Frequently Asked Questions
PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID)


What is PELVIC INFLAMMATORY			Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a general term
DISEASE (PID)?					that refers to infection of the fallopian tubes (tubes 	
						that carry eggs from the ovary to the womb) and of 	
						other internal reproductive organs in women. PID 	
						occurs in women only and is a common and 	
						serious complication of some sexually transmitted 	
						diseases (STDs). 

How do women get PID?				PID occurs when bacteria move upward from a 	
						woman's vagina or cervix (opening to the uterus) 	
						into her reproductive organs. Many different 		
						organisms can cause PID, but many cases are 	
						associated with gonorrhea and chlamydia, two very 
						common bacterial STDs. A prior episode of PID 	
						increases the risk of another episode because the 	
						reproductive organs may be damaged during the initial 
						bout of infection.

What are the signs and				Symptoms of PID vary from none to severe. A woman
symptoms of PID?				may experience mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, 
						while serious damage is being done to her reproductive 
						organs. Because of vague symptoms, PID goes 	
						unrecognized by women and their health care 	
						providers about two thirds of the time. Women who 	
						have symptoms of PID most commonly have lower 	
						abdominal pain. Other signs and symptoms include 
						fever, an unusual vaginal discharge that may have a 
						foul odor, painful intercourse, painful urination, irregular 
						menstrual bleeding, and pain in the right upper 	
						abdomen (rare).

How is PID diagnosed?				PID is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms 	
						are often subtle and mild. The health care provider may 
						order tests to identify the infection-causing organism 
						(e.g., chlamydial or gonorrheal infection) or to 	
						distinguish between PID and other problems with 	
						similar symptoms. 

How is PID treated?				PID can be cured with several types of antibiotics. 	
						However, antibiotic treatment does not reverse any 	
						damage that has already occurred to the reproductive 
						organs.

Who is at risk for PID?				Sexually active women in their childbearing years 	
						are most at risk. Those under age 25 are more likely to 
						develop PID than those older than 25. Women who 	
						douche or have an intrauterine device (IUD) may have 
						a higher risk of developing PID compared with women 
						who do not. 

What are the complications    			Without treatment, PID can cause permanent damage 
of PID?						to the female reproductive organs. Infection-	causing 
						bacteria can silently invade the fallopian tubes, causing 
						normal tissue to turn into scar tissue. This scar tissue 
						blocks or interrupts the normal movement of eggs into 
						the uterus. If the fallopian tubes are totally blocked by 
						scar tissue, sperm cannot fertilize an egg, and the 	
						woman becomes infertile. Infertility also can occur if the 
						fallopian tubes are partially blocked or even slightly 	
						damaged.

How can PID be prevented?			The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually 	
						transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual 	
						contact, or to be in a long-term mutually 		
						monogamous relationship with a partner who was 	
						tested and is known to be uninfected. 

						Latex or polyurethane male condoms, when used 	
						consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of 	
						transmission of most STDs. 

						Women can also prevent PID by getting early treatment 
						if they do get an STD.

For more information:				Call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 
						1-800-232-4636, TTY: 1-888-232-6348 In English en 
						Espaņol. 
 
 
 
Contact Number: STD Program, (302) 744-1050
Revised: 03/2007 Doc. # 35-05-20/07/03/12