Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Specialists in Karnataka
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the female reproductive organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, most commonly resulting from …
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What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the female reproductive organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, most commonly resulting from sexually transmitted bacteria that ascend from the vagina and cervix into the upper reproductive tract. It can range from a mild, subtle infection to a severe illness causing abscess formation and significant pelvic pain. If left untreated or inadequately treated, it can lead to serious long-term complications including chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility due to scarring of the fallopian tubes.
Moderate
Common — affects a significant number of women of reproductive age, particularly those under 25
No
Causes of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Most commonly caused by sexually transmitted bacteria, particularly chlamydia and gonorrhea, which ascend from the lower genital tract into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners, unprotected intercourse, a prior history of pelvic inflammatory disease or sexually transmitted infection, young age at first intercourse, and recent insertion of an intrauterine device. Delayed treatment of lower genital tract infections significantly increases the risk of ascending infection.
Symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Lower abdominal or pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal discharge often with an unpleasant odor, pain during intercourse, irregular menstrual bleeding, fever and chills, pain or burning during urination, nausea and vomiting in more severe cases, in some cases, mild or no symptoms at all
Treatment & Types of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in Karnataka
Prompt treatment with a course of antibiotics targeting the likely causative bacteria is essential to prevent long-term complications, and is typically started even before definitive test results return given the risk of delay. Sexual partners should also be tested and treated to prevent reinfection. Severe cases with abscess formation or failure to improve with antibiotics may require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics or, rarely, surgical drainage.
Pelvic inflammatory disease is classified by severity from mild, subtle infection that may cause few noticeable symptoms, to severe illness involving abscess formation and significant pelvic pain. It can also be classified as acute, a distinct new infection episode, or as having chronic sequelae, referring to the long-term complications like scarring that can develop after inadequately treated infection.
Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists in Karnataka (0)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can pelvic inflammatory disease affect my ability to have children later?
Yes, if left untreated or inadequately treated, PID can cause scarring of the fallopian tubes leading to chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, or infertility, which is why prompt treatment is so important.
Does my partner need to be treated too?
Yes, sexual partners should be tested and treated even if they have no symptoms, since untreated partners can reinfect and perpetuate the cycle of infection.
Can PID occur without any symptoms?
Yes, some cases involve mild or no symptoms at all, which can delay diagnosis and treatment and increase the risk of long-term complications like infertility developing silently.
Is PID always caused by an STI?
Most commonly yes, particularly chlamydia and gonorrhea, though other bacteria can occasionally ascend into the upper reproductive tract and cause the infection as well.
How urgently should PID be treated?
Treatment with antibiotics should begin promptly, often even before definitive test results return, since delayed treatment significantly increases the risk of long-term reproductive complications.