PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID) BY DR EMORINKEN KELVIN

‘Untreated sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious condition, in women. 1 in 8 women with a history of PID experience difficulties getting pregnant. You can prevent PID if you know how to protect yourself’. (CDC FACT SHEET)

 Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of a female’s reproductive organs. It is a complication often caused by some STDs, like Chlamydia and gonorrhea. Other infections that are not sexually transmitted can also cause PID

It usually occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria spread from your vagina to your uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries.

CAUSE

Pelvic inflammatory disease can be caused by a number of bacteria commonly gonorrhea or Chlamydia infections. These bacteria are usually acquired during unprotected sex.
Less commonly, bacteria may enter your reproductive tract anytime the normal barrier created by the cervix is disturbed. This may happen after intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) insertion, childbirth, miscarriage or abortion.

HOW DO I GET PID? (RISK FACTORS)

The following factors may increase your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease;

·       Being a sexually active woman younger than 25 years old

·       Having multiple sexual partners

·       Having sex without a condom

·       Having had an IUCD inserted recently

·       Previous history of Pelvic inflammatory disease or sexually transmitted infection.

·       Being in a sexual relationship with a person who has more than one sex partner

·       Douching regularly

SYMPTOMS

 You may not realize you have a PID because your symptoms may be mild, or you may not experience any symptoms. However, if you do have symptoms, you may notice;

• Lower abdominal pain
• Unusual discharge with a bad odor from your vagina;
• Pain and/or bleeding when you have sex;
• Burning sensation when you urinate; or
• Bleeding between periods.
• Fever
• Nausea /vomiting

Promptly see your doctor if you notice these symptoms and be examined accordingly. Necessary test will be conducted by your doctor.

Pelvic inflammatory disease is often difficult to identify because the symptoms seem like those of other conditions, such as appendicitis, urinary tract infections, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis.

COMPLICATIONS

If PID is not treated, it can cause serious problems, such as 

·       Infertility

Formation of scar tissue both outside and inside the fallopian tubes that can lead to tubal blockage; this could lead to inability of the female to get pregnant.

·       Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb);

·       Long-term pelvic/abdominal pain

The more times a woman has PID, the greater are her chances of becoming infertile.

TREATMENT

Ensure you present to a doctor early; the longer you wait to get treated, the more likely it is that you will have complications from PID.It is important to note that damage done by PID may be irreversible if treatment is delayed

See your doctor who will make proper diagnosis and place you on recommended antibiotics and possibly analgesic for pain.

During this period you need bed rest and abstain from sex

In more developed cases of PID, surgery may be needed to repair or remove reproductive organs.

During the course of treatment:

·       Take all of the prescribed medicine.

·       Ensure you take complete treatment even after symptoms have subsided.

·       Drink lots of fluids, and eat a healthy diet.

·       Do not douche or use tampons.

·       Ensure your partner gets tested and treated even if he has no symptoms.

·       Do not have sex until you and your partner(s) have finished all the medicine, have been examined, and know that treatment is complete.

PREVENTION

The only way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting PID:

·       Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and has negative STD test results;

·       Practice safer sex.

Since PID can be sexually transmitted, using a latex or female condom can reduce the risk of PID.

·       Don't douche.

Douching upsets the balance of bacteria in your vagina.

 It can spread infections from the vagina into the uterus and fallopian tubes, increasing the risk of PID.

·       If you think you may have been exposed to Chlamydia or gonorrhea, get tested.

 Most women with these sexually transmitted infections have no symptoms and may develop PID without knowing it.

·       Wipe from front to back after urinating or having a bowel movement to avoid introducing bacteria from your colon into the vagina.

·       Ensure your partner get tested and treated.

Birth Control and PID

The birth control pills offer some protection against pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). They thicken mucus in the cervix and prevent other infections from reaching the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. They do not protect against sexually transmitted infections of the cervix and vagina.

Appreciation

www.cdc.gov/std (CDC fact sheet)