Pelvic inflammatory disease - meaning and definition
AlsoPIDpelvic infectionpelvic inflammatory infection
Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.
Definition
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the upper reproductive organs, often caused by untreated STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
At a glance
- PID is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries.
- It is often caused by untreated STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
- Symptoms can include pelvic pain, pain during sex, bleeding between periods and fever, but it can be mild.
- It is treated with antibiotics, and early treatment matters.
- Repeated or untreated PID can raise the risk of long-term pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
In detail
PID happens when bacteria travel from the vagina or cervix into the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. Symptoms can include pelvic or lower abdominal pain, pain during sex, bleeding between periods and fever, but it can also be mild.
It is treated with antibiotics, and early treatment matters. Repeated or untreated PID can scar the fallopian tubes, raising the risk of long-term pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Regular STI testing helps prevent it.
In a sentence
- The GP suspected pelvic inflammatory disease and started antibiotics straight away.
- The health class explained how regular STI testing can help prevent PID.
Not to be confused with
- Endometriosis
Endometriosis also causes pelvic pain but is not an infection.
Common questions
What causes pelvic inflammatory disease?
PID happens when bacteria travel from the vagina or cervix into the upper reproductive organs. Untreated STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea are common causes.
Can PID affect fertility?
Repeated or untreated PID can scar the fallopian tubes, which raises the risk of infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Early antibiotic treatment lowers this risk. Anyone with pelvic pain should talk to a doctor or sexual health clinic.