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Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a female reproductive organ illness. It usually happens when bacteria from your vagina move to your uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries.
Pelvic inflammatory disease symptoms might be modest or severe. Some women have no signs or symptoms at all. As a result, you may be unaware you have it until you have difficulty getting pregnant or experience chronic pelvic pain.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PID?
The symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease may be minor and difficult to detect. Some women have no signs or symptoms. When PID signs and symptoms are present, they frequently include:
- Mild to severe pain in your lower abdomen and pelvic region
- Pain while having sex
- Fever, occasionally accompanied by chills
- Unusual or excessive vaginal discharge with a disagreeable odor
- Unusual vaginal bleeding, particularly before or after intercourse or between periods
- Urination that is painful, frequent, or difficult
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
Consult your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Severe discomfort in your lower abdomen
- Vomiting and nausea, as well as an inability to keep anything down
- Fever with a temperature of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 C)
- Vaginal discharge that smells bad
Even if your PID symptoms aren't severe, you should still see your provider as soon as possible. A sexually transmitted infection can also cause odorous vaginal discharge, uncomfortable urination, or bleeding between periods (STI). If you see any of these signs and symptoms, stop having sex and visit your doctor as soon as possible. Prompt treatment of a STI can aid in the prevention of PID.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF PID?
PID can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, the most frequent of which being gonorrhea or chlamydia infections. These microorganisms are typically picked up during unprotected intercourse.
Bacteria can access your reproductive tract less frequently if the usual barrier produced by the cervix is disrupted. This can occur during menstruation, childbirth, miscarriage, or abortion. Bacteria can also enter the reproductive system by the implantation of an intrauterine device (IUD), a method of long-term birth control, or any medical therapy that involves the insertion of equipment into the uterus.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR PID?
A variety of factors may raise your chances of developing pelvic inflammatory disease, including:
- Being sexually active and under the age of 25
- Having several sexual partners
- Being sexually involved with someone who has more than one sex partner
- Having intercourse without the use of a condom
- Douching on a frequent basis, which disrupts the balance of beneficial vs harmful bacteria in the vagina and may disguise symptoms.
- Possession of a history of pelvic inflammatory illness or a sexually transmitted infection
There is a slight increase in the risk of PID following the installation of an intrauterine device (IUD). This risk is often limited to the first three weeks following installation.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF PID?
If left untreated, pelvic inflammatory illness can lead to scar tissue and pockets of infected fluid (abscesses) in the reproductive system. These can permanently harm the reproductive organs.
This injury may result in the following complications:
- Ectopic pregnancy: PID is a significant contributor to tubal (ectopic) pregnancy. When untreated PID causes scar tissue to form in the fallopian tubes, an ectopic pregnancy can ensue. The scar tissue blocks the fertilized egg from passing through the fallopian tube and implanting in the uterus. The egg instead implants in the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancies can result in severe, life-threatening bleeding and necessitate immediate medical intervention.
- Infertility: Infertility – the inability to become pregnant — can be caused by damage to your reproductive organs. The more PID you've had, the higher your chances of infertility. Delaying treatment for PID also raises your chances of infertility.
- Chronic pelvic pain: Pelvic inflammatory illness can cause chronic pelvic pain that lasts months or years. Scarring in your fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs can cause pain during ovulation and intercourse.
- Tubo-ovarian abscess: PID may result in the formation of an abscess — a collection of pus — in your reproductive system. Abscesses most usually affect the fallopian tubes and ovaries, although they can also form in the uterus or other pelvic organs. If an abscess is not treated, it can lead to a potentially fatal infection.
HOW IS PID DIAGNOSED?
There is no single test that can reliably detect pelvic inflammatory disease. Instead, your doctor will rely on a combination of information from:
- Your medical history: Your provider would most likely inquire about your sexual behavior, history of sexually transmitted illnesses, and birth control strategy.
- Symptoms and signs: Inform your provider of any symptoms you are experiencing, no matter how little.
- A pelvic examination: During the exam, your provider will look for pain and edema in your pelvic region. Your provider may also obtain fluid samples from your vagina and cervix with cotton swabs. The samples will be analyzed in a lab for symptoms of illness as well as organisms like gonorrhea and chlamydia.
- Urine and blood tests: These tests can be used to screen for pregnancy, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections, as well as to assess white blood cell counts and other signs of infection or inflammation.
- Ultrasound: Sound waves are used in this procedure to make images of your reproductive organs.
If the diagnosis remains ambiguous, you may require more tests, such as:
- Laparoscopy: Your provider will introduce a tiny, illuminated tool via a small incision in your abdomen to observe your pelvic organs during this operation.
- Endometrial biopsy: Your clinician will inject a tiny tube into the uterus to remove a small sample of endometrial tissue during this treatment. The tissue is examined for indications of infection and inflammation.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR PID?
Prompt medical treatment can eliminate the infection that causes pelvic inflammatory disease. However, there is no way to repair any scarring or damage to the reproductive system produced by PID. The following are the most common PID treatments:
- Antibiotics: Your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics to begin as soon as possible. Following the findings of your lab tests, your provider may change your medication to better match what's causing the infection. After three days, you should contact your provider to ensure if the medication is effective. Take all of your medication as directed, even if you begin to feel better after a few days.
- Treatment for your partner: Your sexual partner or partners should be evaluated and treated to avoid reinfection with a STI. Infected partners may not exhibit any symptoms.
- Temporary abstinence: Avoid sexual activity until your treatment is finished and your symptoms have subsided.
You may require hospitalization if you are pregnant, extremely unwell, have a suspected abscess, or have not responded to oral treatments. You may be given antibiotics intravenously, followed by antibiotics taken orally.
Surgery is almost never required. Your physician may drain an abscess if it ruptures or threatens to rupture. Surgery may also be required if you do not react to antibiotics or have a doubtful diagnosis, such as when one or more of the signs or symptoms of PID are absent.
HOW CAN PID BE PREVENTED?
To lower your chances of developing pelvic inflammatory disease, do the following:
- Practice safe sex: Use condoms whenever you have sex, restrict the number of partners you have, and inquire about a potential partner's sexual history.
- Consult with your doctor about contraception: Many kinds of contraception are ineffective in preventing the development of PID. Using barrier techniques, like as a condom, can help lower your risk. Even if you use birth control pills, use a condom whenever you have sex with a new partner to avoid STIs.
- Get tested: Make an appointment with your provider for testing if you suspect you have a STI. If necessary, work with your physician to establish a regular screening plan. Early treatment of a STI increases your chances of avoiding PID.
- Make a request for your partner to be tested: If you have pelvic inflammatory disease or a STI, recommend that your spouse be tested and treated. This can help to prevent the transmission of STIs and the recurrence of PID.
- Don't douche: Douching disrupts the bacterial balance in your vagina.