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  1. STD facts
  2. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) facts

PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes and other reproductive organs.

Signs and symptoms

  • Symptoms can range from one to severe.
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Abnormal discharge from vagina
  • Burning or pain while peeing
  • Fever
  • Painful vaginal intercourse
  • Irregular menstruation

Transmission

  • PID occurs when bacteria move up from a woman's vagina or cervix into the uterus and/or fallopian tubes.
  • Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are the most common bacteria that cause PID.

Prevention

  • Abstain from oral, anal and vaginal sex.
  • Use condoms/barriers consistently and correctly during oral, anal or vaginal sex.
  • Maintain a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested for STDs and is not infected.
  • If you have an STD, get treated.
  • If you have an STD, make sure your partners are treated.

Treatment

  • See a health care provider for exam and tests to figure out the best treatment.
  • Treatment is medicines (antibiotics) prescribed by a health care provider.
  • Get a follow-up exam to make sure the treatment worked.
  • Severe cases may require hospitalization.

If not treated...

  • Permanent damage to reproductive organs
  • Infertility
  • Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy
  • Chronic pelvic pain

If you have PID...

  • Refrain from sex (oral, anal or vaginal sex) if you have symptoms.
  • Seek medical care, including STD tests.
  • Refrain from having sex until you have completed treatment.
  • Take all medicines prescribed, even if your symptoms are gone.
  • Re-test in 3 months.
  • Make sure sex partners get treated.
  • Get yearly STD screens if sexually active.
  • If pregnant, get tested for STDs and HIV.

Resources

For patients: