Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a broad term used to refer to infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. It is one of the most common and serious illnesses effecting women today. About one million women are treated for PID in the U.S. yearly. About one in seven women are treated for PID at some point in their lives.

PID usually affects sexually active women during their childbearing years. Most cases of PID are thought to develop from sexually transmitted diseases (STD's). The 2 most important of such diseases are gonorrhea and chlamydia. Without treatment for these infections, which can occur without symptoms, PID may develop.

PID can occur from a bacteria infecting the cervix (the opening of the uterus) and finding their way to the uterus, tubes and ovaries. Another possible, but less common cause of PID is the introduction of the infecting organism after an induced abortion, following the delivery of a child, or by insertion of an IUD.

The dangers of PID are that it can lead to scarring the tissue of the fallopian tubes which can damage or block them completely. This can lead to an ectopic pregnancy (tubal pregnancy), abscess formation, chronic pain, and infertility.

Symptoms of PID include vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor, painful urination, pain in the lower abdomen, which is usually mild, aching in nature, abnormal uterine bleeding, fever, chills, and/or nausea and vomiting.

The treatment of PID is antibiotics and hospitalization may be required.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in the Gynecology and Infertility Associates web site should be relied upon for medical education purposes only. It is not intended to replace the independent judgment of a health care provider. The appropriateness of a course of treatment for a patient may vary from the medical information provided herein due to individual conditions and/or complications.