Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

 

What is PID?

PID is an infection of the female reproductive organs (the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries). It is usually caused by a STD.

 

Who gets PID?

Any woman can get PID, but women who have multiple sexual partners and practice unsafe sex is most likely to get a STD, which can lead to PID.

 

How does someone get PID?

PID usually begins with an infection of the cervix (the opening to the uterus), such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia. If the infection of the cervix is not treated with antibiotics, it can spread to the endometrium (lining of the uterus), and then to the fallopian tubes, uterus, ovaries, and abdomen.

 

PID rarely can occur after having certain surgical procedures, such as an abortion, or after treatment for an abnormal Pap smear.

 

What are the symptoms of PID?

A woman with PID may not always have symptoms. However, the symptoms of PID can include:

• Lower abdominal pain and/or lower back pain
• Longer and/or heavier menstrual periods
• Cramps or spotting throughout the month
• Unusual vaginal discharge (change in smell, color, or amount)
• Tiredness, weakness
• Fever
• Vomiting, nausea
• Pain during sex
• Pain or burning when urinating

If you notice any symptoms of PID, you should see your health care provider right away. The infection can spread higher and cause worse pain and damage to your reproductive organs in just a day or two.

 

How is PID diagnosed?

Your health care provider can tell if you have PID based on your symptoms, a pelvic exam, and blood tests. You will have tenderness when your health care provider moves your cervix or examines your ovaries or uterus. Sometimes an ultrasound (a test that uses sound waves, without radiation) is used to look inside at your reproductive organs. Sometimes a laparoscopy (a minor surgery to look at your reproductive organs) will be needed to correctly diagnose PID if you are not getting better.

 

How is PID treated?

Depending on how sick you are, you may be treated either in a hospital or as an outpatient (just come in for appointments). If your health care provider feels you need to be hospitalized, you will receive antibiotics through your vein (intravenous (IV)) and by mouth until you feel better. After leaving the hospital, you will have to take antibiotics by mouth for a total of 2 weeks.

If you are treated as an outpatient, you may receive a shot and then have to take antibiotics by mouth for 2 weeks. It is very important to take all of the pills, or you could get sicker and need to go to the hospital. A few days after you start taking medicine, you will need to see your health care provider again. If you don't get better, you may need to have more tests and/or go into the hospital to get stronger medicine.

 

If you find out you have PID, you need to make sure your partner(s) get(s) tested and treated for gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Your partner(s) must be treated for both kinds of STDs no matter what your test results or his test results show. Unless your partner is treated at the same time as you, you may get infected again.

 

Is PID dangerous?

PID can be dangerous if not treated early. Scar tissue can form in the fallopian tubes and inside the abdomen. These scars can block the fallopian tubes, which can cause difficulty getting pregnant or infertility (meaning you can't have children). If the tubes are partly blocked, fertilized eggs may not reach the uterus and the pregnancy can form in the fallopian tubes (known as a tubal or ectopic pregnancy). Scarring can cause pain that lasts for months or even years. If the effects of PID are very severe, surgery may be needed to remove pus, scar tissue, or damaged organs. PID is more likely to come back if you get a STD again. Also, the more times you have PID, the more likely you are to have problems and more damage to your body.

 

How can PID be prevented?

To prevent PID, you need to avoid getting a STD. The best ways to do this are:

• Don't have sex, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
• If you do have sex, use a latex condom (polyurethane if allergic to latex) correctly every time.
• Limit the number of sexual partners you have.
• Don't use douches. Douches can spread the bacteria further up the vagina.
• Don't smoke cigarettes.
• Finish all your antibiotics if you are being treated for a cervical infection or PID.
• Make sure all your partners get treated for STDs.

Remember, if you have any symptoms of an STD or PID, see your health care provider right away. Stop having sexual contact until you have finished treatment and your health care provider says it's okay.

Written by the Center for Young Women's Health Staff

 

Updated 10/13/2005

 

Related Information:

• STDs: General Information
• Contraception/Birth Control
• Making Healthy Sexual Decisions
• Related Links

 

 

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