Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

21.02.2011 | By: S. K.

Pelvic inflammatory disease causes severe pains in the lower abdomen and it is the most common cause for infertility in the USA. If it is not detected soon enough, it is incurable.

PID is the most common cause for pains in the lower abdomen. (Photoxpress)

You can find more advice on vaginal infections in the Encyclopedia of Sexuality.

What is a pelvic inflammatory disease?

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the female genitals, particularly the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the uterus. It is the most common cause for pains in the lower abdomen. Along with the pain, symptoms are abnormal vaginal discharge, nausea, vomiting, fever, pain during sexual intercourse, lower back pains, and bleeding between periods. PID most commonly develops among the younger, sexually active women and women who have intra-uterine contraceptive device.

A number of infected women have no symptoms, so the condition goes undetected. The condition may only be evident when a woman wants to get pregnant, but she cannot conceive due to PID infection. Pelvic inflammatory disease is the most common cause for infertility in the USA. If the disease is detected soon enough, it can be treated. If damage has already been done to the fallopian tubes, the disease is incurable.

The development of the disease

The disease usually develops when sexually transmitted bacteria spread from the vagina to the uterus and the upper part of the genitals. PID can also be the result of two sexually transmitted infections, chlamydia and gonorrhea. The disease spreads from the vagina to the ovaries and the uterus.

Condoms and diaphragms offer protection for women against PID infection. Women who wash the vagina are more exposed to infections, because the bacteria may spread deeper into the genitals due to showering. Showering also disrupts vaginal pH and consequently the natural immune system of mucous membrane.

PID can be detected on the basis of symptoms, gynaecological examinations, and by taking a sample of discharge from the vagina and cervix. The infection can also be detected by blood tests. The tests determine the bacteria that caused an infection. The usual treatment for PID are antibiotics. To prevent further infections, both sexual partners need to be tested and treated. Until the woman is cured, she must abstain from any sexual relations.