What is pelvic inflammatory disease?
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (P.I.D.)
is an infection which occurs when bacteria enters the cervix and spreads upwards into the pelvic organs, including the uterus,
fallopian tubes and the ovaries.
Apart from H.I.V.,
P.I.D. is the most common and serious complication of sexually
transmitted diseases.
What causes pelvic inflammatory disease?
There is a variety of bacteria that can cause P.I.D.,
but the bacteria that cause the sexually
transmitted diseases gonorrhoea and chlamydia are responsible for most
P.I.D. infections. The bacteria may also enter the body after the insertion
of an I.U.D. (Intra-Uterine contraceptive Device), childbirth, miscarriage or abortion.
What are the signs
or symptoms for pelvic inflammatory disease?
The symptoms of P.I.D. can vary in different women
and this can make it very difficult for a doctor to diagnose. It can
be an acute (short and severe) or a chronic (long term) infection. P.I.D., particularly when caused by chlamydia
infection, may produce only minor symptoms or none at all.
Symptoms that are associated with acute P.I.D. include:
Symptoms that are associated
with chronic P.I.D. include:
- Constant abdominal pain or tenderness.
- Weakness and tiredness.
- Heavy, painful periods.
- Pain or discomfort during sex.
- Bleeding between periods.
- Back pain.
If you are worried about P.I.D. you should make
an appointment to see your doctor or visit your local G.U.M.
clinic.
How can I avoid getting pelvic inflammatory disease?
Infection with P.I.D. can be prevented by avoiding
risky sexual behaviour (unsafe sex). If condoms are used correctly and
consistently you are protecting yourself against infection from gonorrhoea and chlamydia,
the two main causes of P.I.D.
Other procedures you can follow to avoid the spread
of bacteria include:
- Not having vaginal intercourse directly after anal intercourse.
- Avoiding sexual intercourse for 6 weeks after
childbirth, or for one week after abortion or miscarriage.
- Avoiding douching,
as this may push bacteria upwards.
How is pelvic inflammatory disease diagnosed?
P.I.D. can be hard to diagnose. Your doctor may be able
to diagnose P.I.D. by examining your pelvic area for swollen and painful
areas. If the doctor suspects P.I.D. he/she may refer you to a specialist
for examinations, these may include an ultrasound and a laparoscopy. A laparoscopy is a minor operation in which a small
telescopic camera is inserted (through a small cut under your naval)
to look at your pelvic organs.
How is pelvic inflammatory disease treated?
P.I.D. is treated with antibiotics, bed rest and
painkillers. In severe cases a stay in hospital may be necessary so
that the antibiotics can be given directly into the veins. A follow-up
appointment is usually required to ensure that the infection is gone.
It is also very important that your partner has a full check-up, to
make sure you are both clear of all infections.
How will pelvic inflammatory disease affect me
in the future?
If P.I.D. is left untreated it can cause infertility.
This is because the infection scars the tissues of the fallopian
tubes, causing them to narrow. If the fallopian tubes become blocked, sperm are unable to pass to fertilize the egg.
A woman who has had P.I.D. is also at risk of having
a tubal or ectopic
pregnancy, in which the egg can become fertilized but can't pass
into the uterus to grow. Instead, the egg usually attaches in the fallopian
tubes, where it is
unable to grow normally. This type of pregnancy is life threatening
to the mother and almost always fatal to her fetus.
Women with recurrent episodes of P.I.D. are more likely to suffer scarring of the tubes,
than women with a single episode.
Related topics
Chlamydia
and Gonorrhoea Home Test
G.U.M.
clinic
Sexually
transmitted diseases.
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