Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, is an infection that attacks the organs in a woman’s reproductive system. This disease is almost always caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), most commonly chlamydia or gonorrhoea. PID can cause inflammation and pain in the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the cervix, or the uterus. This infection can cause fertility issues, and it can be very painful if it is not treated properly.
Symptoms of PID can show up soon after infection.
The most common cause of PID is an STI, like gonorrhoea or chlamydia. These bacteria are passed between people having unprotected sex. You can also get PID from bacteria that have entered the reproductive tract during childbirth, a miscarriage, or an abortion. Insertion of an IUD can also bring bacteria into the reproductive tract if the procedure is not done correctly.
Risk factors for PID are:
Diagnosis of PID is made through a pelvic examination. The doctor will look at the cervix and the vagina, and they will also palpate areas around the uterus and the ovaries. Signs of PID besides pain and discharge are fluid in the vagina or cervix that is not normal. The fluid can be cultured to see if gonorrhoea or chlamydia are present. Bacteria will also often show up in the sample as well.
Blood tests can be used to diagnose these conditions as well. A doctor might also do an ultrasound to get a better look at the internal organs that are impacted by the infection.
PID is treated with antibiotics. You might be given several kinds to take at the same time. The course of treatment is usually about two weeks. If you do not feel much better in three days, you should go back to your doctor to be examined again. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be taken to manage your pain, and you should rest and avoid sexual activity until your symptoms have resolved.
Prevention of PID requires practising safe sex. This means that you should limit the number of sexual partners that you have, and you should use condoms every time that you have sex. If you need support with regard to contraception, you can ask your doctor about your options to help prevent STI infection.
Always get tested for STIs if you believe that you might have been exposed via a sexual partner. If you have been diagnosed with PID, your most recent sexual partners should be notified so that they can be tested as well. Make sure that you do not douche since this can upset the bacterial balance in your vagina and lead to infections of various kinds.