Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection affecting the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries of the female reproductive system. The most common cause of PID is bacteria from untreated sexually transmitted diseases.

Most people suffer from PID due to unprotected sex. During sexual activity, bacteria enter the reproductive system, where they can infect other pelvic organs. If left untreated, it might lead to severe complications such as adhesions, scarring, or blockage of the fallopian tubes.

PID mainly occurs in females during the reproductive age, but pelvic inflammatory disease in men is rare, and it may occur due to infection of the reproductive or urinary tract. Early detection and appropriate treatment can help prevent serious complications.

Types of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease has two types:

• Acute pelvic inflammatory disease: Acute pelvic inflammatory disease is a condition in which sudden infection occurs that causes severe pelvic pain, inflammation, and fever. Immediate treatment is required to control the symptoms.
• Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease: Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease is a condition in which a woman suffers from recurrent pelvic infection, causing persistent pelvic pain, scarring, and other complications. Symptoms are mild and last for several months or years.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Causes

Some of the known causes of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease are:

• Sometimes, naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina may travel upwards due to poor hygiene and a weak immune system, and cause infection of the other reproductive organs.
• Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea are the most common causes of PID. These bacteria enter the system through unprotected sex. If left untreated, they travel upwards to infect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and the ovaries. This causes inflammation, scarring, and infertility in complicated cases.
• Procedures involving the use of external instruments, such as abortion, IUD insertion, or endometrial biopsy, can transmit bacteria into the reproductive system if sterilisation methods are not used properly, causing infection.
• People having multiple sexual partners are more prone to suffer from bacterial infection, especially when protection is not used.
• Excessive douching disturbs the normal vaginal pH and flushes away protective bacteria, replacing them with disease-producing bacteria. This increases the risk of reproductive organs.

Risk Factors for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

The risk factors for pelvic inflammatory disease include the following:

• Having more than one sexual partner increases the risk of PID.
• Suffering from sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea or chlamydia increases the risk.
• Younger people under 25 years who are sexually active are more prone to sexually transmitted infections.
• People who have a history of chronic inflammatory disease and have left it untreated are at a higher risk.
• Women who have pelvic surgery or tubal ligation have a higher chance of suffering from PID.
• IUD insertion or abortion without paying attention to sterilisation techniques increases the risk.

Diagnosis of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

A doctor may diagnose PID by taking a medical history, assessing general health, reviewing symptoms, and asking about sexual activity.

• A physical examination may be done to examine the reproductive organs.
• A vaginal culture is recommended to test for certain bacteria.
• The health care provider may also order blood tests and a urine test to rule out a urinary tract infection.
• Ultrasound may be done to check reproductive organs.
• Tests may be done to rule out sexually transmitted infections.
• In some cases, procedures such as laparoscopy may be done for pelvic inflammatory disease diagnosis and to monitor reproductive organs.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Treatment & Management

The first line of treatment for PID includes antibiotics. Common medications for pelvic inflammatory disease include antibiotics like metronidazole, doxycycline, and ceftriaxone. Painkillers are given to reduce pain and discomfort.

• You must take rest until symptoms subside.
• Management of pelvic inflammatory disease includes avoiding sexual activity until you complete the treatment as recommended by the physician.
• Both partners should be tested and treated accordingly.
• You must visit the hospital if you have a high fever, pregnancy, abscesses, or do not get relief from oral medications for pelvic inflammatory disease treatment.

Complications of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Untreated PID can cause serious effects. Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease can cause scarring of the fallopian tubes, which can lead to severe problems such as:

• Long-lasting pelvic pain
• Scarring can prevent a fertilised egg from reaching the uterus. This can cause implantation inside the tube, leading to ectopic pregnancy.
• Chronic PID can lead to infertility due to scarring of the fallopian tubes.
• Another complication is a tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA), in which there is a pocket of infection in your pelvis, making you feel very sick.

Prevention of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease can be prevented by following the given tips:

• Avoid having multiple sexual partners
• Consult with a healthcare physician if you notice any symptoms of PID.
• Use protection during sexual activity.
• Visit a doctor regularly for check-ups and screenings to detect and treat underlying conditions early.
• Maintain proper hygiene after a surgical procedure.

Conclusion

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a severe infection of the reproductive organs. One must understand pelvic inflammatory disease causes, symptoms and treatment. It is caused by untreated bacterial infections or poor hygiene. Identifying symptoms early can help in early diagnosis and proper treatment. Antibiotic treatment can help prevent complications. You must consult with a top Indira IVF doctor for a precise diagnosis and personalised management plan.