Pelvic inflammatory disease
Overview
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection that affects a woman's womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries. It can affect anyone with a womb. If it's diagnosed early, it can be easily treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms
Not everyone with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) will have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, these may include: pain in the area between your tummy and thighs (pelvic pain) or in your lower tummypain felt deep inside when you have sexheavy or painful periods that are unusual for youbleeding between periods or after sexvaginal dischargethat looks, smells or feels unusual for you Your symptoms may start quickly over a few days, or develop slowly and get worse over time.
Causes
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is usually caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) likechlamydiaandgonorrhoea. But it can also be caused by common bacteria that live in the vagina. This is more likely to happen if: you've had PID beforeyou've previously given birth or had a miscarriage, as this can damage your cervix (the opening to your womb)you've had a coil (IUD or IUS) fitted, a hysteroscopy or an abortion, or any other procedure that opens up the cervix
Treatment
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is usually easy to treat if it's diagnosed early. If it's left untreated or the infection is severe, you may need to go to hospital. The main treatment is antibiotics. The doctor will usually give you an injection of antibiotics, and prescribe antibiotic tablets for you to take for 2 weeks. If you're in pain, taking an everyday painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help. If the GP thinks your symptoms were caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you may be referred to a sexual health clinic. The sexual health clinic will also contact your recent sexual partners to ask them to get tested. You'll be advised to stop having sex until: you and your sexual partners have finished any antibioticsyou no longer have symptomsyour test results show the infection has gone If you do have sex, you should use acondom.
Prevention
Condoms (safe sex); STI testing.
When to see a doctor
See GP/Sexual Health Clinic if: pelvic pain; recent STI risk; abnormal discharge.