PID

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a general term that refers to infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and other reproductive organs. It is a common and serious complication of other diseases, especially chlamydia and gonorrhea.

How do you get it?

PID occurs when bacteria move upward from a woman's vagina or cervix into her reproductive organs.

Research has shown that douching can negatively affect the vaginal flora (organisms that live in the vagina) and can force bacteria into the upper reproductive organs from the vagina.

Symptoms

Most women will not have any symptoms. If they do, signs will include lower abdominal pain, fever, unusual vaginal discharge that may have a foul odor, painful intercourse and urination, irregular menstrual bleeding, and pain in the right upper abdomen.

Complications

PID can turn normal tissue in the fallopian tubes to scar tissues, which blocks the normal movement of eggs into the uterus. This can lead to infertility, which occurs once for every 5 cases of PID.

Ectopic pregnancies are also frequent complications of PID. The damaged fallopian tube prevents a fertilized egg from traveling to the uterus and it begins to grow in the tube. The pregnancy can later rupture leading to severe pain, internal bleeding, and even death.

Scarring of the fallopian tubes can also lead to chronic pelvic pain.

Testing/Diagnosis

There is no test for PID, and since many women do not experience any symptoms, it often goes undetected. If there are symptoms, the doctor can usually make a diagnosis. Pelvic ultrasounds and laparoscopy, which sends a small tube with a lighted end into the abdomen for viewing, can confirm the presence of PID.

Treatment

PID can be cured with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor, however, this does not reverse any damage that has already happened.

Hospitalization may be needed if the woman is 1) severely ill (nausea, vomiting and high fever), 2) pregnant, 3) is in need of an intravenous antibiotic, or if there is an abscess in the fallopian tube or ovary which may need surgery.

Resources: Heritage House '76, Inc.