Women's Health

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is an infection of the upper reproductive organs, uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries. It usually starts as an untreated infection (often chlamydia or gonorrhea) that travels upward. Early treatment is critical to prevent long-term complications.

• Untreated STIs, chlamydia and gonorrhea cause most cases
• Normal vaginal bacteria moving upward (after childbirth, miscarriage, abortion, IUD insertion, or procedures)
• Douching, can push bacteria upward
• Untreated BV in some cases

• Lower abdominal or pelvic pain (mild to severe)
• Unusual or heavier discharge, sometimes with odor
• Pain or burning with urination
• Pain with sex
• Bleeding between periods or after sex
• Fever, chills, fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting (severe cases)
• Some people have no symptoms at all, this is why STI screening matters.

PID can scar the fallopian tubes, leading to:

• Infertility, 1 in 8 women with PID has trouble conceiving
• Ectopic pregnancy, scarred tubes increase the risk significantly
• Chronic pelvic pain, in 1 in 3 cases
• Risk increases with each episode, early treatment is everything.

• Combination of antibiotics (usually 2 or more), oral and/or injectable
• Treatment typically lasts 14 days, finish the full course even if you feel better
• Partners need to be tested and treated to prevent reinfection
• Severe cases may require hospitalization for IV antibiotics
• Abscess or no improvement may need surgical drainage

• Regular STI testing, especially for chlamydia and gonorrhea (annual if sexually active under 25 or with new partners)
• Use condoms
• Treat STIs promptly, don't wait
• Make sure partners are tested and treated
• Don't douche
• Limit number of sexual partners

• Severe lower abdominal pain
• Fever above 101°F (38.3°C)
• Foul-smelling discharge
• Vomiting and can't keep fluids down
• Pregnancy with these symptoms, go to the ER