Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a chronic infection the most common and serious complication of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among women.

It affects the womb, the tubes which deliver eggs to the womb and the nearby structures in the lower abdomen. The ovaries are also involved sometimes. Bacteria and other micro-organisms can make their way through the vagina and through the cervix into the internal reproductive organs.

A bacterial infection can cause inflammation in these organs and also in their surroundings. This infection most commonly occurs in the Fallopian tubes. Pelvic inflammatory disease can damage the fallopian tubes and make it difficult to become pregnant.

The pelvic inflammatory disease is caused by the disease-causing organisms migrating upward from the urethra and cervix into the upper genital tract. The germ that is most commonly responsible for PID is Chlamydia which is transmitted sexually.

Gonorrhoea, another germ, is also a fairly common cause. Both germs may be responsible together. Various other germs are sometimes also involved. In a few women, PID may also result from a termination of pregnancy or following childbirth.

Occasionally, it may be the result of having sex with a new partner. But at times, no specific reason can be found.
Symptoms of pelvic infection can be very subtle and mild or it can also occur with a sudden beginning of moderate to severe pain. Symptoms vary in different women.

Mostly, there is pain or cramps in the lower part of the abdomen. This pain is usually reported by the patients as the first signs of this infection. Occasionally, there is pain in the upper abdomen too. Monthly periods may be altered with the pain.

Some women suffering from PID also suffer from irregular vaginal spotting and bleeding; or vaginal discharge which is yellow or green, thick and foul smelling. Some women have pain during sex. A small percentage of sufferers may develop scarred fallopian tubes, which can cause difficulties with falling pregnant i.e. conceiving in the future.

When PID is caused by chlamydial infection, it may produce only minor symptoms or no symptoms at all, even though it can seriously damage the reproductive organs.
PID is often difficult to diagnose.

If symptoms such as lower abdominal pain are there, then the doctor performs a physical examination to determine the nature and location of pain. A description of symptoms, sexual and menstrual history is taken. A specimen of mucus inside vagina and just inside the neck of the womb may be taken and this is sent to the laboratory to look for microbes.

The doctor may also suggest an ultrasound scan to see the womb and the egg producing organns i.e. ovaries and other organs in the pelvis in detail. If, during the pelvic examination, the doctor detects tenderness and perhaps even a lump just next to the uterus, then PID is a possible cause.

Pelvic inflammatory disease is usually treated by using antibiotics. These antibiotics can be given in various forms, such as oral or through injection. Sometimes, the severity of the infection requires hospitalization and treatment with intravenous medications.

Sometimes, the symptoms go away even before the infection is cured, therefore it is important for the patient to take the medicines as prescribed by the doctor and not to stop them unless told by the doctor to do so. Women should also abstain from sexual intercourse until she is done with all the medications and all follow-up examinations are normal.

Many women may also have sex partners having no symptoms but infected with germs that cause PID. Because of this, they should also get their partners treated even if they do not have any symptoms.

Women who have recurrent episodes of PID are more likely than women with a single episode to suffer scarring of the tubes which leads to infertility, tubal pregnancy, or chronic pelvic pain.

A woman who has had PID is at an increased risk of getting tubal pregnancy. Untreated PID can also cause chronic pelvic pain and scarring in about twenty percent of patients. These conditions are often difficult to treat but can be sometimes improved with surgery.

Women can reduce the risk of pelvic infection by limiting the number of their sexual partners, and by consistently using condoms even when other methods of contraception are being used.

All sexually active teens and young adult women should be screened at least once a year for sexually transmitted infections. Any woman who has had a new sexual partner and also those women with multiple sexual partners should be screened regularly.

If vaginal infection symptoms develop, a physician should be contacted immediately.

If all preventive measures are followed, and when suffering from PID, medications are taken regularly as prescribed, PID can be got rid off easily.