Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes. The bacteria which cause the infection usually travel into the uterus from the vagina or cervix (neck of the uterus).
PID is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection (the bacteria are passed on when you have sex).
A bacterium called chlamydia is the most common cause. Gonorrhoea is another quite common cause of PID. A mixture of chlamydia plus gonorrhoea sometimes occurs. Sometimes the bacteria can be in the cervix for quite some time without causing symptoms before traveling into the uterus. This is why some women develop PID weeks or months after having sex with an infected person.
A variety of bacteria that may live in the vagina sometimes cause PID. These may not be passed on by sexual contact.
Symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease?
Pain in the lower abdomen (pelvic area) is the most common symptom. It can range from mild to severe. Other symptoms that may also occur include:
Abnormal vaginal bleeding occurs in about 1 in 4 cases. This may be periods that are heavier than usual, or bleeding between periods, or bleeding after having sex.
1.Pain during sex.
2.Abnormal vaginal discharge.
3.Fever.
4.Low back pain.
Symptoms sometimes develop quickly. You can become quite unwell over a few days. Sometimes symptoms are mild and develop slowly. For example, you may just have a mild abdominal pain which may 'grumble on' for weeks.
In some cases no symptoms develop and you do not know that you are infected. However, you are still at risk of complications even if you have no symptoms at first.
Who gets pelvic inflammatory disease?
About 1 in 50 sexually active women in the UK develop PID each year. It is most common in women aged between 15 and 24. The risk of developing PID is higher if you have had:
a recent change of sexual partner. The risk goes up with the number of changes of partner.
1.a previous episode of PID.
2.a recent termination of pregnancy (abortion).
3.a recent operation to the uterus. For example, 4.a dilation and curettage.
5.an intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUD) inserted recently.
Can pelvic inflammatory disease be prevented?
1.Wearing a condom for those not ttc during sex helps to protect you from sexually transmitted infections. (For ladies ttc advisable to wash up after intercourse. Seminal fluid and abnormal sperm that flow out will stayed around the vagina might turn into bacteria & travel back to our uterus)
2. The risk of infection increases with the number of changes of sexual partner.