Pelvic pains aren’t just a warning sign from your body. They might be a symptom of PID. Every 1 izn 8 sexually active women in the United States experience PID-related troubles. But do you know what is PID? Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) arises from consistent pelvic issues like STIs and worsens gradually. Such pains increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy (when fertilized eggs implant and grow outside the uterus) and infertility by 60%. Let’s explore why early diagnosis and detection of PID are important for fertility.
What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?
To know what Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is, we must understand sexually transmitted infections. Bacteria leftover from sexual activities move from the lower vaginal tract to the pelvic region. PID further damages fallopian tubes and ovaries as pathogens travel up the body. Doctors use endometrial biopsy to check the uterus and fallopian tubes and diagnose PID. It is a public health hazard, with nearly 770,000 cases being recorded annually in the United States.
What are the Symptoms of PID?
Pelvic inflammatory disease has various symptoms. It starts as a mild discomfort. However, when left untreated, it can cause lifelong pain and complications. The most typical symptoms of PID are:
- Lower abdomen pain and cramps.
- Chronic Fever that comes and goes.
- Unusual vaginal discharge.
- Feeling intense pain while moving or during sexual intercourse
Most women only feel minor discomfort initially, which delays diagnosis. Recognizing these clues is necessary for women because even minor symptoms can lead to the onset of an enduring illness.
What Causes Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?
Many factors contribute to pelvic inflammatory disease. The most prevalent cause is sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea. Germs climb from sexual organs into the upper reproductive tract, creating discomfort. Ignoring these germs leads to pelvic inflammatory disease. Some more causes include invasive treatments like implanting intrauterine devices (IUDs), pelvic surgeries, and bacterial vaginosis. Using wrong birth control techniques is another major cause of PID.
Who’s at Risk for PID?
Pelvic inflammatory disease attacks women’s sexual organs like fallopian tubes, ovary, and uterus. While any woman is in danger of getting PID, younger and sexually active ladies are at a higher risk. Almost 50% of the cases are found in girls between the ages of 15-24.
Women with a history of sexually transmitted infections or multiple sexual partners face up to 6 times higher chance of catching pelvic inflammatory disease. To reduce the risk of PID and protect your reproductive health, schedule routine gynecologic checkups and seek prompt treatments.
How is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Diagnosed?
PID is an infection diagnosed by gynecologists or sexual health caretakers. Professionals test for it by examining the pelvic organs. First, the patient’s medical history is reviewed. This is followed by a complete physical examination of the pelvic organs. These tests measure the tenderness, swelling, and abnormal masses in the pelvic region. Then, ultrasound imaging is used to find collections of pus in the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
How is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Treated?
PID is generally treated with heavy antibiotic therapy. This tries to eliminate all the various types of bacteria inside the vaginal tract. Medicinal course to treat PID lasts around 14 days. Following the doctor’s advice and taking correct measures improves recovery rates drastically. When a large collection of pus or abscess formation is revealed in ultrasounds, endometrial biopsy is required. It is rightly said that prevention is better than cure. During treatment, patients must practice safe sex to prevent reinfection. Sexual partners must also get checked and seek timely treatment.
How to Prevent Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases?
The most effective way to prevent PID is to stay away from its causes. Sexually active women, especially those with multiple partners, should go for regular STI checkups to get diagnosed timely. Birth control alternatives such as oral contraceptives offer protection against PID, but others, including IUDs, increase their risk.
Using the right contraceptive and practicing safe sex eliminates the chances of catching sexually transmitted infections. If you experience signs like abnormal vaginal discharge or pelvic pain, seek medical help immediately to prevent developing pelvic inflammatory disease. Visiting a gynecologist regularly assists in protecting and improving reproductive health.
Long-Term Impact and Complications of PID
Leaving PID untreated can cause serious long-term issues. Women with untreated pelvic inflammatory disease suffer from intense pelvic pains and cramping. Untreated PID can cause the following complications:
- Ectopic Pregnancy: 7% of PID Patients suffer from ectopic pregnancies. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when an egg fertilizes outside of a woman’s uterus, in the fallopian tubes. It can be life-threatening.
- Infertility: 12-15% of women start facing reproductive problems after a single infection and PID. This risk increases as subsequent infections damage the pelvic area.
- Tubo-Ovarian Abscess: This is a severe stage of the infection in which a tremendous amount of pus accumulates around the ovary and requires emergency surgical surgery.
- Miscarriages and Infertility: Repeatedly getting Pelvic inflammatory disease causes scarring and obstruction in the fallopian tubes, causing infertility and a higher chance of miscarriage.
FAQs
1.Is PID contagious?
No, PID itself is not contagious. The germs that cause Pelvic inflammatory disease spread through sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. These germs go from the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. They can be transmitted sexually. Without treatment, these infections progress and lead to PID.
2.Where do you feel PID pain?
PID causes discomfort in the lower abdomen region. It also hurts the pelvic area. In women, this comprises the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovary.
3.How long does it take to have symptoms of PID?
If a sexually transmitted infection is left untreated for more than 14 days or 2 weeks, it starts developing into Pelvic inflammatory disease. PID Symptoms may begin to appear around this time and worsen gradually.
4.Will I need surgery for pelvic inflammatory disease?
Suppose the infection is severe and can not be treated by antibiotics. In that case, surgeries like endometrial biopsy or laparoscopy are performed to remove pus and germs and reduce scarring in fallopian tubes.
5.How does PID affect fertility?
PID causes scarring and obstruction in the fallopian tubes, causing infertility. It increases the chances of miscarriage and infertility by 60%. 12-15% of women start facing reproductive problems after a single sexually transmitted infection and PID. This risk increases as subsequent infections damage the pelvic area.
6.If I had PID, when can I resume having sex?
If you have PID, you should abstain from having sex for at least a week until your medicinal course is complete and you are cleared by your doctor. If you do decide to have intercourse, make sure to practice safe sex and use the right contraceptives.
7.Can you get PID without having an STD?
Mostly, PID is linked to sexually transmitted infections, but other factors, like implanting invasive IUDs or incorrect use of birth control, can cause this condition.
8.Can I see PID on ultrasound?
Yes, PID does show up on ultrasounds, especially when it is in the extreme stages and causes pus, abscesses, and scarring in the fallopian tubes. Mild infections, however, do not show up on ultrasound imaging