PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASES AND YOU.

April 22, 2022

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. It most often occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria spread from your vagina to your uterus, Fallopian tubes or ovaries.

The signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease can be subtle or mild. Some women don't experience any signs or symptoms. As a result, you might not realize you have it until you have trouble getting pregnant or you develop chronic pelvic pain.

SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease might be mild and difficult to recognize. Some women don't have any signs or symptoms. When signs and symptoms of PID are present, they most often include:

Pain — ranging from mild to severe — in your lower

abdomen and pelvis

Abnormal or heavy vaginal discharge that may have an unpleasant odor

Abnormal uterine bleeding, especially during or after intercourse, or between menstrual cycles

Pain during intercourse

Fever, sometimes with chills

Painful, frequent or difficult urination

CAUSES FIBROID

Many types of bacteria can cause PID, but gonorrhea or chlamydia infections are the most common. These bacteria are usually acquired during unprotected sex.

Less commonly, bacteria can enter your reproductive tract anytime the normal barrier created by the cervix is disturbed. This can happen during menstruation and after childbirth, miscarriage or abortion. Rarely, bacteria can also enter the reproductive tract during the insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) — a form of long-term birth control — or any medical procedure that involves inserting instruments into the uterus.

RISK FACTORS