Most common STDs: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)



The latest blog entries have been dedicated to the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) with special emphasis on the fact that disclosure is essential if, not to eradicating, at least to reducing its incidence. Therefore today’s entry is dedicated to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection usually caused by bacteria which often extends from the vagina to the genitalia.

Although the use of antibiotics has significantly reduced its scope, in recent years there has been an increase in contagion rates and PID is currently the most important infection of all those that usually affect Western women.

What is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and how is it spread?

As we said, PID is an infection caused mainly by two bacteria: Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. These germs travel easily from the vagina or cervix to the womb due to the use of intrauterine devices (IUD) or procedures such as curettage, endometrial biopsy, hysterosalpingography or hysteroscopy.

Pelvic inflammatory disease: symptoms

  • Infected women may experience pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis, especially during sex.
  • Vaginal discharge will increase and will be accompanied by an intense and unpleasant odor.
  • There may be also abnormal bleeding between cycles or during and after intercourse.
  • Other symptoms associated with PID are fever, chills and discomfort when urinating.

Pelvic inflammatory disease: complications, diagnosis and treatment

The worst risk of PID is its high tendency to reappear. More than 25% of infected women will relapse. And the long-term effects of pelvic inflammatory disease, especially if it is relapsing, are severe and include extra-uterine pregnancies or infertility.

A thorough diagnosis will require a clinical and sexual history of the patient, as well as a gynecological check-up complete with ultrasound. Smear tests of the vagina and cervix will detect the presence of gonococcus and chlamydia through a microbiological analysis and the study will be completed with a blood and urine test.

If the results are positive, then the relevant treatment will be applied, which will consist of taking antibiotics to kill the infectious agents. However, this first procedure is not always effective and in many cases the patient will have to be admitted and treated surgically, especially when there are pelvic abscesses: encapsulated accumulations of purulent fluid.

Pelvic inflammatory disease: prevention

When it comes to sexually transmitted diseases, information is power. Knowing the consequences, especially serious, of this and other STDs will increase awareness of the problem and promote safe sex.

Promoting awareness is part of our responsibility; hence this series of articles:



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