Pelvic Inflammation
Women's Healthcare Center Amsterdam specializes in the treatment of pelvic inflammation, also known as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), a common problem in young women in their reproductive years.
Symptoms of PID or pelvic inflammatory disease often include lower abdominal pain, fever, changes in vaginal discharge, and a general feeling of being unwell. Untreated inflammation can lead to infertility and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Causes of PID, Pelvic Inflammation
PID is caused by the spread of microorganisms from the vagina and cervix to the uterine lining, fallopian tubes and adjacent areas. In 60% of cases, PID is caused by sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Pelvic inflammatory disease affects approximately 1 in 1,000 women each year. PID is more common in women living in urban areas during their reproductive years.
What does pelvic inflammatory disease involve?
The small pelvis is located between the hip joints, the tailbone and the pubic bone. Here are the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina.
Inflammation often begins in the fallopian tubes, also known as salpinges, and can spread to nearby tissues such as the ovaries, peritoneum, bladder, rectum, and uterus.
Complaints of PID, inflammation of the small pelvis
Symptoms of PID often start mildly and may go unnoticed. Common symptoms include:
- Pain in the lower abdomen, radiating to the legs
- Fever
- General feeling of illness
- Pain when urinating or having sex
- Changes in vaginal discharge
- Bleeding after intercourse
Treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease
Antibiotics are the most common treatment for PID. A combination of antibiotics is prescribed to kill bacteria and prevent complications such as infertility.
Patients often experience improvement within a few days of starting antibiotics, but it is important to complete the full course. If there is no improvement after 48 hours, a doctor should be consulted for other antibiotics.
In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary, particularly in the case of immune disorders, severe symptoms, antibiotic resistance, pregnancy, or the presence of an abscess.
Specialist in women's care
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