An overview of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a serious infection in your uterus, fallopiantubes and/or ovaries. It affects women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB).PID develops when certain types of bacteria spread from your vagina to yourreproductive organs.

When you have PID, you may feel pain in your lower abdomen (belly) or pelvis. You mayalso have unusual discharge (leaking) from your vagina. Severe PID can causepermanent damage your reproductive organs and prevent you from getting pregnant.Getting tested and treated for STIs is the best way to prevent PID.

Many types of bacteria can cause PID, but gonorrhea or chlamydia infections are themost common. These bacteria are usually acquired during unprotected sex.

Less commonly, bacteria can enter your reproductive tract anytime the normal barriercreated by the cervix is disturbed. This can happen during menstruation and afterchildbirth, miscarriage or abortion. Rarely, bacteria can also enter thereproductive tract during the insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) — a form oflong-term birth control — or any medical procedure that involves insertinginstruments into the uterus.

The signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease might be mild and difficult torecognize. Some women don't have any signs or symptoms. When signs and symptoms ofPID are present, they most often include:

1. Pain — ranging from mild to severe — in your lower abdomen and pelvis

2. Unusual or heavy vaginal discharge that may have an unpleasant odor

3. Unusual bleeding from the vagina, especially during or after sex, or betweenperiods

4. Pain during sex

5. Painful, frequent or difficult urination

6. Fever, sometimes with chills

Sometimes, PID isn’t due to a sexually transmitted infection. It can come from normalvaginal bacteria traveling to your reproductive organs. Avoiding douching may lowerthe risk.Most of the time, though, PID happens because of unprotected sex. Takesteps to practice safe sex. Ways to protect yourself from sexually transmittedinfections (STIs) that can cause PID include:

Limiting sexual partners : Your risk increases if you have multiple partners.

Choosing barrier methods of birth control : These types of birth controlinclude condoms and diaphragms. Combine a barrier method with spermicide, even ifyou take birth control pills.

Seeking treatment if you notice symptoms : If you notice signs of PID or otherSTIs, get treatment right away. Symptoms include unusual vaginal discharge, pelvicpain or bleeding between periods.

Getting regular checkups : Have regular gynecological exams and screenings.Often, providers can identify and treat cervical infections before they spread toreproductive organs.

When you visit your doctor, they’ll probably give you a pelvic examination. They’llcheck for signs of tenderness in your cervix, uterus, or surrounding organs (ovariesand fallopian tubes).

They’ll also:

Look for signs of any fluid in the vagina or cervix that doesn’t look right

Ask about your symptoms and your medical and sexual history

Take your temperature

Do a blood test to check for sexually transmitted infection

Do an ultrasound to make a picture of your internal organs

Your provider will prescribe antibiotics that you take by mouth, typically for 14days. Make sure to take all your medicine, even if you start feeling better. Often,your symptoms improve before the infection goes away. Your provider may recommendyou return a few days after starting the medicine. They can check that treatment isworking.