PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman's reproductive organs. The pelvis is in the lower abdomen and includes the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, the cervix and the uterus.  Usually PID is caused by bacteria from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Sometimes PID is caused by normal bacteria found in the vagina. If left untreated, PID can cause problems getting pregnant, problems during pregnancy, and long-term pelvic pain. PID affects about 10 million women each year globally.

Several different types of bacteria can cause PID, including the same bacteria that cause the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) gonorrhea and Chlamydia. What commonly occurs is that bacteria first enter the vagina and cause an infection. As time passes, this infection can move into the pelvic organs. PID can become extremely dangerous and life-threatening.

CHANCES OF HAVING PID

Your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease increases if you have a preexisting Sexually Transmitted Infection ie gonorrhea, Chlamydia etc. However, you can develop PID without ever having an STI. Other factors that can cause pelvic inflammatory disease include:

·         having sex and being under the age of 25

·         having multiple sex partners

·         having sex without a condom

·         using an intrauterine device (IUD) to prevent a pregnancy

·         douching

·         having a history of pelvic inflammatory disease

SYMPTOMS

Some women with pelvic inflammatory disease don’t have symptoms. For the women who do have symptoms, these can include:

·         pain in the lower abdomen (the most common symptom)

·         pain in the upper abdomen

·         fever

·         painful sex

·         painful urination

·         irregular bleeding

·         increased or foul-smelling vaginal discharge

·         tiredness

TREATMENT

Your doctor will prescribe some antibiotics to treat PID. Because your doctor may not know the type of bacteria that caused your infection, they may give you two different types of antibiotics to treat a variety of bacteria.

Within a few days of starting treatment, symptoms may improve or go away. It is strongly advised to finish your medication, even if you are feeling better. Stopping your medication early may cause reoccurrence.

Pelvic inflammatory disease may require surgery. This is rare most at times and only necessary if an abscess in your pelvis ruptures or the doctor suspects that an abscess will rupture. It can also be necessary if the infection does not respond to treatment.

The bacteria that cause PID can spread through sexual contact. If you are sexually active, your partner should also get treated for PID. Men may be silent carriers of bacteria that cause pelvic inflammatory disease. Your infection can recur if your partner doesn’t receive treatment. You may be asked to abstain from sexual intercourse until the infection has been resolved.

PREVENTION

You can lower your risk of PID by:

·         practicing safe sex

·         getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STI’s)

·         avoiding douches

·         wiping from front to back after using the bathroom to stop bacteria from entering your vagina