Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a common cause of pain in the pelvic region in women. In this condition, some of the female reproductive organs become inflamed, usually as a result of an infection. Young and sexually active women are most likely to be affected. PID may have no obvious symptoms, and some women are unaware that they have had the condition until, years later, they are investigated for infertility.


PID is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as gonorrhoea or chlarmydial infection. PID may also be caused by an infection developing after a termination of pregnancy or after childbirth. In rare cases, tuberculosis can develop in the pelvis.

The infection spreads upwards from the vagina to the uterus and fallopian tube. The ovaries may also be affected. An intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUD)makes this spread of infection more likely. If you think you may have an infection, tests will usually be performed so that you can be treated before PID develops. When PID is discovered during investigations for infertility, the original cause may remain unknown.

What are the symptoms?

PID may have no obvious symptoms, especially when caused by Chlamydia. If there are symptoms, they may include:

- Pain in the pelvic region.
- Fever.
- An abnormal vaginal discharge.
- Heavy or prolonged periods.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
- Tiredness.

If PID develops suddenly, you may have severe pain, nausea, and vomiting, and urgent hospital attention is required.

If the condition is not treated, the fallopian tubes may be damaged. The infection may also spread to other organs in the pelvis and the abdomen.

What might be done?

If your doctor suspects that you have PID, he or she will carry out a pelvic examination. Swabs may be taken from both the cervix and the vagina to identify the organisms causing the infection. Ultrasound scanning of the pelvis may also be performed. If you have severe symptoms, you will be admitted to hospital, and a laparoscopy may be performed to view the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Your doctor will probably prescribe antibiotics, which will be given intravenously if you are in hospital. You may also be given painkillers.

You should not have sexual intercourse until your recovery is complete. Your sexual partner should have tests to look for sexually transmitted infections and should be treated (if necessary to prevent a reinfection). If you use an IUD, you may be advised to change to a different method of contraception.

If PID is detected and treated early, you should make a complete recovery. If PID is not treated, damage to the fallopian tubes can increase the risk of having an ectopic pregnancy or may lead to infertility.