Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection and inflammation of a women pelvic organs including the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and cervix. Pelvic inflammatory Disease usually develops as a result of the spread of a sexually transmitted disease.

Most cases of PID are caused by Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Trachomatis, and Tuberculosis.

Complications of untreated Pelvic Inflammatory Disease can include scar tissue, swelling of tubes, hydrosalpinx, pyosalpinx, enteric fever, and a burst appendix.

Causes of PID

Several types of bacteria could lead to PID, of which the most common are gonorrhea or chlamydia infections. These bacteria are transmitted from one partner to another during unprotected sex.

Bacteria can also enter the reproductive tract at any time and disturb the natural barrier that the cervix creates. This is most common after childbirth and during menstruation, abortion or miscarriage.

Usually, bacteria enter the reproductive tract when an IUD is inserted into the uterus.

Risk Factors

The factors that can increase your risk of PID are:

• Having a history of a sexually transmitted disease or PID
• Being under 25 years of age and sexually active
• Having several sexual partners
• Having a bisexual partner who has several sex partners
• Having unprotected sex
• Douching frequently

Symptoms

Not always can PID be detected in women because the symptoms are often very mild, and sometimes women don’t display any symptoms at all.

However, when present, the symptoms of PID include:

• Mild to severe pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis.
• Painful sex
• Heavy vaginal discharge with an unpleasant smell
• Frequent, painful, or difficult urination
• Unusual vaginal bleeding, during or after sex, or between periods
• Fever with chills

Treatment for PID

PID can be treated in these ways:

• Antibiotics: Your doctor will start you off on antibiotics.
• Treating Your Partner: To prevent reinfection with a sexually transmitted infection, both partners should undergo a thorough medical exam.
• Keep Away from Sex: Abstain from sexual intercourse until you are permanently cured