HEALTH EDUCATION

Pelvic inflammatory disease

What it is
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a common and serious infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes and other reproductive organs, usually as the result of untreated STIs (sexually transmitted infections) like chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Symptoms can vary from minimal to severe and can include:

• Fever

• Vaginal discharge

• Lower abdominal pain

• Painful intercourse

• Painful urination

• Irregular menstrual bleeding

How it’s spread
PID is not contagious but is often caused by untreated contagious STIs.

How it’s treated
PID can be cured with antibiotics. The symptoms may go away before the infection is cured. Your clinician will determine and prescribe the best treatment for you.

Antibiotics won’t reverse any damage that PID may have already caused in the reproductive organs. If you have pelvic pain and other
PID symptoms, it is very important to get help immediately.

How it’s prevented
STIs, especially untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea, are the main cause of PID. You can protect against PID by taking action to prevent
STIs and by getting early treatment if you think you may have one.

The only sure way to avoid STIs is to abstain from sex or to limit sex to partners you KNOW to be uninfected.

Correct and consistent use of condoms can reduce the risk of transmission of chlamydia and gonorrhea.

What it does
PID can damage the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Untreated, it can lead to chronic pain, abscesses, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube).

More than 100,000 women become infertile each year as a result of PID.

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