Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, PID
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a general term that refers to a bacterial infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and other female reproductive organs. It is a common and serious complication of some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), especially chlamydia and gonorrhea; although PID can be caused by many different organisms. PID can damage the fallopian tubes and tissues in and near the uterus and ovaries. PID can lead to serious consequences including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, abscess formation, and chronic pelvic pain.
PID occurs when bacteria move upward from a woman's vagina or cervix into her reproductive organs. The risk of contracting PID or having another episode of PID is increased if you had a prior episode of PID, being sexually active and under the age of 25, having more than one sexual partner, having one sexual partner and that partner has multiple partners, and use of a douche.
Symptoms of PID vary from none to severe. When PID is caused by chlamydial infection, a woman may experience mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, while serious damage is being done to her reproductive organs. Because of vague symptoms, PID goes unrecognized by women and their health care providers about two thirds of the time. Women who have symptoms of PID most commonly have lower abdominal pain. Other signs and symptoms include fever, unusual vaginal discharge that may have a foul odor, painful intercourse, painful urination, irregular menstrual bleeding, and pain in the right upper abdomen (rare).
Prompt and appropriate treatment can help prevent complications of PID. Without treatment, PID can cause permanent damage to the female reproductive organs. About one in ten women with PID becomes infertile, and if a woman has multiple episodes of PID, her chances of becoming infertile increase. If the fallopian tubes become damaged, there is an increased chance of ectopic pregnancy, which can cause severe pain, internal bleeding and possible death. Scarring in the fallopian tubes and other pelvic structures can also cause pelvic pain that lasts for months or even years.