Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an inflammatory disorder in women due to the infection of reproductive organs. The common organs that get infected with this disease include the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. PID is mainly caused by sexually transmitted infections.
Early diagnosis and proper treatment can help reduce signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease.
What Signs Show That I Have PID?
The following are the common signs of PID:
- Little or severe pain in the abdomen region
- Chills and fever
- Pain and bleeding during sexual intercourse
- Unusual discharge from the vagina that is yellow or green in colour and produces an abnormal odour
- Signs of nausea and vomiting
- Burning sensation during urination
- Irregular periods and heavy cramps
- Pain in the upper right abdomen, which is a very rare sign of PID
The symptoms of PID may be unnoticed or they can be mild. However, those signs occur suddenly. Being aware of these signs helps you react quickly and take immediate measures to prevent the disease.
How Do I Get PID?
PID can be caused due to various reasons such as the following:
- You have a sexually transmitted disease (STD), but did not get treatment for it
- Having sex with more than one partner
- If your partner has sexual intercourse with other partners
- If you had PID earlier
- If you are of age 25 or younger and are sexually active
- Use of douche either for medical or hygiene reasons
How Does PID Affect Me?
If PID is left untreated, it can damage your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. All these organs play a vital role in pregnancy, and damage to these organs can make you infertile. It can also block the fallopian tube due to the formation of scar tissue in the fallopian tubes. It can also lead to Tubovarian Abscess (TOA), an infection that occurs in the pelvis.
If PID is left untreated for a long time, it can be very painful and can make you very sick. It can also cause long-term pain in the abdomen and pelvic area.
When Should I Visit Doctor for PID?
You should consider visiting a doctor if you experience the following:
- If you or your partner is suspected to the exposure of STD
- Bleeding between periods
- Abnormal smell from vaginal discharge
- Severe pain in the lower abdomen
- High fever
Even if your signs or symptoms are mild, you should consider visiting a doctor at the earliest possible. If you experience these signs, stop being sexually active and consult your doctor immediately.
How is PID Diagnosed?
The doctor will ask you about your sexual life, history of STD, the symptoms you are experiencing, etc. The doctor may conduct a pelvic test to know if there is any swelling in the pelvic area. Fluid samples from the vagina and cervix may also be collected and sent to a lab to look for any infections.
Blood tests and urine tests may also be conducted to know the count of WBC, pregnancy, any sexually transmitted infections, etc. To have a clear picture of your reproductive organs, an ultrasound may be used. If these diagnoses do not determine PID cause, laparoscopy and endometrial biopsy might be performed.
What are the Treatment Options for PID?
The treatment options for PID include the following:
- Antibiotics may be prescribed based on the cause of the infection. You need to make an appointment with your doctor after three days to ensure the treatment works well.
- Your partner should be examined for STDs to prevent further infection due to sexually transmitted infection
- Avoiding sexual intercourse until the signs get prevented
- IV medications if you are pregnant, or you have a severe infection and puss get accumulated in your fallopian tube or ovary
PID Affecting Your Fertility? Angels Fertility Can Help
If your PID is stopping you from being pregnant, Angels Fertility is your right stop. At Angels Fertility, we have been helping infertile couples with different problems to have a healthy child. When you visit us, we discuss your signs and determine the cause of PID to suggest the required treatment. You can count on us for PID treatment. To know more, call us today.