Causes of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
PID is caused by the spread of microorganisms from the vagina and cervix to the uterine lining, fallopian tubes, and surrounding structures. In 60% of cases, PID is usually caused by the spread of bacteria.
Pelvic inflammatory disease affects approximately 1 in 1,000 women annually. PID is more common among women in urban areas during their reproductive years.
What does pelvic inflammatory disease involve?
The pelvis is located between the hip bones, the coccyx, and the pubic bone. The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina are located here.
Inflammation often starts in the fallopian tubes and can spread to nearby tissues such as the ovaries, peritoneum, bladder, rectum, and uterus.
Symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Symptoms of PID often start mildly and can go unnoticed. Common symptoms include:
- Lower abdominal pain that may radiate to the legs
- Fever
- General feeling of illness
- Pain during urination or intercourse
- Changes in vaginal discharge
- Bleeding after sexual 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 no improvement occurs after 48 hours, a doctor should be consulted for other antibiotics.
In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary, particularly in cases of compromised immunity, severe symptoms, antibiotic resistance, pregnancy, or the presence of an abscess.
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