Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Symptoms

What is pelvic inflammatory disease?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the organs of the female reproductive system. This piece focuses on the pelvic inflammatory disease symptoms, causes and treatment.

But first, PID occurs following the spread of sexually transmitted bacteria from the vagina through to the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries.

PID is a common gynecological problem. For example, it can affect your womb, fallopian tubes or the ovaries. Also, it may affect a combination of these organs.

Additionally, PID can cause scar formations with fibrous bands. Most cases of PID occur as a result of untreated vaginal or cervical infection.

Further, it is important to note that PID may not cause signs or symptoms. So, even when it is present, you may not know you have the condition.

However, the condition may be discovered, if there is chronic pelvic pain, and trouble getting pregnant.

A 2013 – 2014 survey shows that 4.4% of the 1, 171 sexually exposed women of reproductive age in the United States reported they have had PID.

What are the pelvic inflammatory disease symptoms?

As stated above, women with PID may not have symptoms. However, symptoms may appear, ranging from mild to severe PID symptoms. Keep in mind that if left untreated, PID can have serious consequences.

Possible pelvic inflammatory disease symptoms include:

• Fever
• Severe pain in the pelvic area
• Fatigue
• Irregular periods
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Frequent urination
• Bleeding between periods
• vomiting
• Spotting between periods
• Lower back pain
• Rectal pain

Pelvic inflammatory disease symptoms may appear as those of a urinary tract infection, an ovarian cyst, an endometriosis or an appendicitis.

Also, PID can be acute if it lasts up to 30 days or chronic if it lasts more than 30 days. It may be difficult to treat PID because the symptoms vary and some women are asymptomatic.

Therefore, if you experience symptoms suggestive of PID or if you are exposed to an STI, speak to your doctor.

In fact, see a doctor if you have fever, lower abdominal pain, foul vaginal discharge, nausea and vomiting.

If you have mild pelvic inflammatory disease symptoms, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. In addition, see your doctor if you have symptoms suggestive of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Such STI symptoms include painful urination, bleeding between menstrual cycles or vaginal discharge with an odor.

There is need for prompt treatment of an STI in order to prevent PID.

What are the causes of pelvic inflammatory disease?

An infection that begins in the vagina can spread to the cervix, the fallopian tubes and the ovaries, causing PID.

The most common causes of PID are the sexually transmitted bacteria, including the Chlamydia and gonorrhea. So, these bacteria are acquired during unprotected sexual intercourse.

However, bacteria can enter your reproductive tract after miscarriage or childbirth which causes a breach of the normal barrier created by the cervix.

Further, 10% of women with gonorrhea and 80 to 90% of those with chlamydia do not have symptoms. In addition, 10 to 15% of women with gonorrhea or chlamydia may have PID as a secondary infection.

What are the risk factors for PID?

In addition to STI, the following risk factors contribute to the development of PID:

Miscarriage, abortion or childbirth

Bacteria may enter the vagina following childbirth, abortion or miscarriage. The resultant infection can spread more easily if the cervix is open.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis may increase slightly the risk for PID. This may occur if the infection spreads to the pelvis.

An endometrial biopsy

A doctor may have a reason to take a sample of endometrial tissue for analysis. This is called endometrial biopsy.

However, an endometrial biopsy may increase the risk of infection which in turn may result in PID.

An intrauterine device (IUD)

IUD is a form of birth control in which a device is placed into the uterus. However, one major complication of IUD is the risk of infection.

In fact, IUD increases the risk of infection which in turn increases the risk of developing PID.

Other risk factors include women who:

• are between 15 and 29 years of age and are sexually active
• do not use barrier contraceptives
• have several sexual partners
• use a douche

What are the complications of PID?

The complications of PID include:

Tubo-ovarian abscess

If pelvic inflammatory disease is left untreated, there may be collections of infected fluid (abscesses) in the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

These abscesses could develop a life-threatening infection and damage the reproductive organs.

Ectopic pregnancy

PID causes tubal pregnancy. It is important to note that untreated PID can cause scar tissue. The scar tissue may prevent fertilized egg from passing through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus.

In an ectopic pregnancy, massive, life-threatening bleeding can occur. This requires emergency medical attention.

Chronic pelvic pain

PID may cause long-term pelvic pain. The pelvic pain may last months or even years.

Scarred fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs may cause pain during ovulation and sexual intercourse.

Infertility

PID may damage the reproductive organs and cause the inability to become pregnant.

The more times PID occurs, the greater the risk of infertility. PID requires urgent treatment as delay may increase your risk of infertility.

How can PID be diagnosed?

Your doctor will diagnose this condition by asking about pelvic inflammatory disease symptoms and doing a pelvic exam to check for tenderness.

Also, a test for chlamydia and gonorrhea will be done. Your doctor may request a swab from the cervix and the urethra for culture.

Additionally, your doctor may request an ultrasound scan to check for inflammation in the fallopian tubes.

Sometimes, your doctor may request a laparoscope to view the area, and if necessary take samples through it.

How can PID be treated?

It is advisable to treat PID early to reduce the likelihood of complications. The first line of treatment is with antibiotics.

Antibiotic treatment

Follow the doctor’s instructions and complete all of the prescription of antibiotics. A course of antibiotics usually lasts 14 days.

Often, PID may be caused by more than one type of bacteria. Therefore, the patient may take two antibiotics at the same time.

More targeted treatment is possible if tests show which bacteria are causing the disease.

You can use these antibiotics if you have pelvic inflammatory disease symptoms:

• ceftriaxone
• cefoxitin
• metronidazole
• doxycycline

The patient should seek further help if the antibiotics fail to work within 3 days. The doctor may give intravenous antibiotics or change medications.

Can women with PID be hospitalized?

A pregnant woman with PID or a woman with severe PID symptoms may need an admission in the hospital.

Hospitalization will provide a good opportunity to give her intravenous medications under supervision.

Can women with PID undergo surgery?

Women with PID rarely need surgery. However, it may be needed if an abscess needs draining or there is scarring on the fallopian tubes.

The surgery may be a keyhole procedure or may involve the removal of one of both fallopian tubes.

How can PID be prevented?

Though PID can become a serious condition, there are ways to reduce the risk of developing the disease.

Here are the simple ways to minimize the risk of PID:

• Have regular screening particularly for women who have multiple sexual partners.
• Ensure sexual partners get tested for STIs and other infections.
• Practice safe sex.
• Always use condom or cervical cap when having sex.
• Do not have sex too soon after loss of pregnancy or termination of pregnancy or childbirth.
• Do not resume sex until the cervix closes properly.

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