Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

STIs can cause this serious infection of the female reproductive organs.

Teens participating in the Summer Wellness Programs

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) refers to infection of the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus) and other reproductive organs.

It is a common and serious complication of some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially chlamydia and gonorrhea.

PID can damage the fallopian tubes and tissues in and near the uterus and ovaries. Untreated PID can lead to serious consequences including infertility, ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in the fallopian tube or elsewhere outside the womb), abscesses, and chronic pelvic pain.

How Does it Spread?

PID occurs when bacteria move upward from a woman's vagina or cervix (opening to the uterus) into her reproductive organs. Different organisms can cause PID, but many cases are associated with gonorrhea and chlamydia, two common bacterial STIs.

A prior episode of PID increases the risk of another episode because the reproductive organs may be damaged during the initial infection.

Sexually active women in their childbearing years are most at risk, and those under age 25 are more likely to develop PID than those older than 25. This is because the cervix of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured, increasing their susceptibility to STIs that are linked to PID.

Symptoms

Dull pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen.
Abnormal periods.
Abnormal vaginal discharge.
Nausea and/or vomiting.
Fever and chills.

Prevention

The best way to avoid transmission of STIs is to abstain from sexual intercourse or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who is known to be uninfected.

STIs, mainly untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea, are the main preventable causes of PID. Women can protect themselves from PID by taking action to prevent STIs or by getting early treatment if they do get an STI.

Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of chlamydia and gonorrhea.

All sexually active women age 25 or younger should be tested yearly for PID.

Treatment

PID can be cured with several types of antibiotics. A healthcare provider will prescribe the best therapy. However, antibiotic treatment does not reverse any damage that has already occurred to the reproductive organs.

If you have pelvic pain and other symptoms of PID, it is critical that you seek care immediately. Prompt antibiotic treatment can prevent severe damage to reproductive organs.

The longer PID treatment is delayed, the higher your chance of becoming infertile or having a future ectopic pregnancy because of damage to the fallopian tubes.

Even if symptoms go away, finish taking all of the prescribed medicine. This will help prevent the infection from returning.

Get reevaluated by your healthcare provider two to three days after starting treatment to be sure the antibiotics are working.

In addition, any sex partner(s) should be treated to decrease the risk of re-infection, even if the partner(s) has no symptoms.

Last Reviewed: October 2019