Categories English Gynecology Vivant

Concerned about Pelvic Inflammatory Disease? Here is what to do

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs, such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and the cervix.

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Such infections may be either caused by the vaginal bacteria or are due to sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.

What is your Risk for PID?

A pelvic inflammatory disease is most common in young women between the ages of 15 and 24. You are also at risk if you:

  • Are sexually active with more than one partner
  • Unprotected sex
  • Use douches
  • Have inserted intrauterine devices (IUD)
  • Have had a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
  • Have had PID before

How do you Know you have a Pelvic inflammatory disease?

Many women do not know that they have PID, as they may not experience any symptoms. However, if symptoms are experienced, they would be as follows:

  • Severe lower back pain
  • Pain in abdomen
  • Foul smelling vaginal discharge (often greenish or yellowish)
  • Pain during sex
  • Bleeding between cycles or after sex
  • Irregular periods
  • Pain when urinating
  • High fever

How is Pelvic inflammatory disease Treated?

PID, if recognized at an early stage, can be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. The antibiotic course is usually administered for a period of 14 days, during which avoiding intercourse is advised. It is also advisable to check with your doctor every two or three days. If PID is severe or if the patient is already pregnant while having PID, then hospitalization is advised. In view of preventing the spread of infection, your recent partner should be tested for infection and treated accordingly.

How can PID be Prevented?

As PID is not always caused by an STI, its prevention cannot always be warranted. However, you can lower your risk for PID by not douching and by not having intercourse. If you do have intercourse, take the following precautions:

  • Use condoms: They have been deemed the best way to prevent STIs. Make sure to put on a condom before sex. Other forms of birth-control pills or diaphragm cannot prevent the spread of infection.
  • Get tested: Make sure that you and your partner take up regular tests for STIs.
  • Be monogamous: Make sure to have only one sexual partner.
  • Do not douche: Douching destroys some of the beneficial bacteria that can help you prevent infection and instead spread foreign bacteria in your reproductive organs.

Remember that lifestyle factors like excessive drinking or taking drugs can alter your behavior and put you at risk for exposure to infections

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