Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Description

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. It most often occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria spread from your vagina to your uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries.

The signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease can be subtle or mild. Some women do not experience any symptoms. As a result, you may not realize you have it until they have trouble getting pregnant or if you develop chronic pelvic pain.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease may be mild and difficult to recognize. Some women have no signs or symptoms. When the signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) are present, most of the times include:

  • Pain — ranging from mild to severe, in the lower part of the abdomen and pelvis
  • Unusual or heavy vaginal discharge that may have an unpleasant odor
  • Unusual bleeding from the vagina, especially during or after intercourse, or between periods
  • Pain during sex
  • Fever, sometimes with chills
  • Painful, frequent or difficult urination

When to see a doctor

Talk to your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you experience:

  • Severe pain in the lower part of the abdomen
  • Nausea and vomiting, with an inability to retain anything
  • Fever, with a temperature of 101 F (38.3 C)
  • Lack of vaginal discharge

If you have signs and symptoms of PID that are not severe, yet see your doctor as soon as possible. Vaginal discharge with an odor, painful urination or bleeding between periods can also be symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If these signs and symptoms, stop having sex and consult your provider soon. The early treatment of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can help prevent PID .

Causes

Many types of bacteria can cause PID , but gonorrhea or chlamydia infections are the most common. These bacteria are usually acquired during sexual intercourse without protection.

Less commonly, the bacteria can get into your reproductive tract at any time of the normal to the barrier created by the cervix is disturbed. This can happen during menstruation and after childbirth, miscarriage or abortion. Rarely, the bacteria can also enter the reproductive tract during the insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) — a long-term form of birth control or any medical procedure that involves the insertion of instruments into the uterus.

Risk factors

A number of factors can increase your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, including:

  • Being sexually active and under 25 years of age
  • Having multiple sexual partners.
  • To be in a sexual relationship with someone who has more than one sexual partner
  • Having sex without a condom
  • Douching regularly, which alters the balance of good vs. bad bacteria in the vagina and can mask the symptoms
  • Having a history of pelvic inflammatory disease or sexually transmitted infection

There is a small increase in the risk of PID after insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD). This risk is usually confined to the first three weeks after insertion.

Complications

Untreated pelvic inflammatory disease can cause scarring of tissue and bags of infected fluid (abscesses) to develop in the reproductive tract. These may cause permanent damage to the reproductive organs.

The complications of this damage could include:

  • Ectopic pregnancy. The EPI is one of the main causes of tubal (ectopic) pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy can occur when there is no treatment PID has caused scar tissue to develop in the fallopian tubes. The scar tissue prevents the fertilized egg to make its way through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus. Instead, the egg is implanted in the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancies can cause massive, life-threatening bleeding and requires emergency medical attention.
  • The infertility. The damage to their reproductive organs, it can cause infertility-the inability to become pregnant. The more times you've had PID , the greater is your risk of infertility. The delay in the treatment of EPI also dramatically increases the risk of infertility.
  • Chronic pelvic pain. Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause pelvic pain that may last for months or years. Scarring in the fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs can cause pain during intercourse and ovulation.
  • Tubo-ovarian abscess. The PID can cause an abscess is a collection of pus — forming in your reproductive tract. Most commonly, abscesses affect the fallopian tubes and the ovaries, but also can develop in the uterus or other pelvic organs. If an abscess is left untreated, you could develop a life-threatening infection.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease:

  • The practice of safe sex. Use condoms every time you have sex, to limit the number of partners and ask about a potential partner's sexual history.
  • Talk with your health care provider about contraception. Many forms of contraception do not protect against the development of PID . The use of barrier methods, such as condoms, help reduce your risk. Even if you take birth control pills, the use of a condom every time you have sex with a new partner to protect against STIS s.
  • Get tested. If you are at risk of contracting an STI , make an appointment with your provider for testing. Establish a regular testing schedule with your provider if necessary. Principles of treatment of an STI gives you the best chance to prevent PID .
  • Request that your partner be tested. If you have pelvic inflammatory disease or an STI , advise your partner to be tested and treated. This can prevent the spread of STI's, and the possible recurrence of the DISEASE .
  • Do not use douches. Douching disrupts the balance of bacteria in the vagina.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Diagnosis

There is No one test that can accurately diagnose pelvic inflammatory disease. Instead, your health care provider based on a combination of the results:

  • His medical history. Your healthcare provider will probably ask about your sexual habits, history of sexually transmitted infections and the method of birth control.
  • The signs and symptoms. Tell your doctor about the symptoms you are experiencing, even if they are of a mild nature.
  • A pelvic examination. During the exam, your doctor will monitor your pelvic region to the tenderness and swelling. Your provider may also use cotton swabs to take samples of fluid from your vagina and cervix. The samples will be tested in a laboratory for signs of infection and organisms such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.
  • Blood and urine tests. These tests may be used to test for pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other sexually transmitted infections, or to measure the white blood cell count, or other markers of infection or inflammation.
  • Ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to create images of your reproductive organs.

If the diagnosis is not yet clear, you may need additional testing, such as:

  • The laparoscopy. During this procedure, the doctor inserts a thin, lighted instrument through a small incision in the abdomen to view your pelvic organs.
  • The biopsy of the endometrium. During this procedure, the doctor inserts a thin tube into the uterus to remove a small sample of endometrial tissue. The tissue is tested for signs of infection and inflammation.

Treatment

Prompt treatment with medications can get rid of the infection that causes pelvic inflammatory disease. But there is no way to reverse any scarring or damage to the reproductive tract of the pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may have caused. The treatment of the PPE most often includes:

  • Antibiotics. Your health care provider will prescribe a combination of antibiotics to get started right away. After the receipt of laboratory test results, your doctor may adjust your recipe to match better with what is causing the infection. It is likely that you follow up with your provider after three days, to make sure that the treatment is working. Be sure to take your medication, even if you begin to feel better after a few days.
  • The treatment for your partner. To prevent re-infection with a sexually transmitted infection (STI), your sexual partner or partners should be examined and treated. An infected person may not have any noticeable symptoms.
  • Temporary abstinence. Avoid sexual intercourse until treatment is completed and the symptoms have resolved.

If you are pregnant, seriously ill, has a suspected abscess or have not responded to oral medications, you may need hospitalization. You may receive antibiotics intravenously, followed by antibiotics that you take by mouth.

Surgery is rarely needed. However, if an abscess ruptures or threat of rupture, your doctor may drain. You may also need surgery if you do not respond to antibiotic treatment or have a questionable diagnosis, such as when one or more of the signs or symptoms of PID are absent.

Coping and support

Pelvic inflammatory disease may make it difficult or stressful feelings. You may be dealing with the diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection, and possible infertility or chronic pain. To help deal with the ups and downs of their diagnosis, consider the following strategies:

  • Get treatment. PID is most often caused by a sexually transmitted infection. Finding out you have an STI may be traumatic for you or your partner. However, you and your partner should seek treatment immediately to reduce the severity of PID and to prevent re-infection.
  • Be prepared. If you have experienced more than one episode of pelvic inflammatory disease, you are at greater risk of infertility. If you have been trying to get pregnant without success, to make an appointment for an infertility evaluation. Ask your provider to explain the steps for infertility testing and treatment. Understanding the process can help to reduce anxiety.
  • Seek support. Although sexual health, infertility and chronic pain can be deeply personal problems, comes to your partner, family or close friends, or a professional support. Many online support groups allow you to maintain your anonymity while you discuss your concerns.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have signs or symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease, make an appointment to see your health care provider.

Here's a little bit of information about what you can do to prepare and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time of making the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do beforehand.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Write questions to ask their provider.

Some basic questions to ask include:

  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • This is a sexually transmitted infection?
  • In the event that my partner to be tested, or treatment?
  • Should I stop having sex during the treatment? How long should I wait?
  • How can I prevent future episodes of pelvic inflammatory disease?
  • Will this affect my ability to get pregnant?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
  • Can I be treated at home? Or do I have to go to a hospital?
  • Do you have any printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?
  • I need to go back for a follow up visit?

What to expect from your doctor

Be prepared to answer a series of questions, such as:

  • Do you have a new sexual partner or multiple partners?
  • Do you always use condoms?
  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • You are experiencing some pelvic pain?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)