Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Diagnosis, Risk Factors and Treatment
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. It occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria spread from your vagina to other parts like the fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus.
Page Contents
Causes of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Bacteria cause PID and it can travel from the vagina to the rest of the parts of the reproductive parts causing an infection. Mostly PID is caused by gonorrhoea or chlamydia. These two are sexually transmitted infections. Having sexual intercourse with an individual who has either of the STIs may cause PID. Bacteria located in the cervix may also travel into the fallopian tubes and uterus during medical procedures like:
- Inserting an intrauterine device(IUD)
- Removal of a piece of womb lining for testing cancer( Endometrial biopsy)
- Getting an intrauterine device (IUD)
- Miscarriage.
- Childbirth.
- Abortion.
- In the U.S. about 1 million have PID every year with one in 8 sexually active women having PID before the age of 20.
You are more likely to get Pelvic Inflammatory Disease if:
You have had sexual intercourse before the age of 20.
You have a romantic sexual partner who has chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
You have sexual intercourse with multiple people.
You have a history of contracting an STI.
You have recently contracted PID.
Diagnosis of Pelvic Intrauterine Disease
There’s not a particular test that can diagnose pelvic inflammatory disease accurately. However, your healthcare provider will rely on several findings including:
Pelvic Examination: During the exam, your healthcare provider will check your pelvic region for swelling and tenderness. Your doctor could also use cotton swabs to obtain fluid samples from your vagina and cervix. The samples will be taken to a laboratory for testing for bacteria like gonorrhoea and chlamydia and also signs of infection.
Signs and Symptoms: Tell your medical provider about any signs or symptoms you are facing even if they are mild.
Medical History
Your medical provider may ask about your sexual habits, and method of birth control and also ask about your sexual habits.
Risk Factors
Complications
Some of the complications from PID can also include:
-
Tubo Ovarian Abscess
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease can lead to collection of pus also known as abscesses to form in your reproductive tract. These abscesses may affect the ovaries and fallopian tubes and can also develop in the uterus and other pelvic organs. If left untreated you can develop a life threatening infection.
-
Infertility
- Damaging your reproductive organs may lead to infertility- the inability to get pregnant. Delaying the treatment for PID may also increase the infertility risk.
-
Ectopic Pregnancy
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease causes tubas alias ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy may occur when untreated PID causes scar tissue to the develop in the fallopian tubes. The scar tissue inhibits the fertilized egg from travelling all the way to the fallopian tube to implant in the uterine lining. Instead the egg implants in the fallopian tube causing life-threatening bleeding that may demand emergency medical attention.
-
Chronic Pelvic Pain
- PID can cause pelvic pain that lasts for several months or years. Scarring your fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs may also cause pain during ovulation and sexual intercourse.
-
 Prevention of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
To reduce your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease:
Practice Safe Sex
Use condoms whenever you have sexual intercourse, limit the number of sexual partners and ask them about a potential partner’s sexual history.
 Encourage Your Partner to be Tested
If you have pelvic inflammatory disease or a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), advise your partner to get tested and treated, this may prevent the spread of STIs and the recurrence of PID.
Discuss Contraception With Your Healthcare Provider
Various forms of contraception don’t protect against development of PID. Using barrier methods like condoms to help reduce the risk of contracting PID. Even if you take birth control pills use a condom whenever you have sexual contact with a new partner to protect against STIs.
Avoid Douching
While cleaning your vagina, avoid douching as it upsets the balance of bacteria in your vagina.
Get Tested
If you are at risk of an STI, make an appointment with your health provider for testing. Arrange for regular testing schedule with your healthcare provider if needed. Treating STI gives you the chance of avoiding PID.
When to see a Doctor
See your health care provider or seek urgent medical care if you experience:
- Severe pain low in your abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting, with an inability to keep anything down
- Fever, with a temperature higher than 101 F (38.3 C)
- Foul vaginal discharge
If you have signs and symptoms of PID that aren’t severe, still see your provider as soon as possible. Vaginal discharge with an odor, painful urination or bleeding between periods can also be symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If these signs and symptoms occur, stop having sex and see your provider soon. Prompt treatment of an sexually transmitted infection (STI) can help prevent PID.
What Questions Should You Expect From Your Doctor ?
Be ready to answer multiple questions from your doctor such as:
What symptoms do you have?
When did you start experiencing symptoms?
Are your symptoms severe?
Do you have several sexual partners?
Do you always use condoms?
Do you experience any pelvic pain?
Coping and support
PID can bring up challenging and stressful feelings. You may deal with the diagnosis of an STI, chronic pain and possible infertility. To help you cope with the ups and downs of PID diagnosis consider some of these strategies:
Treatment
- PID is caused by a sexually transmitted infection. Discovering that you have an STI can cause trauma for you or your romantic partner. Nevertheless, you should seek medical attention alongside your romantic partner to lessen the severity of PID and to avoid reinfection.
-
If endometriosis exhibits no symptoms, a person may not require any treatment. However a physician is required to monitor the situation regularly.Treatment for the condition include pain relievers like nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs and also surgery, hormone therapy for instance the birth control pill.The main goal of surgery is to remove the endometriosis tissue on the cervix. Two trusted procedures include:Superficial electrocauterization-A physician uses heat or electricity to excise the endometrial growths.Large loop excision: It involves a tool with a wire loop carrying electric current. It is passed through the cervix tissue to remove the endometriosis growth.Remember that these growths are likely to reappear even after surgical removal.
-
PreparationÂ
If you have experienced more than one episode of pelvic inflammatory disease you are at a high risk of infertility. If you have been trying to conceive, without success make an appointment for evaluating infertility. Ask your healthcare provider to explain the steps for testing infertility and treatment. Understanding the process could help reduce your anxiety.
Seek Support
Although infertility, chronic pain and sexual health may be deeply personal issues, reach out to your romantic partner, close family members or close friends for emotional support. Many online support groups ensure you maintain anonymity as you discuss your concerns.
Takeaways
PID is an infection of the female reproductive system. Most often, the cause is an STI such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. PID is treatable with antibiotics, but it’s important to treat it quickly. Waiting too long to start treatment could cause serious complications such as infertility and chronic pelvic pain.