Understanding pelvic inflammatory disease in women

A condition known as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the organs of a woman’s reproductive system.  It is a condition affecting up to 2.5 million American women and can cause infertility and chronic abdominal pain, according to research from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.  The survey ran from 2013 to 2014 and included almost 1,200 women between the ages of 18 and 44.

Findings from the study showed that women who have had 10 or more male sexual partners, had a three times greater risk of PID than women who have had sex with just a single partner.

What is pelvic inflammatory disease?

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection caused by bacteria of the female reproductive organs which includes the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.  A woman’s cervix is the narrow passage forming the lower end of the uterus. It normally prevents bacteria in the vagina from entering into the uterus and spreading to the other organs.  But, when the cervix has been exposed to sexually transmitted infections (STI) such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, it can become infected.  The bacteria will travel from the vagina into the cervix to the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries spreading the infection throughout. 

Infections from bacteria are not solely caused by multiple sexual encounters.   Other causes could be from the following:

·      Childbirth

·      Miscarriage

·      Abortion

·      Endometrial biopsy

·      Getting an intrauterine device (IUD)

·      Sex before the age of 20

·      Unsafe sex practices or not using a condom

·      Douching regularly which can flush the bacteria up into the genital tract

A woman with PID is at a higher risk for infertility due to damage to the fallopian tubes making it difficult to conceive.  PID can also result in chronic pelvic pain and an ectopic pregnancy.  An ectopic pregnancy is when the embryo implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus.

Symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease

The symptoms of PID may not be the same in every woman as it can cause different symptoms in different women.  Some women may not experience any symptoms whatsoever.  Here are some possible symptoms a woman may with PID:

·      A dull pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen

·      Vaginal discharge that is usually yellow or green and may have a foul smell

·      Irregular menstrual periods, such as extra-long periods, spotting or cramps throughout the month

·      Chills, high fever, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting

·      Pain during sex

·      Low back pain

·      Painful or burning sensation during urination

How is it diagnosed and treated?

Any woman who has any of the symptoms associated with PID needs to see her doctor right away.  Diagnosis of PID is determined by performing a pelvic exam, swabbing the area and having it tested.  The sooner PID is diagnosed, the sooner a woman can be treated to reduce the spread of the infection causing more pain and damage.

Treatment for PID is a prescription antibiotic as there is no over-the-counter medications that will get rid of it.  It is important to take the medication exactly as the doctor prescribes.  Not taking it as directed or failing to take the entire dose will not kill off the bacteria completely allowing the symptoms to get worse.  The sexual partner of any woman who is treated for PID that has been caused by an STI, must be treated also.  If the woman’s partner is not treated, she can get infected again. 

Preventing pelvic inflammatory disease

There are several things a woman can do to reduce her risk of developing PID:

·      Limit the number of sexual partners

·      Always use a condom

·      Progesterone-containing birth control pills or IUDs can help thicken cervical mucus slowing bacteria from traveling into the reproductive tract.

·      Sexually active women under the age of 25 should be screened annually for STIs.