Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

(PID)

General Information

PID, or salpingitis, is the most common infection involving a woman's reproductive system including the fallopian tubes and/or ovaries.  PID is often caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that goes untreated.  1 in 7 women report having been treated for PID during their reproductive years.

Symptoms

Although many women have NO symptoms, one or more of the following may indicate PID:

• Abdominal pain or tenderness

• Lower back or leg pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Profuse bleeding during menstruation, increased cramps, or irregular menstrual cycles
• Vaginal bleeding at times other than menstruation
• Abnormal/foul vaginal discharge
• Burning, frequent urination, or inability to empty bladder completely
• Nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting
• Chills, fever, weakness, tiredness, or depression

 Who is at risk?

• Young, sexually active women have the highest rates of PID but any woman who is sexually active may be at risk.
• The more partners you have, the higher your risk for contracting an STI, a major cause of PID.
• Having a partner who has an STI increases your risk of PID.
• Not consistently practicing safe sex increases your risk.
• Women who have an IUD are not only not protected against infections and PID, but are also at a greater risk of developing an infection if exposed to one.

 Possible Complications

If left untreated, PID can cause permanent damage to the reproductive system: 

• Scar tissue can form inside the fallopian tubes resulting in infertility.
• Formation of scar tissue can increase the risk of a potentially life threatening Ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that forms in the fallopian tubes rather than the uterus).

 Prevention

Women who have had PID once are at greater risk of developing this condition again.  Prevention of PID is like prevention of infections since it is often caused by the same sexually transmitted organisms. 

• Know the signs and symptoms of STIs and avoid sexual contact with any partner if you see sores, rashes, or discharge.
• When diagnosed with an STI, treat promptly and according to your clinician’s directions.
• Always practice safe sex:
• Have your partner(s) tested for STIs before becoming sexually intimate.
• Use barrier methods such as condoms, spermicides, the sponge, diaphragms, and cervical caps, which can offer some protection against STIs.
• Birth control pills DO NOT offer protection against STIs. 

Testing

Diagnosis of PID is based on:

• In-depth medical and sexual history
• Pelvic examination and laboratory tests 

Treatment

PID can usually be treated on an out-patient basis, although in severe cases hospitalization may be recommended.

• Antibiotics are used to treat the infection that caused PID.   
• You should abstain from intercourse during the time that you are being treated for PID so that your body has a chance to heal completely and further damage is prevented. 
• Continue to abstain or use condoms until you have had your 6-week follow-up test called the “test of cure.”  This test will indicate whether the treatment was successful.