An Overview Of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

What if a silent reproductive infection could jeopardise your plans of starting a family? You heard that right! Here is one such condition-Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)- that can significantly affect your reproductive health and fertility. It is a condition that often appears without warning, having little or no obvious symptoms.¹ PID may range from low abdominal pain to unexpected vaginal discharge and often goes unnoticed until it becomes a cause for serious concern. 

In this article, let’s learn everything about pelvic inflammatory disease, its causes, symptoms, and treatments.

What Is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?

Pelvic inflammatory disease commonly known as PID, is one of the major health issues that affect the women's reproductive organs, primarily the uterus, the fallopian tubes, and the ovaries. Normally, it is caused by a bacterial infection that develops from the vagina and the cervix towards the upper reproductive organs.¹

How Frequently Does PID Occur? 

Believe it or not, globally, over 1 million women (aged between 15 - 25 years) deal with PID every year ^{1 2}. However, many do not even know that they have it because the symptoms could be super mild or even do not exist at first ¹.  And therefore, attending check-ups regularly is a must, at least when sexually active.

Who’s At Risk For PID?

You could be more vulnerable if you ³:

• Are under 25 and sexually active
• Have sex with more than one partner (or if your partner does)
• Have had a previous STI
• Don't use condoms during sex
• Douche, which can push unwanted bacteria further into your reproductive system.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Causes

Pelvic inflammatory disease mainly occurs due to the spread of bacterial infections from the lower genital tract to the reproductive organs, specifically the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Other causes include:^{1 3}

• Sexually transmitted infections: STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea can infect the cervix and sometimes even spread to the upper reproductive organs, causing PID.
• Douching: This practice can push harmful bacteria from the vagina up into the reproductive organs, where they destroy the natural balance of vaginal bacteria and increase the risk of PID.
• Intrauterine Device (IUD): IUD insertion can be considered to provoke PID immediately following the procedure. That being said, this is a relatively low incidence if proper STI screening is done beforehand. 
• Medical Procedures: Any invasive procedure that affects the uterus, like pelvic surgery or miscarriage, may also introduce bacteria leading to pelvic inflammatory disease.

Now that we’ve covered the causes, let’s look at the symptoms that indicate PID.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) are usually mild and easily overlooked. However, you may also experience: ^{3 4}

• Pain in your lower belly
• Abnormal vaginal discharge or odour.
• Unusual bleeding (after sex or between periods)
• Painful urination or intercourse
• Fever or chills 

How Long Does It Take To Have Symptoms Of PID?

Pelvic inflammatory disease symptoms usually appear after a person is diagnosed with an STD, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. Many will take up to a year to develop PID, while others may experience it quickly. Nevertheless, it all depends upon the severity of the infection. ⁵

How Is PID Diagnosed?

PID is diagnosed with a physical examination, where a doctor checks for signs of infection around the reproductive area. ^{5 6}

Other laboratory tests involve vaginal or cervical swabs that help identify the causative bacteria. And ultrasound imaging is used to produce images of the inner organs to see if there is any inflammation. ^{5 6}

Complications Related To Untreated PID

The overlooked symptoms and untreated pelvic inflammatory disease can negatively affect a woman's reproductive health and quality of life. The consequences can range from the following list of complications: ⁶

• Infertility: PID may cause scarring in the fallopian tubes, greatly contributing to infertility among women. Scar tissues may interfere with either the path of a sperm and egg or prevent a fertilised egg from directly reaching into the uterus.
• Ectopic Pregnancy: Scarring or blockage of the fallopian tube may also cause an ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilised egg implants somewhere other than the uterus (most likely in a tube). It is lethal and always requires prompt treatment.
• Chronic Pelvic Pain: Inflammation and scar tissue can cause chronic pelvic pain. It may be severe and last for months or years.
• Abscess Formation: Abscesses are miniature pockets of fluid infection that develop mainly in the fallopian tube and ovaries. They are painful and may break open to cause further damage to the reproductive organs.

How Is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Treated?

Usually, the treatment of PID involves antibiotics to eradicate an infection or intravenous antibiotics in more complicated cases. Furthermore, if an abscess forms in the fallopian tubes or ovaries, doctors may advise surgery for the removal of the infection to prevent further complications from developing. ³

Tips To Prevent Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Here are some steps that can prevent your risk for PID:³

• Practice Safe Sex: Most cases of PID are due to unprotected intercourse. Use barrier methods, like condoms, during sexual contact to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases that lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Limit Sexual Partners: More than one partner increases the chance of STIs which consequently lead to PID. Therefore you should always limit sexual intercourse with multiple partners.
• Seek Medical Attention: If you are ever experiencing unusual discharge or pelvic pain, always seek emergency treatment.
• Schedule Routine Follow-Ups: Routine gynaecological exams will help in tracking cervical infections at an early stage before they become contagious. Also to prevent the risk of PID, annual chlamydia and gonorrhoea screenings are generally advised for sexually active partners.

When To See A Doctor?

You should visit your doctor if you have symptoms like pelvic pains, abnormal vaginal discharges, pains while urinating, or during sexual intercourse, and bleeding between periods. Seeing your doctor helps prevent any further complications early on. ³

Conclusion

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious condition that may quietly harm your reproductive health unless caught early and treated on time. It can prevent problems such as infertility and chronic pain if diagnosed in time. Regular check-ups, safe sexual practices, and reporting other unusual symptoms as the initial signs are all ways to protect your reproductive health. Prioritising these preventive steps will support your long-term well-being and fertility.

Moreover, If you or your partner are experiencing any STD or STI symptoms, and want to take control of your sexual health, LifeCell’s at-home “Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test - Male & Female” can be of great aid. Our simple self-collection test kits will help in the detection of two common sexually transmitted infections that may lead to infertility if left untreated.

For more information, visit www.lifecell.in. 

FAQs

What Are The Causes Of PID?

Sexually transmitted bacteria, especially chlamydia and gonorrhoea are the leading causes of PID. Multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex, and douching are among the other causes. ^{1 3}

What Are 6 Symptoms Of PID?

The symptoms include lower abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal discharge, douching, burning, or discomfort during sex, Irregular menstrual bleeding, Fever and Painful urination. ³

Can Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Be Cured?

Yes, antibiotics can effectively cure PID, especially if the treatment is started early to prevent serious complications.³