Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Information Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an
infection. It affects a woman’s reproductive
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organs. PID can affect one or more of the
following:
• the uterus (where a baby grows during
pregnancy)
• the ovaries (where eggs are stored)
• the fallopian tubes (tubes that lead from
the ovaries to the uterus — see picture
below)
fallopian tubes
uterus
ovaries
Some facts about PID
• PID will affect about 1 out of every
7 women at some time in her life.
• PID affects about 1 million American
women each year.
• Of these 1 million American women,
between 250,000 and 350,000 are
hospitalized, and more than 100 die
from PID.
• About 70 percent of all women with
PID are under 25 years of age.
• PID is the leading cause of ectopic
(ek-TOP-ik) pregnancy, also known as
tubal pregnancy. This is a dangerous
situation, in which the pregnancy grows
in the fallopian tubes instead of the
uterus.
• PID is the leading preventable cause of
infertility (the inability to have children).
What causes PID?
PID is most often caused by a sexually
transmitted disease (STD) that has not
been treated or treated completely.
Chlamydia (kla-MIH-dee-ah) and gonorrhea
(gah-neh-REE-ah) are the STDs most often
linked to PID. They are spread through
unprotected sex (having sex without using
a condom).
If left untreated, PID spreads upward from
the cervix to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and
ovaries. PID can spread throughout the
pelvic area.
A woman can develop PID after having an
abortion, delivering a baby, or using an IUD
(intra-uterine device) for birth control. In
some cases, bacteria normally present in the
vagina can cause PID.
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 PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID)

What are the symptoms of PID? Ultrasound

Symptoms of PID may include: During an ultrasound, a small microphone-
• pain and tenderness over the lower belly like device is moved around on the outside
(abdomen) of the abdomen, inside the vagina, or both.
The device creates sound waves that are
• fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or more transformed into pictures on a screen. This
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• chills helps your doctor see if your organs are
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enlarged.
for Patients • vaginal discharge that has a strong odor
• tenderness of the cervix (during sex or Laparoscopy
a pelvic exam)
During this procedure, a small cut is made
• bleeding when you do not have your on your upper abdomen near the navel.
period Through this cut, a thin telescope is
• nausea and vomiting inserted. This lets the doctor see your
internal organs. A cut also is made in the
You may experience some or all of these
lower abdomen. A probe is inserted to
symptoms. Or you may not have any
remove tissue in this area. The tissue is sent
symptoms.
out to be tested.

How do you know if you have PID?

How is PID treated?
It is very difficult to diagnose PID because
If found early, PID can be treated with rest
many of its symptoms are like those of other
and antibiotics to fight the infection. If you
conditions, such as appendicitis or a bladder
are given antibiotics, you must take all of
infection. That is why it’s very important for
the medicine — even if you feel better
you to visit your doctor if you have any of
after just a few days. If you do not take all
the symptoms listed above.
of the medicine, the infection is likely to
To find out if you have PID, your doctor return. It will be more difficult to cure
will do a pelvic exam. He or she will ask you the second time.
questions about your symptoms and your
If you don’t feel somewhat better within
medical history. He or she also will ask
48 hours of beginning the antibiotics, call
about the sexual histories of you and your
your doctor. If you feel pain or tenderness,
partner(s). You will be tested for gonorrhea
ask your doctor what you can take for
and chlamydia. You may need additional
pain control.
tests or procedures, like an ultrasound or
laparoscopy (la-puh-ROSS-kuh-ee). If your PID is from an STD, it’s important
that your partner(s) be tested and treated, so
you are not re-infected.

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 PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID)
Follow-up
• You will be scheduled for a follow-up
visit. It is important to keep this
appointment.
• Do not have sex (intercourse) until your
antibiotic therapy is finished and you
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have seen your doctor for your follow-up
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for Patients appointment.
• Do not use tampons or take tub baths
for 2 weeks. Douching is never
recommended, especially after having PID.
Complications
Other problems you may have as a result
of PID are called complications. Women
who have had only 1 case of PID and were
treated early generally recover completely.
Their ability to have children usually is
not greatly affected. However, with each
new episode of PID, the risk of infertility
increases.
If PID is not treated early enough, the
infection can cause an abscess of the ovaries
and fallopian tubes. When this occurs, these
areas can fill up with pus. At this point,
medicine you take by mouth may not be
enough. You may need to be in the hospital
to have IV (intravenous) antibiotics. Your
doctor may schedule surgery to prevent the
abscess from bursting. An abscess that
bursts can cause severe complications, like
shock or even death.
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Can PID be prevented?
The only sure way to prevent PID is not to
have sex. Having only 1 sexual partner who
is free of STDs can greatly reduce your risk.
When used properly, barrier methods of
birth control, such as condoms (rubbers)
and spermicides, also can reduce the risk.
If you develop symptoms of an STD, it
is vital that you get tested and treated as
soon as possible to prevent it from
becoming PID.
Use condoms the right way
Except for not having sex (abstinence), latex
condoms give the best protection from
many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs),
including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Condoms are helpful only if used the right
way. Use a latex condom every time you
have sex. Always put the condom on before
the penis touches or enters the vagina. If
you or your partner has an allergy to latex,
you should use a polyurethane (plastic)
condom.
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How to use a condom • Immediately after ejaculation, hold the

condom firmly by the rim at the base of
Important steps for using condoms the the penis, and pull the penis and condom
right way: out of the vagina together while the penis
• Open the package carefully. is still erect.
• Hold the condom by the last 1/2 inch at • Look carefully at the condom to see if
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Information not sure, fill the condom with water to
for Patients • If the penis is uncircumcised, pull back
see if it leaks.
the foreskin.
• Discard the condom. Wrap it in tissue
• Place the condom on the tip of the penis.
and throw it away. Do not flush it down
• Unroll the condom to the base of the the toilet.
penis. Smooth out any extra air.
• Never re-use a condom.
• If you want or need to use lubricant
on the condom, only use water-based
lubricants like KY Jelly or Surgilube.
Do not use oil-based lubricants. They
can weaken condoms and cause them
to break. Do not use petroleum jelly,
cooking or vegetable oil, mineral or baby
oil, massage oil, butter or margarine,
or oil-based creams or lotions.

This educational material was developed by a team of women’s health care experts throughout
Pittsburgh, Pa., USA UPMC, including Magee-Womens Hospital, one of the first National Centers of Excellence in
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SYS325310 JPL/SZ REV 07/08 This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for
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