Learn About Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

What is the definition of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman's womb (uterus), ovaries, or fallopian tubes.

What are the alternative names for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

PID; Oophoritis; Salpingitis; Salpingo - oophoritis; Salpingo - peritonitis

What are the causes of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

PID is an infection caused by bacteria. When bacteria from the vagina or cervix travel to your womb, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, they can cause an infection.

Most of the time, PID is caused by the bacteria chlamydia or gonorrhea. These are sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Having unprotected sex with someone who has an STI can cause PID.

Bacteria normally found in the cervix can also travel into the uterus and fallopian tubes during a medical procedure such as:

  • Childbirth
  • Endometrial biopsy (removing a small piece of your womb lining to test for cancer)
  • Getting an intrauterine device (IUD)
  • Miscarriage
  • Abortion

In the United States, nearly 1 million women have PID each year. About 1 in 8 sexually active women will have PID before age 20.

You are more likely to get PID if:

  • You have a sex partner with gonorrhea or chlamydia.
  • You have sex with many different people.
  • You have had an STI in the past.
  • You have recently had PID.
  • You have contracted gonorrhea or chlamydia and have an IUD.
  • You have had sex before age 20.
What are the symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Common symptoms of PID include:

  • Fever
  • Pain or tenderness in the pelvis, lower belly, or lower back
  • Fluid from your vagina that has an unusual color, texture, or smell

Other symptoms that may occur with PID:

  • Bleeding after intercourse
  • Chills
  • Being very tired
  • Pain when you urinate
  • Having to urinate often
  • Period cramps that hurt more than usual or last longer than usual
  • Unusual bleeding or spotting during your period
  • Not feeling hungry
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Skipping your period
  • Pain when you have intercourse

You can have PID and not have any severe symptoms. For example, chlamydia can cause PID with no symptoms. Women who have an ectopic pregnancy or who are infertile often have PID caused by chlamydia. An ectopic pregnancy is when an egg grows outside of the uterus. It puts the mother's life in danger.

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What are the current treatments for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Your provider will often have you start taking antibiotics while waiting for your test results.

If you have mild PID:

  • Your provider will give you a shot containing an antibiotic.
  • You will be sent home with antibiotic pills to take for up to 2 weeks.
  • You will need to follow-up closely with your provider.

If you have more severe PID:

  • You may need to stay in the hospital.
  • You may be given antibiotics through a vein (IV).
  • Later, you may be given antibiotic pills to take by mouth.

There are many different antibiotics that can treat PID. Some are safe for pregnant women. Which type you take depends on the cause of the infection. You may receive a different treatment if you have gonorrhea or chlamydia.

Finishing the full course of antibiotics you've been given is extremely important for treating PID. Scarring inside the womb or of the tubes from PID may lead to the need to have surgery or undergo invitro fertilization (IVF) to become pregnant. Follow up with your provider after you've finished the antibiotics to make sure that you no longer have the bacteria in your body.

It's very important that you practice safe sex in order to reduce your risk of getting infections, which could lead to PID.

If your PID is caused by an STI like gonorrhea or chlamydia, your sexual partner must be treated as well.

  • If you have more than one sexual partner, they must all be treated.
  • If your partner is not treated, they can infect you again, or can infect other people in the future.
  • Both you and your partner must finish taking all of the prescribed antibiotics.
  • Use condoms until you both have finished taking antibiotics.
Who are the top Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Local Doctors?
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetrics and Gynecology

Northwest Community Women Services LLC

1051 W Rand Rd, 
Arlington Heights, IL 
 7.1 mi
Accepting New Patients

Susan Lupo is an Obstetrics and Gynecologist in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Dr. Lupo and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Her top areas of expertise are Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Vulvovaginitis, Melorheostosis, and Melorheostosis with Osteopoikilosis. Dr. Lupo is currently accepting new patients.

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetrics and Gynecology

Northwest Community Women Services LLC

1051 W Rand Rd, 
Arlington Heights, IL 
 7.1 mi
Accepting New Patients

Claudine Kasinak is an Obstetrics and Gynecologist in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Dr. Kasinak and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Her top areas of expertise are Vulvovaginitis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Osteopenia, and Melorheostosis. Dr. Kasinak is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetrics and Gynecology

Northwest Community Women Services LLC

1051 W Rand Rd, 
Arlington Heights, IL 
 7.1 mi
Accepting New Patients

Michelle Goldin is an Obstetrics and Gynecologist in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Dr. Goldin and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Her top areas of expertise are Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Vulvovaginitis, Vaginal Cysts, and Vaginal Dryness. Dr. Goldin is currently accepting new patients.

What are the possible complications of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

PID infections can cause scarring of the pelvic organs. This can lead to:

  • Long-term (chronic) pelvic pain
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Infertility
  • Tubo-ovarian abscess

If you have a serious infection that does not improve with antibiotics, you may need surgery.

When should I contact a medical professional for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Contact your provider if:

  • You have symptoms of PID.
  • You think you have been exposed to an STI.
  • Treatment for a current STI does not seem to be working.
How do I prevent Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Get prompt treatment for STIs.

You can help prevent PID by practicing safer sex.

  • The only absolute way to prevent an STI is to not have sex (abstinence).
  • You can reduce your risk by having a sexual relationship with only one person. This is called being monogamous.
  • Your risk will also be reduced if you and your sexual partners get tested for STIs before starting a sexual relationship.
  • Using a condom every time you have sex also reduces your risk.

Here is how you can reduce your risk for PID:

  • Get regular STI screening tests.
  • If you are a new couple, get tested before starting to have sex. Testing can detect infections that are not causing symptoms.
  • If you are a sexually active woman age 24 or younger, get screened each year for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
  • All women with new sexual partners or multiple partners should also be screened.
Pelvic laparoscopy
Female reproductive anatomy
Uterus
What are the latest Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Clinical Trials?
Azithromycin Prophylaxis for Prelabor Cesarean Delivery Trial

Summary: This is a phase-III multi-center double-blind randomized controlled trial of 8,000 individuals undergoing a scheduled or prelabor cesarean delivery who are randomized to either adjunctive azithromycin prophylaxis or to placebo. Both groups also will receive standard of care preoperative antibiotics (excluding azithromycin). The primary endpoint is a maternal infection composite defined as any one ...

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Doxycycline Host-directed Therapy to Improve Lung Function and Decrease Tissue Destruction in Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Phase III Randomized Control Trial (Doxy-TB)

Summary: Tuberculosis (TB) is a global pandemic that despite successful treatment and bacterial eradication can cause chronic ill health, also known as pulmonary impairment after tuberculosis (PIAT). A recent Phase 2b double-blind randomised-controlled clinical trial shows that adjunctive doxycycline therapy along with standard pulmonary TB (PTB) treatment is safe, accelerates resolution of inflammation, s...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: July 12, 2023
Published By: John D. Jacobson, MD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/default.htm. Updated June 13, 2023. Accessed September 27, 2023.

Lipsky AM, Hart D. Acute pelvic pain. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 29.

McKinzie J. Sexually transmitted infections. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 84.

Prescott LS, Yunker AC, Alvarez R. Gynecologic surgery. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 71.