Pelvic
Inflammatory Disease (PID)
What is pelvic inflammatory disease
(PID)?
Pelvic
inflammatory disease or PID is an infection of a woman’s reproductive tract. It
can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and the ovaries. Scar tissue grows
between internal organs leading to ongoing pelvic pain. It can also lead to
ectopic pregnancy. This is when the fertilized egg grows outside the uterus. If
left untreated, PID can lead to chronic infection. Also, you may not be able to
get pregnant.
What causes PID?
Bacteria cause
PID. Often the same type of bacteria that causes sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs). PID may also develop if bacteria travel through the vagina and the
cervix from the use of an intrauterine device (IUD).
What are the risk factors for
PID?
Women of any
age can get PID. But, those at greater risk of PID from sexually transmitted
bacteria include:
·
Women under 25 who are
sexually active
·
Women of childbearing age
·
Women who use intrauterine
devices (IUDs)
What are the symptoms of PID?
These are the
most common symptoms of PID.
·
Pain and tenderness spread
throughout the lower abdomen
·
Pelvic pain
·
Increased foul-smelling
vaginal discharge
·
Fever and chills
·
Vomiting and nausea
·
Pain during urination
·
Abdominal pain (upper right
area)
·
Pain during sex
The symptoms
of PID may look like other conditions or health problems. Always consult your
health care provider for a diagnosis.
How is PID diagnosed?
Your doctor
will do a medical history and a physical and pelvic exam. Other tests may
include:
·
Exam of vagina and cervix samples under a
microscope
·
Blood tests
·
Pap test. For this test, cells are taken from the cervix and checked
under a microscope. It's used to find cancer, infection, or inflammation.
·
Ultrasound. This test uses high-frequency sound waves to make an
image of the organs.
·
Laparoscopy. This is a minor procedure done using a laparoscope. That is a
thin tube with a lens and a light. It is inserted into an incision in the
abdominal wall to view the reproductive tract.
·
Culdocentesis. For this test, a needle is inserted into the pelvic
cavity through the vaginal wall to get a sample of pus.
How is PID treated?
Your health
care provider will figure out the best treatment based on:
·
How old you are
·
Your overall health and
medical history
·
How sick you are
·
How well you can handle
specific medications, procedures, or therapies
·
How long t he condition is
expected to last
·
Your opinion or preference
Antibiotic
pills are used to treat PID, especially if it’s due to a STD. For severe
infection, you may need to stay in the hospital for intravenous (IV)
antibiotics. Sometimes, surgery is needed.
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