Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

What is PID?

A general term that refers to infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes and other reproductive organs
It is a serious complication of some sexually transmitted diseases especially Chlamydia and gonorrhea

Transmission

PID occurs when bacteria moves up from the vagina or cervix into her uterus and tubes
A previous episode of PID increases the risk of another episode
The more sex partners a woman has the greater her risk of PID
Women who douche may have a higher risk of PID because douching forces bacteria into the upper reproductive tract

Diagnosis

Difficult to diagnosis because symptoms are often subtle and mild
There are no precise tests for PID and diagnosis is usually made by physical exam
The health care provider may orders tests to identify if the organism causing the infection is Chlamydia or gonorrhea
A pelvic ultrasound may also be helpful to determine if the fallopian tubes are enlarged or if an abscess is present

Prevention

The best way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain form sexual intercourse
Latex male condoms may reduce the risk of transmission of Chlamydia and gonorrhea
Get prompt treatment for any sexually transmitted diseases
The CDC recommends yearly testing for Chlamydia of all sexually active women age 26 or younger, or older women with new partners or multiple partners and those who are pregnant
Persons with genital symptoms such as an unusual sore, discharge with odor, burning with urination, bleeding between menstrual cycles should stop having sex and consult a health care provider
All sexual partners should be notified and treated
Sexual activity should not resume until all sex partners have been treated
Transmission of an STD cannot be prevented by washing the genitals, urinating, and/or douching after sex

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms may vary from none to severe
If caused by Chlamydial infection, mild symptoms or no symptoms may occur while serious damage is being done to her reproductive organs
Because PID symptoms can be vague, about 2/3 of the time the infection goes unnoticed
Common symptoms include lower abdominal pain, fever, unusual vaginal discharge that may have a foul odor, painful intercourse, painful urination, irregular menstrual bleeding

Without treatment PID can cause permanent damage to a woman’s uterus, tubes or ovaries
The bacteria invade the normal tissue of the fallopian tubes and turn the normal tissue to scar tissue
This scar tissue blocks the movement of the egg from the ovary to the uterus leaving a woman infertile
Scarring in the fallopian tubes and other pelvic structures can cause chronic pelvic pain

Treatment

Can be treated with antibiotics
Antibiotics do not reverse any damage that has already occurred to the pelvic organs
If a woman has pelvic pain, it is important to seek care immediately
Hospitalization may be necessary if the woman has nausea, vomiting, fever, pregnancy, does not respond to oral antibiotics or cannot tolerate oral antibiotics or has pus in the abdomen

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PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID)