Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) refers to an infection of the fallopian tubes, uterus, or ovaries. It is not an STI, but most women who get STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhea end up developing PID.
How Do You Get It
If PID is not discovered or treated, it will spread through genital organs and lead to infertility, long-term pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and scarring in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.
What Are The Symptoms
Common symptoms include:
- Pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen; pain in the upper abdomen on the right.
- Bad-smelling or abnormally colored vaginal discharge.
- Pain during sex.
- Spotting (small amounts of bleeding) between periods.
- Chills or fever.
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Loss of appetite.
- Backache and perhaps even difficulty walking.
- Pain while peeing or peeing more often than usual.
How To Test For It
A pelvic exam will help a healthcare provider diagnose pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other infections will also be conducted because they often cause PID.
How To Get Rid Of It
You may be prescribed with antibiotics by your healthcare provider, and be asked to have bed rest and avoid having sex for a while. Advanced cases of PID may need surgery to repair or remove reproductive organs.
- Get tested if you think you may have been exposed to chlamydia or gonorrhea. Most cases of women with these STIs show no symptoms, and may develop PID without knowing it.
- Avoid douching and washing the inside of you vagina. Douching can increase the risk of PID by spreading the infection from the vagina into the uterus and fallopian tubes.
Untreated pelvic inflammatory disease may lead to serious, life-threatening complications.
Source:
https://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/book-excerpts/health-article/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/
