Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - Sexual Health Peer Resource Center

Pelvic inflammatory disease () is an infection of the upper reproductive tract in women (cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries). It is caused by a wide variety of sexually transmitted organisms, especially gonorrhea and chlamydia, and if left untreated can have serious or fatal complications. Bateria move upward from a woman’s vagina or cervix into the internal reproductive organs. affects more than 1 million women each year, of which around 100,000 become infertile.

Symptoms: Can be asymptomatic, goes unrecognized 2/3 of the time

Abdominal, cervical, and/or uterine pain
Fever
Pus-like vaginal discharge

Who is at risk?:

Women with STDs — especially gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Women at risk for STDs (multiple partners, partners with multiple partners).
Women with prior episodes of (They have increased risk of another episode because the body’s defenses are often damaged during the initial bout of infection).
Sexually active women under age 25 are more likely to develop than older women.
Women who douche.

Testing and Diagnosis: is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often mild and subtle. Many episodes are undetected because there are no precise tests for . Initial diagnoses can often be made based on a history of symptoms and on a pelvic exam, which shows evidence of . Cultures of cervical secretions will confirm an infection of the genital tract. An ultrasound can view enlarged fallopian tubes or an abscess. A laparoscopy (a minor surgical procedure in which a thin, flexible tube with a lightened end is inserted through a small incision in the lower abdomen, allowing the doctor to view the internal pelvic organs and take specimens for laboratory studies) may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment: can be cured with antibiotics, and prompt treatment can prevent severe damage to pelvic organs. Treatment does not reverse any damage already done. is usually treated with multiple antibiotics because more than one organism may be responsible. All medication must be taken to prevent reinfection, even if partners have no symptoms. Hospitalization or surgical intervention may be required in more serious cases.

Complications: Infection causing bacteria can causes normal tissue in the fallopian tubes to turn into scar tissue, which blocks or interrupts the normal movement of eggs into the uterus. About one in five women with become infertile, with increased chances of infertility after multiple episodes. A partially blocked or slightly damaged fallopian tube may cause a fertilized egg to get stuck in an ectopic pregnancy if the egg begins to grow. Ectopic pregnancy can rupture the fallopian tube, cause severe pain, internal bleeding, and even death. Scarring in pelvic structures can also lead to chronic pelvic pain.

Prevention: can be prevented by making safer choices to avoid initial STD infection, and with frequent testing for treatment of STDs. Safer choices include:

Always using barrier methods (male and female condoms, dental dams) during sex (oral, anal, and vaginal) and limiting number of sexual partners
Get tested with your partner and stay monogamous
Do not engage in sexual activities with anyone but yourself


	SHPRC	About SHPRC Sexual Beings Working Yesterday STDs Making Babies Not Babies
	General Menstrual Problems Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Toxic Shock Syndrome Urinary Tract Infections Vaginitis	Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Pelvic inflammatory disease () is an infection of the upper reproductive tract in women (cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries). It is caused by a wide variety of sexually transmitted organisms, especially gonorrhea and chlamydia, and if left untreated can have serious or fatal complications. Bateria move upward from a woman’s vagina or cervix into the internal reproductive organs. affects more than 1 million women each year, of which around 100,000 become infertile. Symptoms: Can be asymptomatic, goes unrecognized 2/3 of the time Abdominal, cervical, and/or uterine pain Fever Pus-like vaginal discharge Who is at risk?: Women with STDs — especially gonorrhea and chlamydia. Women at risk for STDs (multiple partners, partners with multiple partners). Women with prior episodes of (They have increased risk of another episode because the body’s defenses are often damaged during the initial bout of infection). Sexually active women under age 25 are more likely to develop than older women. Women who douche. Testing and Diagnosis: is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often mild and subtle. Many episodes are undetected because there are no precise tests for . Initial diagnoses can often be made based on a history of symptoms and on a pelvic exam, which shows evidence of . Cultures of cervical secretions will confirm an infection of the genital tract. An ultrasound can view enlarged fallopian tubes or an abscess. A laparoscopy (a minor surgical procedure in which a thin, flexible tube with a lightened end is inserted through a small incision in the lower abdomen, allowing the doctor to view the internal pelvic organs and take specimens for laboratory studies) may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment: can be cured with antibiotics, and prompt treatment can prevent severe damage to pelvic organs. Treatment does not reverse any damage already done. is usually treated with multiple antibiotics because more than one organism may be responsible. All medication must be taken to prevent reinfection, even if partners have no symptoms. Hospitalization or surgical intervention may be required in more serious cases. Complications: Infection causing bacteria can causes normal tissue in the fallopian tubes to turn into scar tissue, which blocks or interrupts the normal movement of eggs into the uterus. About one in five women with become infertile, with increased chances of infertility after multiple episodes. A partially blocked or slightly damaged fallopian tube may cause a fertilized egg to get stuck in an ectopic pregnancy if the egg begins to grow. Ectopic pregnancy can rupture the fallopian tube, cause severe pain, internal bleeding, and even death. Scarring in pelvic structures can also lead to chronic pelvic pain. Prevention: can be prevented by making safer choices to avoid initial STD infection, and with frequent testing for treatment of STDs. Safer choices include: Always using barrier methods (male and female condoms, dental dams) during sex (oral, anal, and vaginal) and limiting number of sexual partners Get tested with your partner and stay monogamous Do not engage in sexual activities with anyone but yourself