What are the symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

---

How does one get it? What tests does the doctor do?
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a general term that refers to infection of the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus) and other reproductive organs. It is a common and serious complication of some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), especially chlamydia and gonorrhea. PID can damage the fallopian tubes and tissues in and near the uterus and ovaries. Untreated PID can lead to serious consequences including infertility, ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in the fallopian tube or elsewhere outside of the womb), abscess formation, and chronic pelvic pain.


Each year in the United States, it is estimated that more than 1 million women experience an episode of acute PID. More than 100,000 women become infertile each year as a result of PID, and a large proportion of the ectopic pregnancies occurring every year are due to the consequences of PID. Annually more than 150 women die from PID or its complications.

PID occurs when bacteria move upward from a woman's vagina or cervix (opening to the uterus) into her reproductive organs. Many different organisms can cause PID, but many cases are associated with gonorrhea and chlamydia, two very common bacterial STDs. A prior episode of PID increases the risk of another episode because the reproductive organs may be damaged during the initial bout of infection.

Sexually active women in their childbearing years are most at risk, and those under age 25 are more likely to develop PID than those older than 25. This is because the cervix of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured, increasing their susceptibility to the STDs that are linked to PID.

The more sex partners a woman has, the greater her risk of developing PID. Also, a woman whose partner has more than one sex partner is at greater risk of developing PID, because of the potential for more exposure to infectious agents.

Women who douche may have a higher risk of developing PID compared with women who do not douche. Research has shown that douching changes the vaginal flora (organisms that live in the vagina) in harmful ways, and can force bacteria into the upper reproductive organs from the vagina.

Women who have an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted may have a slightly increased risk of PID near the time of insertion compared with women using other contraceptives or no contraceptive at all. However, this risk is greatly reduced if a woman is tested and, if necessary, treated for STDs before an IUD is inserted.

Prompt and appropriate treatment can help prevent complications of PID. Without treatment, PID can cause permanent damage to the female reproductive organs. Infection-causing bacteria can silently invade the fallopian tubes, causing normal tissue to turn into scar tissue. This scar tissue blocks or interrupts the normal movement of eggs into the uterus. If the fallopian tubes are totally blocked by scar tissue, sperm cannot fertilize an egg, and the woman becomes infertile. Infertility also can occur if the fallopian tubes are partially blocked or even slightly damaged. About one in eight women with PID becomes infertile, and if a woman has multiple episodes of PID, her chances of becoming infertile increase.

In addition, a partially blocked or slightly damaged fallopian tube may cause a fertilized egg to remain in the fallopian tube. If this fertilized egg begins to grow in the tube as if it were in the uterus, it is called an ectopic pregnancy. As it grows, an ectopic pregnancy can rupture the fallopian tube causing severe pain, internal bleeding, and even death.

Scarring in the fallopian tubes and other pelvic structures can also cause chronic pelvic pain (pain that lasts for months or even years). Women with repeated episodes of PID are more likely to suffer infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or chronic pelvic pain
PID is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often subtle and mild. Many episodes of PID go undetected because the woman or her health care provider fails to recognize the implications of mild or nonspecific symptoms. Because there are no precise tests for PID, a diagnosis is usually based on clinical findings. If symptoms such as lower abdominal pain are present, a health care provider should perform a physical examination to determine the nature and location of the pain and check for fever, abnormal vaginal or cervical discharge, and for evidence of gonorrheal or chlamydial infection. If the findings suggest PID, treatment is necessary.

The health care provider may also order tests to identify the infection-causing organism (e.g., chlamydial or gonorrheal infection) or to distinguish between PID and other problems with similar symptoms. A pelvic ultrasound is a helpful procedure for diagnosing PID. An ultrasound can view the pelvic area to see whether the fallopian tubes are enlarged or whether an abscess is present. In some cases, a laparoscopy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. A laparoscopy is a minor surgical procedure in which a thin, flexible tube with a lighted end (laparoscope) is inserted through a small incision in the lower abdomen. This procedure enables the doctor to view the internal pelvic organs and to take specimens for laboratory studies, if needed.

STD (mainly untreated Chlamydia or gonorrhea) is the main preventable cause of PID. Women can protect themselves from PID by taking action to prevent STDs or by getting early treatment if they do get an STD.

The surest way to avoid transmission of STDs is to abstain from sexual intercourse, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.

Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of chlamydia and gonorrhea.

CDC recommends yearly chlamydia testing of all sexually active women age 25 or younger and of older women with risk factors for chlamydial infections (those who have a new sex partner or multiple sex partners). An appropriate sexual risk assessment by a health care provider should always be conducted and may indicate more frequent screening for some women.

Any genital symptoms such as an unusual sore, discharge with odor, burning during urination, or bleeding between menstrual cycles could mean an STD infection. If a woman has any of these symptoms, she should stop having sex and consult a health care provider immediately. Treating STDs early can prevent PID. Women who are told they have an STD and are treated for it should notify all of their recent sex partners so they can see a health care provider and be evaluated for STDs. Sexual activity should not resume until all sex partners have been examined and, if necessary, treated  (+ info)

pelvic inflammatory disease, why did a doctor tell me that my boyfriend needs to be checked for it ?

---

my understanding from other answers i found here is, that men cannot get this disease, because they do not have reproductive systems. what am i supposed to believe and what should he do?
typical your doctor tells you something and what do you do

you come to the quacks for a second opinion  (+ info)

How long do you have to have Chlamydia to develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

---

If a girl has had Chlamydia for almost 2 years without knowing how likely is it that she had PID? What is the girl has no symptoms of PID?
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States, affecting about four million Americans every year. The disease is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. The following areas in the body can be affected:

cervix  (+ info)

What are ALL the ways you can get Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

---

I hear different things, and find different things. Doctors say different, so i am curious what people do know about it. Some cases say only STD's and iud devices and unsterile abortions and a few others. Is there any way from a girl herself being unclean? or is it pretty likely it was from an std?Any answers i can get are great! thank you!
Anything is inserted into your vagina has the possibility of infecting you - a dirty finger, an unclean sex toy, the tongue of someone with periodontal disease, an uncovered penis, etc.  (+ info)

How do you get Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

---

One of the main causes of getting PID is usually caused by a bacterial infection, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, but what else can cause you to get it?

Also, they say it can cause infertility, how likely is this? I've had PID once and took the medication to get rid of it, but they never told me how I got it, I am sexually active but neither my partner or I have any STD's.
Yes the majority cause is either by Chlamydia, or Neisseria both of which are STDs.

If you are absolutely sure that neither you or your partner has had an STD then there is the 10% of PID being caused by other viral, parasitic, or bacterial infections(usually from the normal flora).

Yes, it can cause infertility. This is caused by scar tissue from the infection called adhesions. These adhesions will disrupt the normal pathway that the egg, sperm, or zygote would take to get to the uterus, or prevent the egg from leaving the ovary.

The only way to tell is to have your OB-GYN doctor to do examinations when your ready for kids...when you get older.  (+ info)

Is it possible to have Pelvic Inflammatory Disease with out having extreme pain?

---

With all do respect, I'd rather not go into detail. Thanks.
absolutely yes. But, like any condition there are the variables. For example, I could tell you that I am crazy. What does that mean you would say to yourself. Are you crazy like everyone or really nuts? Ok, buy its very nature PID (inflammatory) should create a very unusual low abdominal symtomology. Number one on top of the list is pain. In this case abnormal inflammation in the pelvic area (the diagnosis) is assigned to female internal genitals (uterus,cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and even the abdominal cavity). This excludes the vagina since it has the same cell type as skin in the mouth. OK, you use the word "extreme". Of course, beauty is to the beholder. In this case extreme pain means what to you as opposed to me.

Statistically, more than 1.5 million women contract PID annually. It is a multiple organism infection. Risk factors include sex at early age, history of previous STD, multiple sex partner, and older sex partners.

Generally speaking, all sexually active females with lower abdominal pain, tenderness, abnormal vaginal discharge, cervical motion tenderness, pelvic exam tenderness, and fever should be proven by testing to not have PID. Not disproving the presence of PID in this presenting female puts her at significant health risk.  (+ info)

What are the effects of depakote er and seroquel? I have pelvic inflammatory disease and want to get pregnant?

---

after my treatment, I would like to know the long term effects of depakote and seroquel as far as fertility is concerned?
you must definatley go see your ob/gyn. I hope you dont take answers from here  (+ info)

what are my chances of having another baby when I have Pelvic inflammatory disease?

---

I had my IUD for 2 years, and I had to have it taken out about a month ago, because I was having severe stomach pains. The Dr. told me that I have Pelvic inflammatory disease, (not b/c of an STD) he also said I probobly would not be able to have any more children. I am only 21 I have one, and I think sometimes I would like one more some day, does anyone know anything about this??? What are my chances of conceiving after PID?
Why does it make you unable to have children?
First you need to ask more questions, find out exactly what part was damaged by the PID (fallopian tubes, uterine lining/scar tissue, etc.). Then I would see a reproductive specialist (not an OB/GYN) because they will be able to tell you exactly how they can treat your specific problem. Don't take your doc's word for gold, I have heard from many women (in real life) that were told similiar things and went on to have kids. One of my friends was told her eggs were "bad" (at age 26) and she would need a lot of help getting PG - well she had IVF and got PG with twins on the first try- not only that, but 8 months after giving birth she recently found out she is PG naturally!!! Doctors don't know everything. Do your own research, and seek out the best specialists you can. HTH  (+ info)

I had pelvic inflammatory disease 20 years ago and tried many different treatments to no avail, I had a total?

---

hysterectomy many years ago. I still have significant vaginal pain with intercourse and after intercourse I always have itching and discharge which takes at least a week to subside. I have been to many ob gyn and they have all said they see nothing wrong. Any thoughts on this?
Well those things usually happen if you have an STD/STI. And Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is a built up result of an STD that had been ignored. I would try going to a gynecologist and telling them.  (+ info)

Does anyone know How Pelvic inflammatory disease can get?

---

I was hospitalized for it but i don't seem to be getting over it completely i got from the Mirena birth control method
PID is caused by bacteria entering the reproductive organs through the cervix. When the cervix is infected, bacteria from the vagina can more easily get into and infect the uterus and fallopian tubes. At first, PID may not cause any symptoms or may cause only mild symptoms, such as bleeding or discharge from the vagina. Some women don't even know they have it. They only find out later, when they can't get pregnant or they have pelvic pain. As the infection spreads, the most common symptom is pain in the lower belly. The pain has been described as crampy or as a dull and constant ache. It may be worse during sex, bowel movements, or when you urinate. Some women also have a fever  (+ info)

---

---

• Home
• Our method
• Usage examples
• Index

• Statistics
• Contact

---