Sexually Transmitted Infections
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
What is PID?
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a general term for an infection involving the upper female reproductive organs. The infection may affect the uterus, fallopian tubes and/or the ovaries.
What causes PID?
PID is most commonly caused by Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), specifically chlamydia and gonorrhea, which can be passed from person to person during sexual activity. Sometimes, PID can also be caused by organisms that are normally found in the vagina. If you are sexually active, the best ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections are to get tested with your partner, and to use condoms each and every time you have sex.
What are the symptoms of PID?
PID can cause a wide variety of symptoms, which are often mild or subtle. These symptoms may include:
- Pain in your lower abdomen (most common symptom)
- Pain during sex
- Abnormal menstrual bleeding
- New vaginal discharge, possibly with a bad smell
- Pain when you go to the bathroom
- Fevers and chills
How does a doctor test for PID?
To test for PID, your doctor or nurse will ask you about your symptoms, perform a physical examination, and may perform laboratory tests, an ultrasound or a laparoscopy. (A laparoscopy is an operation that uses a scope to look inside your abdomen).
If PID is suspected, a physical exam will involve a speculum examination and cervical swabs to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea. These tests are similar to the tests done when getting a pap smear. Your reproductive organs may also be felt to look for any areas of tenderness, and you may be given a blood test to rule out pregnancy and to identify potential infection. Finally, an ultrasound is usually done to rule out other possible causes.
These tests can help to confirm that you have PID, but the only way to be sure is to have a laparoscopy. A laparoscopy is an operation in which your doctor uses a special instrument called a laparoscope to look inside of your abdomen.
How is PID treated?
Because PID can be caused by several different types of bacteria, it is usually treated using two or three different antibiotics. The exact treatment depends on how serious the infection is, but mild cases are usually treated with 2 weeks of oral antibiotics.
More serious cases may require checking into a hospital for at least a few days, so doctors can give you antibiotics directly into your bloodstream. Sometimes, surgery may be needed to help diagnose or treat PID.
Impact if not treated
It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Without treatment, PID can lead to permanent damage of the reproductive organs. This can lead to infertility, long-term pelvic pain, or an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (a serious condition in which the baby begins to develop outside of the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube).
What to tell your partner
You should inform any male partner you have sexual contact with during the 60 days before your symptoms started. This is important because even though your partner may not have any symptoms, the infection may still be present and you can be re-infected. Your partner should also seek health care to be treated for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
When can I have sex again?
Ask your healthcare provider. It can depend on how serious your infection is and the type of treatment you receive. Generally it will be safe to have sex 1-2 weeks after both you and your partner have completed antibiotic treatment, provided that all of your symptoms have disappeared. Some specialists may recommend that you get retested for chlamydia and gonorrhea 4-6 weeks after treatment to make sure that both you and your partner have been completely cured.
As always, you should use condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections, but it is particularly important following treatment of PID so that you do not become re-infected.
IUD’s
Women who have an Intra-Uterine Device (IUD) inserted are at a slightly increased risk of developing PID within the first 3 weeks after insertion, but PID is uncommon afterwards. This risk can be decreased by being tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea, and treated if necessary, before the IUD is inserted.
Last Modified: May 8, 2007
