelvic specialist and a leading Gynecologist today.

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