Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

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• QIs there a cure for pelvic inflammatory disease?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is usually first treated with antibiotics to destroy the bacteria that are causing the infection. These antibiotics are often taken by mouth or injected into a muscle. In severe cases, PID may require hospitalization, where antibiotics may be given intravenously. In rare cases, surgery may be needed to drain abscesses in the fallopian tubes. Any sexual partners should be tested and treated with antibiotics at the same time to prevent re-infection, and people with PID should avoid having sex until they've completed treatment and the infection is gone.

  After you've been treated for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), there are certain follow-up steps you should take. Make sure you avoid sexual contact until you've completed your treatment. Also, it's important to tell any sex partners you've had within the last 60 days that you're being treated, so they can also get treatment. Remember that you can be re-infected with bacteria that lead to PID even after treatment, so practice safe sex by using condoms and get tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases.

  Although testing for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is usually done only if a woman has noticeable symptoms, it's a good idea to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases on a regular basis. STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea are common causes of PID, so if you're at risk, you should be tested regularly. People at high risk may include sexually active women under the age of 25, and women who have unprotected sex with multiple partners. If STDs are caught early, the chance that they will develop into PID is decreased. Talk to your doctor about getting tested.

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• QWhat are the symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may be mild, or there may be no symptoms. This is especially true for PID that's caused by chlamydia. If pelvic inflammatory disease does cause symptoms, they may include abdominal or pelvic pain, vaginal discharge, or abnormal menstrual bleeding. As the infection progresses, pain more become more severe, and it may lead to other symptoms like fever, nausea, and vomiting. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to see your doctor.

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• QWhat is the rate of incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  In 2014 approximately 51,000  women ages 15-44 in the United States went to the doctor for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) each year. About one in 10 women with PID will become infertile as a result of PID. In fact, PID is the leading preventable cause of infertility in American women. Because of this, it's important to see your doctor right away if you notice any symptoms.
• QIs pelvic inflammatory disease serious?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  If it's caught and treated, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may not be too serious. However, because pelvic inflammatory disease often doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms, it may not be diagnosed and treated until it's already caused serious problems. When pelvic inflammatory disease is left untreated, it can lead to complications such as chronic pelvic pain, an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. PID isn't often life-threatening, but these complications are still serious and permanent. Because of these risks, it's important to talk to your doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms.

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• QIs pelvic inflammatory disease painful?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can be painful in some cases. Some of the first symptoms of PID may include pain in the lower abdomen or pain during menstruation or intercourse. As the infection progresses, the pelvic or abdominal pain may become more severe. However, in many cases PID doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms.

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• QHow do IUDs affect pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?

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  A HealthyWomen answered

  It's a common misconception that the use of an intrauterine device (IUD) increases the risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The risk of developing PID is minimally increased during the first 20 days after insertion of the device, but after that time, the risk returns to baseline. This risk can be reduced by testing women for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) before IUD insertion and treating appropriately. IUDs are an extremely safe and effective means of preventing pregnancy, with less than 1% unintended pregnancies per year.
• QWhat are the possible complications of pelvic inflammatory disease?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  IIf it's caught and treated early, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) generally doesn't cause any complications. However, if left untreated, it may cause serious complications. The infection may cause scarring in the fallopian tubes, which can lead to infertility. In fact, a 100,000 women who get PID will become infertile each year. Scar tissue may also increase the chances of ectopic pregnancy, which is a serious condition in which the fertilized egg can't travel into the uterus and becomes stuck in the fallopian tubes. In some cases, PID may lead to chronic pelvic pain that can last for years. To prevent these potential complications, talk to your doctor right away if you notice any symptoms that may be caused by PID.
• QHow does pelvic inflammatory disease affect the body?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) starts when bacteria enter the female reproductive organs, usually as a result of a sexually transmitted disease. Sometimes, bacteria that are normally found in the vagina overgrow and spread to the fallopian tubes or uterus. When bacteria enter these areas, they cause infection that may spread to the ovaries, or it may produce abscesses or pus-filled pockets in the fallopian tubes. Sometimes the infection may not cause any noticeable symptoms, but other times it may lead to vaginal discharge, abnormal menstrual bleeding, and abdominal or pelvic pain. As the infection progresses, it may cause severe pain, fever, and vomiting. Eventually, the infection may spread to surrounding internal structures like the lining of the abdominal cavity and organs. Other times, the infection can produce scar tissue that leads to infertility.

• QWhat should I know if my partner has pelvic inflammatory disease?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  If your partner has pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), it's important to support them and take care of your own health, too. Once your partner finds out they have PID, it's important for them to start treatment right away. You should also be tested and treated if necessary. You and your partner should avoid having sex until treatment is complete and the infection is gone. If your partner has had PID for a long time without knowing it and then is diagnosed, it's important to be emotionally supportive. PID may lead to infertility, so talk with your partner about their feelings.

• QCan I get pelvic inflammatory disease again even if I've already had it?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Having pelvic inflammatory disease once doesn't protect you from getting infected again. In fact, you're more likely to develop PID if you've already had it before. Even if you've been treated for the infection, you may become re-infected, especially if your sex partner does not receive treatment at the same time. To reduce your risk of getting PID again, avoid having sex until you and your partner have completed treatment, and practice safe sex by using a condom and limiting your number of sex partners.