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May 20, 2012
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Overview

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is infection of a woman's reproductive organs. Infection spreads upward from the cervix to the uterus, Fallopian tubes, ovaries, and surrounding structures. Some of these conditions are also referred to as:

  • cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix);

  • salpingitis (inflammation of the Fallopian tubes);

  • endometritis (inflammation present in the lining tissues of the uterus); and

  • peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers most of the abdominal organs).

All of these conditions may be considered as specific diseases but many investigators group them together as variations of PID, especially if they are caused by either Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Bacteria can infect the Fallopian tubes and cause inflammation (salpingitis). When this happens, normal tissue can become scarred and block the normal passage of an egg, causing infertility. But if Fallopian tubes are partially blocked, an egg may implant outside the uterus and cause a dangerous condition called an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy can cause internal bleeding and even death. Scar tissue may also develop elsewhere in the abdomen and cause pelvic pain that can last for months or years.

  • The two most commonly involved bacteria that cause PID are Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, that cause the sexually transmitted diseases, chlamydia and gonorrhea.

  • PID can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Some women can be very ill and have severe pain and fever. Others can have no obvious symptoms or even appear ill. Thus, PID is not always easy to diagnose. But it is important for women to seek medical attention if they have any risk factors for PID or symptoms of PID.

  • PID affects more than 1 million women in the United States per year. Nearly 250,000 women are hospitalized annually because of PID.

  • Sexually active adolescent females and women younger than 25 years are at greatest risk, although PID can occur at any age.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Causes

Pelvic inflammatory disease is most frequently caused by bacteria that are transmitted through sexual contact and other bodily secretions. Bacteria that cause gonorrhea and chlamydia cause more than half of cases. Many studies suggest that a number of patients with PID and other sexually transmitted diseases are often infected with two or more infectious agents, and commonly these are Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Other organisms can also cause PID but are much less common.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Symptoms

If a woman has PID, she may have any of these symptoms:

  • Abdominal pain (especially lower abdominal pain) or tenderness
  • Back pain
  • Abnormal uterine bleeding
  • Unusual or heavy vaginal discharge
  • Painful urination
  • Painful sexual intercourse

Symptoms not related to the female reproductive organs include fever, nausea, and vomiting.

PID symptoms may be worse at the end of a menstrual period and during the first several days following a period.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Symptoms

If a woman has PID, she may have any of these symptoms:

Symptoms not related to the female reproductive organs include fever, nausea, and vomiting.

PID symptoms may be worse at the end of a menstrual period and during the first several days following a period.

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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Vaginal Infections Overview

Vaginal infections, or vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina that creates discharge, odor, irritation, or itching. It is difficult to diagnose because vaginitis has many causes. Women use a variety of over-the-counter medications to treat the itching, discharge, and discomfort of these conditions.

  • The vagina creates its own environment and maintains a balance among the normal bacteria found there and the hormonal changes in a woman's body. Vaginitis occurs when the vaginal ecosystem has been changed by certain medications such as antibiotics, hormones, contraceptive preparations (oral and topical), douches, vaginal medication, sexual intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases, stress, and change in sexual partners.
  • Some vaginal infections are transmitted through sexual contact, but others such as yeast infections probably are not. Vaginitis means inflammation and is oft...

Read the Vaginal Infections article »


Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease »

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an inflammatory disorder of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and adjacent pelvic structures.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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