What Is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman’s reproductive organs.

It happens when bacteria from your vagina and cervix spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries.

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

You can get PID anytime bacteria enter the reproductive tract.

Most often, PID is caused by the same bacteria that cause chlamydia and gonorrhea, which are sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These bacteria are usually spread during unprotected sex.

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 or an STI in the past
• Douche your vagina
• Have more than one sexual partner
• Have a partner who has more than one sexual partner

• Tenderness in your reproductive organs
• Pus near your ovaries or fallopian tubes
• Irregular discharge from your cervix or vagina

Your doctor may also order tests to help make a diagnosis. These tests may include:

• A test for STIs, which can cause PID
• A test for a urinary tract infection (UTI), which can be the source of pelvic pain
• An imaging test (such as an ultrasound or MRI) so your doctor can look for signs of PID

Prognosis

If you have a very serious infection that doesn’t improve with standard treatment using oral antibiotics, you may need to begin treatment with intravenous (IV) antibiotics — and, later, take additional antibiotic pills — or have surgery to repair or remove your reproductive organs.

You should avoid sexual intercourse until your PID has been effectively treated.

Prevention of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

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.

Asking Your Partner to Get Tested This can help prevent the spread of STIs.

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
• An abscess in the fallopian tubes or ovaries

  

Approximately 4.4 percent of women ages 18 to 44 have been diagnosed with PID at some point in their lives. This equates to about 2.5 million women in the United States.

Black and white women who have had an STI in the past report having PID at almost the same rates (10 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively).

• Infertility According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1 in 10 women with PID will become infertile because of scarring in the fallopian tubes.
• STIs Gonorrhea and chlamydia are the main causes of PID.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC’s comprehensive coverage of PID explains what this disease is and how it’s treated; it also outlines the possible complications that can occur and provides the latest statistics on the condition.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

ACOG is a trusted source for Everyday Health editors, with easy-to-understand info on PID, including a helpful glossary of terms.

Mayo Clinic

A go-to resource for Everyday Health editors, the Mayo Clinic has up-to-date info on the basics of PID, as well as what to expect from your healthcare provider and tips on coping with a PID diagnosis.

Additional reporting by Abigail Libers.