Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the upper female reproductive organs. It usually happens when bacteria travel up into the uterus, fallopian tubes and/or ovaries. If left untreated, it can cause various complications.
What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the upper female reproductive organs. It occurs when bacteria travel up into the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes and ovaries.
It is more common in women less than 25 years and is commonly caused by sexually transmitted infections. The bacteria may enter the through the vagina and eventually travel up to the pelvic organs and cause an infection. PID can be treated with medications if it is detected early. it can also cause more serious complications if it is left untreated.
What causes Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
Most cases of PID are caused by a bacterial infection in the vagina or cervix than then spread higher up the reproductive tract. It is commonly due to sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. If STIs are left untreated, the infection can ascend and develop into PID within a year.
PID can also be caused by normal bacteria in the vagina travelling up into the upper reproductive organs through:
- Douching
- Insertion of an IUD
- Procedures e.g., abortion
Additionally, the same factors that may increase your risk of STIs may also increase your risk of PID. Your risk of STI may be higher if you:
- Have had PID in the past
- Have had an STI
- Are sexually active and under 25
- Have multiple sex partners
- Have sex without a condom
What are the symptoms of PID?
The symptoms of PID can be very mild and some people may not experience symptoms at all. Because of this, people may not even realize that they have it until they develop complications or have trouble getting pregnant. When symptoms are present, they may include:
- Lower abdominal pain
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Heavy periods
- Painful periods
- Pain with urination
- Bleeding between periods
- Pain during sex
- Bleeding after sex
- Fever
- If you have any of these symptoms, it is important for you to speak to your doctor immediately. Detecting and treating PID early can reduce your risk of complications.
How is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease diagnosed?
There is no single test for PID. Your doctor may diagnose PID using a combination of your symptoms, a physical examination as well as tests. These tests may include:
- A pelvic exam to check your organs
- A cervical culture to test for any bacteria
- A urine test to check for a urinary tract infection (UTI)
Other tests can involve an ultrasound scan to visualize your pelvic organs or a laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) where the doctor inserts a thin camera through small cuts in the abdomen to look at the organs and take tissue samples.
Treatment
- If diagnosed early, PID can be treated with a course of antibiotics to clear the infection. It is very important for you to take all the medications as exactly as your doctor prescribes to ensure that the infection is fully cleared.
- You may also need to be admitted in the hospital if you are really unwell or if you are pregnant.
- Since the bacteria that causes PID is mainly spread through sexual contact, your partner should also get treated for PID if you are sexually active. If your partner does not get treatment for PID, your infection may reoccur.
Preventing PID
You can reduce your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease by:
- Practicing safe sex
- Doing regular STI tests
- Avoiding douching
Complications of pelvic inflammatory disease
If left untreated, PID can lead to some serious complications such as:
- Ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy that occur outside of the womb
- Infertility
- Chronic pelvic pain due to the inflammation and scarring in the pelvic organs
You should see a doctor immediately if you think that you may have pelvic inflammatory disease.
Sources:
- https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/%20-inflammatory-disease
- https://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease-pid/
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