Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman's reproductive organs.
It happens when bacteria from your vagina or cervix spreads to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries.
More than one million women in the United States get PID every year, according to Planned Parenthood. It's most common between ages 15 and 24.
If untreated, PID can cause pelvic pain, problems getting pregnant, and issues during pregnancy.
Causes and Risk Factors
You can get PID any time bacteria enter the reproductive tract.
Less commonly, PID can happen after childbirth, an abortion, douching, a miscarriage, or insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD).
You're at higher risk for PID if you:
- Have an STI
- Are sexually active and are younger than 25
- Have unprotected sex
- Have had PID in the past
- Douche your vagina
- Have more than one sexual partner
- Have a partner who has more than one sexual partner
- Have recently had an IUD inserted
Symptoms of PID may include:
- Pain in the pelvis, lower abdomen, or lower back
- Pain during intercourse
- Heavy vaginal discharge that has an unpleasant odor
- Painful or difficult urination
- Irregular menstrual bleeding
- Menstrual cramps that are more painful than usual
- Fever and chills
- Nausea or vomiting
Many women with PID don't have any signs of the infection. Others, though, experience extreme pain and other symptoms that come on fast.
Doctors can diagnose PID during a simple pelvic exam. Your doctor may also order other tests to help assess your condition.
Your healthcare provider will most likely prescribe a combination of antibiotics to treat your PID.
If you have a very serious infection that doesn't improve with standard treatment, you may need to begin treatment with intravenous (IV) antibiotics — and, later, additional antibiotic pills — or surgery to repair or remove your reproductive organs.
You may need to avoid sexual intercourse until your PID has been effectively treated.
Your partner may also need to be treated if your infection was caused by an STI.
If PID isn't treated, it can cause scarring of the pelvic organs, which can lead to:
- Chronic pelvic pain
- An ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb)
- Infertility (inability to get pregnant)
- An abscess in the fallopian tubes or ovaries
Your infection can also spread to your blood or other parts of the body.
It's important to see a doctor right away if you think you may have PID. Antibiotics can treat your infection, but they won't reverse any permanent damage to your internal organs.
You can help prevent PID by:
Practicing safe sex Use a condom when you have sex and limit your number of sexual partners.
Not douching This cleansing method can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your vagina.
Getting tested for STIs Treating an STI as early as possible can lower your chances of getting PID.
Adopting good hygiene habits Be sure to wipe from front to back after a bowel movement to avoid spreading bacteria from the rectal area to the vagina.
Last Updated: 4/28/2016