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STD Information » Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Option 1  Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Quick Snapshot

  • Can it be cured?

    Yes and No
    Gonorrhea is easily treated with a course of antibiotics

  • Type of Infection

    Bacterial
    Gonorrhea is caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium

  • How is it treated?

    Antibiotics
    A single Cefixime, Ceftriaxone, or Cephalosporin

 
  • Recovery Time

    Upto 1 week
    One to two weeks can be needed for symptoms to fully disappear

  • Can I have sex?

    No
    Sexual activity should be avoided until treatment is successful

  • Can I get re-infected?

    Yes
    Re-infection is possible from sexual activity with an infected person

 

Overview

Pelvic inflammatory disease, PID, refers to inflammation and infection of the main female reproductive organs. It can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and other reproductive organs. PID is caused by bacteria and is most commonly a complication of gonorrhea or Chlamydia. PID can cause infertility and is considered the most common preventable way of becoming infertile.

How is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) diagnosed?

Though symptoms of PID can mirror other illnesses, if you suspect PID, you should seek prompt medical attention. Your doctor will likely perform some or all of the following procedures to determine if you have PID or something else:

  • Test for bacterial infections including gonorrhea and Chlamydia
  • Pelvic exam
  • Physical exam
  • Laparoscopy
  • Endometrial biopsy

How is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) treated?

Initially, treatment of PID is through antibiotics to treat the initial infection - often physicians use multiple antibiotics in order to be certain the infection at the root of the problem is cured. Under certain circumstances, including severe illness or pregnancy, treatment in the hospital may be recommended.

Important note

Be sure to take all the medication your doctor prescribes, even if your symptoms go away!

 

Recovery Time

Recovery from PID itself is determined by the recovery time associated with treatment of the initial infection. However, the damage caused by PID is generally permanent.

Sexual Activity

To avoid bacterial transmission, it is important to refrain from sexual activity during the course of your treatment and until both you and your partner are determined to be free from infection.

Partners and Re-infection

It is important that your sexual partners are tested and treated for any sexually transmitted diseases, as a re-infection could cause PID again.

Symptoms

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Symptom Checker

People with PID often show no symptoms, the most common one displayed is pain in the lower abdominal area. Other symptoms can include:

  • Fever
  • Irregular menstrual bleeding
  • Pain during sex
  • Painful urination
  • Vaginal discharge, possibly with a strange odor

Transmission

While PID itself is not contagious, the infections that cause it are passed during sexual contact, including:

  • Anal Sex
  • Oral Sex
  • Vaginal Sex

Complications

Timely treatment of the bacterial infections that lead to PID can prevent most complications. If PID is allowed to progress, it can cause permanent scarring of the fallopian tubes, which can lead to:

  • Ectopic (tubal) pregnancies
  • Infertility
  • Persistent pelvic pain