Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a serious complication caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as other bacteria. PID refers to infections of the pelvic cavity, which includes the area in and around the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. PID is caused by bacteria, which travel up through the cervix into the uterus and the fallopian tubes. Every year, more than a million women experience an episode of PID.
There are several ways that you can develop PID. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) likeGonorrhea and Chlamydia, can sometimes lead to PID. You can also develop PID from having pelvic surgery or an abortion.
Risk Factors
Your risk for PID is higher if you are under the age of 25, have multiple sexual partners, and douche frequently. Women who have previous episodes of PID are at greater risk for future bouts of the disease.
Symptoms
Some women experience no symptoms at all when they have PID. In some cases, symptoms may be too mild to be noticed. Those who do develop symptoms experience lower abdominal pain, pain in the pelvic area, pain or bleeding during or after sex, unusual vaginal discharge, unusually heavy periods, back and/or leg pain, nausea or vomiting, fever, fatigue, or burning and pain when urinating.
Diagnosing PID
During a pelvic exam, your clinician will take samples from your cervix to test for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Your clinician will also take a sample of discharge to examine under a microscope. In addition, your clinician will perform a bimanual exam to see if your internal organs are healthy. To do that, your clinician will insert two fingers into your vagina, and with the other hand, apply pressure to your lower abdomen. Often, women with PID will feel pain during the exam.
Treating PID
PID is treated with antibiotics and rest. Women with severe cases are not treated by Tapestry Health and are referred to a private physician or an emergency department at a local hospital.
You should tell your partner(s) if you have PID. Your partner(s) should have an evaluation and also be treated to reduce your risk of being re-infected. You should not have sex until you and your partner complete treatment.
Complications
Delaying treatment can raise your risk for complications of PID. These complications may include decreased fertility, chronic PID, and ectopic pregnancy. Tapestry Health clients are not treated for complications but are referred for treatment to a gynecologist.
Return visits
Following initial treatment, you should return for a follow-up visit in three days to make sure that your infection has responded to the medication. If your abdominal or pelvic pain has worsened or persists, you should call the clinic or go the emergency department at a local hospital. You should also call or go to the hospital if you develop a temperature, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
How to Protect Against STIs and HIV/AIDS
The only way to guard against getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is not to have sex or to ave sex only with partners who you know are free of infection. If you do have sex, you should use a latex barrier, such as a male condom, afemale condom, or a dental dam, every time. Condoms provide protection against STIs, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Tapestry Health clinicians recommend using such barriers even in combination with other methods of birth control. Latex condoms are preferred to lambskin condoms for the prevention of STIs.
If you have questions about PID or STIs, talk to your clinician.
