Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesComplicationsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Complications
Diagnosis
Treatment
PID symptoms aren’t always noticeable but can include vaginal discharge or pelvic discomfort. In some cases, it can lead to infertility or a fertilized egg implanting outside of the uterus (ectopic pregnancy).
This article reviews the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and potential complications of pelvic inflammatory disease.
Verywell / Laura Porter
PID Symptoms
Symptoms of PID can include:
PID can go undetected for years because symptoms are not always present and are often mild or nonspecific if they do occur. Many people do not seek medical attention until health or reproductive complications occur.
If you do recognize any signs of pelvic inflammatory disease, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
With PID, symptoms can come and go—even if the infection or inflammation continues to affect the body.
What Causes Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
PID can happen as a consequence of STIs,bacterial vaginosis(BV), or as a complication of pelvic surgery orgynecologic procedures. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common infections associated with PID.
Risk factors for developing PID include:
Acute complications include the development of apelvicabscess(enclosed infection) or amajor pelvic infection. Symptoms of this may include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or severe pelvic pain.
In some cases, it can lead to lead tosepsis, a severe infection affecting the bloodstream, which is a potentially life-threatening response to an infection.
Longstanding untreated PID can result in serious health effects that affect reproductive health:
The diagnosis of PID generally involves a medical history, gynecologic exam, and swabs of the cervix to check for infections. Other tests like blood tests or pelvic ultrasound may also be done. Often, because there are no symptoms or few symptoms, diagnosis is made at a late stage when scarring has already occurred.
If you have PID, your healthcare provider will also do tests to identify the infectious organism.
Pelvic Examination
Several tests are used in the evaluation of PID. The first is a gynecologic (pelvic) examination. Your healthcare provider examines your vagina and cervix, using a speculum and light to see the area better.
You may have aPap smearduring this exam if you are due for one. The sample of cells taken from your cervix will then be sent to a laboratory so they can be viewed under a microscope. This test is used for cervical cancer screening only and is not used in making a diagnosis of PID.
A fluid sample may also be taken and sent to a lab for testing to identify the bacteria present.
What to Expect From a Pelvic Examination
Diagnostic Tests
Specialized diagnostic tests can help your healthcare provider visualize the structure of your reproductive organs and identify any areas of scarring throughout your reproductive tract.
PID Treatment
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated and cured when diagnosed early. Antibiotics and surgery are two possible treatment options.
Antibiotics
If you have an STI, your partner will need to be treated as well so that the infection will not continue to be transmitted back and forth.
Surgery
Inflammation and scarring can cause infertility and the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Sometimes scars can be surgically treated, but this can increase the risk of adhesions—scars that can cause even further problems.
Additional Treatment for Complications
Treating PID won’t undo damage it has already caused. And the longer it is allowed to persist, the more likely there will be complications that also need treatment.
For example, sepsis requires immediate treatment with IV antibiotics.
When an ectopic pregnancy does not resolve on its own, or a fever or signs of an emergency develop, medication may be given to stop the pregnancy.
In some cases, the fertilized egg must be surgically removed to prevent life-threatening problems. This may require the removal of one of the ovaries or fallopian tubes.
Summary
Talk with a healthcare provider if you suspect you have a sexually transmitted infection or any symptoms that could be related to PID.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Office on Women’s Health.Pelvic inflammatory disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).Wiesenfeld HC, Hillier SL, Meyn LA, Amortegui AJ, Sweet RL.Subclinical pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Obstet Gynecol. 2012;120(1):37-43. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e31825a6bc9Mitchell C, Prabhu M.Pelvic inflammatory disease: current concepts in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.Infect Dis Clin North Am.2013;27(4):793-809. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2013.08.004Spencer TH, Umeh PO, Irokanulo E, et al.Bacterial isolates associated with pelvic inflammatory disease among female patients attending some hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria. Afr J Infect Dis. 2014;8(1):9-13. doi:10.4314/ajid.v8i1.3Kornete A, Grabe Z.Pelvic inflammatory disease and sepsis: the diagnostic challenge.European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2019;234:e62. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2018.08.291Trent M.Pelvic inflammatory disease. Pediatr Rev. 2013;34(4):163-72. doi:10.1542/pir.34-4-163The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Pelvic inflammatory disease.Huang CC, Huang CC, Lin SY, et al.Association of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) with ectopic pregnancy and preterm labor in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.PLoS ONE.2019;14(8):e0219351. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0219351Das BB, Ronda J, Trent M.Pelvic inflammatory disease: improving awareness, prevention, and treatment.Infect Drug Resist.2016;9:191-7. doi:10.2147/IDR.S91260Planned Parenthood.What is a pelvic exam?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).Romosan G, Valentin L.The sensitivity and specificity of transvaginal ultrasound with regard to acute pelvic inflammatory disease: a review of the literature.Arch Gynecol Obstet.2014;289(4):705-14. doi:10.1007/s00404-013-3091-6Shigemi D, Matsui H, Fushimi K, Yasunaga H.Laparoscopic Compared With Open Surgery for Severe Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Tubo-Ovarian Abscess.Obstet Gynecol.2019;133(6):1224-1230. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003259The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Ectopic pregnancy.Additional ReadingAnyalechi GE, Hong J, Kreisel K, Torrone E, Boulet S, Gorwitz R et al.Self-Reported Infertility and Associated Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Among Women of Reproductive Age-National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2013-2016. SexTransm Dis. 2019 Jul;46(7):446-451. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000996Savaris RF, Fuhrich DG, Duarte RV, Franik S, Ross JDC.Antibiotic therapy for pelvic inflammatory disease: an abridged version of a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sex Transm Infect. 2019 Feb;95(1):21-27. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2018-053693. Epub 2018 Oct 19.Shigemi D, Matsui H, Fushimi K, Yasunaga H.Laparoscopic Compared With Open Surgery for Severe Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Tubo-Ovarian Abscess. Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Jun;133(6):1224-1230. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003259
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Office on Women’s Health.Pelvic inflammatory disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).Wiesenfeld HC, Hillier SL, Meyn LA, Amortegui AJ, Sweet RL.Subclinical pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Obstet Gynecol. 2012;120(1):37-43. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e31825a6bc9Mitchell C, Prabhu M.Pelvic inflammatory disease: current concepts in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.Infect Dis Clin North Am.2013;27(4):793-809. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2013.08.004Spencer TH, Umeh PO, Irokanulo E, et al.Bacterial isolates associated with pelvic inflammatory disease among female patients attending some hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria. Afr J Infect Dis. 2014;8(1):9-13. doi:10.4314/ajid.v8i1.3Kornete A, Grabe Z.Pelvic inflammatory disease and sepsis: the diagnostic challenge.European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2019;234:e62. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2018.08.291Trent M.Pelvic inflammatory disease. Pediatr Rev. 2013;34(4):163-72. doi:10.1542/pir.34-4-163The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Pelvic inflammatory disease.Huang CC, Huang CC, Lin SY, et al.Association of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) with ectopic pregnancy and preterm labor in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.PLoS ONE.2019;14(8):e0219351. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0219351Das BB, Ronda J, Trent M.Pelvic inflammatory disease: improving awareness, prevention, and treatment.Infect Drug Resist.2016;9:191-7. doi:10.2147/IDR.S91260Planned Parenthood.What is a pelvic exam?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).Romosan G, Valentin L.The sensitivity and specificity of transvaginal ultrasound with regard to acute pelvic inflammatory disease: a review of the literature.Arch Gynecol Obstet.2014;289(4):705-14. doi:10.1007/s00404-013-3091-6Shigemi D, Matsui H, Fushimi K, Yasunaga H.Laparoscopic Compared With Open Surgery for Severe Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Tubo-Ovarian Abscess.Obstet Gynecol.2019;133(6):1224-1230. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003259The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Ectopic pregnancy.Additional ReadingAnyalechi GE, Hong J, Kreisel K, Torrone E, Boulet S, Gorwitz R et al.Self-Reported Infertility and Associated Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Among Women of Reproductive Age-National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2013-2016. SexTransm Dis. 2019 Jul;46(7):446-451. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000996Savaris RF, Fuhrich DG, Duarte RV, Franik S, Ross JDC.Antibiotic therapy for pelvic inflammatory disease: an abridged version of a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sex Transm Infect. 2019 Feb;95(1):21-27. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2018-053693. Epub 2018 Oct 19.Shigemi D, Matsui H, Fushimi K, Yasunaga H.Laparoscopic Compared With Open Surgery for Severe Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Tubo-Ovarian Abscess. Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Jun;133(6):1224-1230. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003259
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Office on Women’s Health.Pelvic inflammatory disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).Wiesenfeld HC, Hillier SL, Meyn LA, Amortegui AJ, Sweet RL.Subclinical pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Obstet Gynecol. 2012;120(1):37-43. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e31825a6bc9Mitchell C, Prabhu M.Pelvic inflammatory disease: current concepts in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.Infect Dis Clin North Am.2013;27(4):793-809. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2013.08.004Spencer TH, Umeh PO, Irokanulo E, et al.Bacterial isolates associated with pelvic inflammatory disease among female patients attending some hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria. Afr J Infect Dis. 2014;8(1):9-13. doi:10.4314/ajid.v8i1.3Kornete A, Grabe Z.Pelvic inflammatory disease and sepsis: the diagnostic challenge.European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2019;234:e62. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2018.08.291Trent M.Pelvic inflammatory disease. Pediatr Rev. 2013;34(4):163-72. doi:10.1542/pir.34-4-163The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Pelvic inflammatory disease.Huang CC, Huang CC, Lin SY, et al.Association of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) with ectopic pregnancy and preterm labor in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.PLoS ONE.2019;14(8):e0219351. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0219351Das BB, Ronda J, Trent M.Pelvic inflammatory disease: improving awareness, prevention, and treatment.Infect Drug Resist.2016;9:191-7. doi:10.2147/IDR.S91260Planned Parenthood.What is a pelvic exam?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).Romosan G, Valentin L.The sensitivity and specificity of transvaginal ultrasound with regard to acute pelvic inflammatory disease: a review of the literature.Arch Gynecol Obstet.2014;289(4):705-14. doi:10.1007/s00404-013-3091-6Shigemi D, Matsui H, Fushimi K, Yasunaga H.Laparoscopic Compared With Open Surgery for Severe Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Tubo-Ovarian Abscess.Obstet Gynecol.2019;133(6):1224-1230. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003259The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Ectopic pregnancy.
Office on Women’s Health.Pelvic inflammatory disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Wiesenfeld HC, Hillier SL, Meyn LA, Amortegui AJ, Sweet RL.Subclinical pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Obstet Gynecol. 2012;120(1):37-43. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e31825a6bc9
Mitchell C, Prabhu M.Pelvic inflammatory disease: current concepts in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.Infect Dis Clin North Am.2013;27(4):793-809. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2013.08.004
Spencer TH, Umeh PO, Irokanulo E, et al.Bacterial isolates associated with pelvic inflammatory disease among female patients attending some hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria. Afr J Infect Dis. 2014;8(1):9-13. doi:10.4314/ajid.v8i1.3
Kornete A, Grabe Z.Pelvic inflammatory disease and sepsis: the diagnostic challenge.European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2019;234:e62. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2018.08.291
Trent M.Pelvic inflammatory disease. Pediatr Rev. 2013;34(4):163-72. doi:10.1542/pir.34-4-163
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Pelvic inflammatory disease.
Huang CC, Huang CC, Lin SY, et al.Association of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) with ectopic pregnancy and preterm labor in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.PLoS ONE.2019;14(8):e0219351. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0219351
Das BB, Ronda J, Trent M.Pelvic inflammatory disease: improving awareness, prevention, and treatment.Infect Drug Resist.2016;9:191-7. doi:10.2147/IDR.S91260
Planned Parenthood.What is a pelvic exam?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).
Romosan G, Valentin L.The sensitivity and specificity of transvaginal ultrasound with regard to acute pelvic inflammatory disease: a review of the literature.Arch Gynecol Obstet.2014;289(4):705-14. doi:10.1007/s00404-013-3091-6
Shigemi D, Matsui H, Fushimi K, Yasunaga H.Laparoscopic Compared With Open Surgery for Severe Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Tubo-Ovarian Abscess.Obstet Gynecol.2019;133(6):1224-1230. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003259
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Ectopic pregnancy.
Anyalechi GE, Hong J, Kreisel K, Torrone E, Boulet S, Gorwitz R et al.Self-Reported Infertility and Associated Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Among Women of Reproductive Age-National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2013-2016. SexTransm Dis. 2019 Jul;46(7):446-451. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000996Savaris RF, Fuhrich DG, Duarte RV, Franik S, Ross JDC.Antibiotic therapy for pelvic inflammatory disease: an abridged version of a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sex Transm Infect. 2019 Feb;95(1):21-27. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2018-053693. Epub 2018 Oct 19.Shigemi D, Matsui H, Fushimi K, Yasunaga H.Laparoscopic Compared With Open Surgery for Severe Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Tubo-Ovarian Abscess. Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Jun;133(6):1224-1230. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003259
Anyalechi GE, Hong J, Kreisel K, Torrone E, Boulet S, Gorwitz R et al.Self-Reported Infertility and Associated Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Among Women of Reproductive Age-National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2013-2016. SexTransm Dis. 2019 Jul;46(7):446-451. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000996
Savaris RF, Fuhrich DG, Duarte RV, Franik S, Ross JDC.Antibiotic therapy for pelvic inflammatory disease: an abridged version of a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sex Transm Infect. 2019 Feb;95(1):21-27. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2018-053693. Epub 2018 Oct 19.
Shigemi D, Matsui H, Fushimi K, Yasunaga H.Laparoscopic Compared With Open Surgery for Severe Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Tubo-Ovarian Abscess. Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Jun;133(6):1224-1230. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003259
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