PID [infection Of Uterus]

PID [Infection of Uterus]

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a condition that infects the female upper genital tract, which comprises the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Though PID is a prevalent condition, its precise prevalence in the UK is not clear. It mainly occurs in sexually active women aged 15-24 years.

Symptoms of PID

Most of the time, PID is asymptomatic or has mild symptoms. But when symptoms do manifest, they can be:

• Pelvic or lower abdominal pain
• Pain or discomfort on deep penetration during intercourse
• Painful urination
• Irregular bleeding between periods or following sexual intercourse
• Heavy or painful menstrual flow
• Unusual vaginal discharge, especially if yellow or green in color

In extreme cases, people can have:

• Intense lower abdominal pain
• High fever
• Nausea and vomiting

When to Seek Medical Advice

You should always seek the advice of a General Practitioner (GP) or sexual health clinic if you develop any of the above symptoms. If there is severe pain, medical attention must be sought at the same day GP or the local Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. Failure to seek appropriate and timely treatment or repeated attacks of PID can lead to serious long-term complications.

There is no one test to diagnose PID. Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation, tenderness elicited on an internal (vaginal) examination, and laboratory investigations. Vaginal and cervical swabs can be done, but a negative test does not exclude PID.

Causes of PID

PID is most commonly due to bacterial infections that are transmitted from the vagina or cervix to the upper reproductive tract. In about 25% of the cases, the infection is associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) like chlamydia or gonorrhea. In some cases, it is due to bacteria that normally inhabit the vaginal flora.

Treatment of PID

Early diagnosis of PID can be cured with a 14-day course of antibiotics. Oral antibiotics and an injectable antibiotic are usually prescribed to kill the most likely infections. Completion of the full course of antibiotics is important, and sexual abstinence during treatment is necessary for recovery. Recent sexual partners also need to be tested and treated to avoid reinfection and transmission.

Complications of PID

If not treated, PID can cause serious complications, such as:

• Chronic pelvic pain
• Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus)
• Infertility resulting from scarring of the fallopian tubes
• Development of abscesses in the reproductive tract

Early treatment and diagnosis are necessary to reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Prevention of PID

Practice of safe sex greatly minimizes the risk of contracting PID. Avoiding unsafe sex with casual sex partners until a sexual health screening has been obtained is recommended strongly. Chlamydia is a typical STI for younger men that comes with few signs, hence repeated testing is key. When a suspected STI is perceived, seek services in a genitourinary medicine (GUM) or a sexual health clinic for guidance and testing by medical professionals.

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