13/04/2024
What is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a serious infection in your uterus, fallopian tubes and/or ovaries. It affects women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). PID develops when certain types of bacteria spread from your va**na to your reproductive organs. Bacteria from untreated s*xually transmitted infections (STIs) are the most common cause of PID. However, bacteria normally found in your va**na can also cause PID.
When you have PID, you may feel pain in your lower abdomen (belly) or pelvis. You may also have unusual discharge (leaking) from your va**na. Severe PID can cause permanent damage your reproductive organs and prevent you from getting pregnant. Getting tested and treated for STIs is the best way to prevent PID.
How do you get PID?
Most people get PID through unprotected s*x. S*x lets bacteria enter your reproductive system, where they can infect your organs.
How common is pelvic inflammatory disease?
Each year, more than 1 million women and people AFAB in the U.S. get PID. And more than 100,000 people become infertile because of it. PID occurs most frequently in women and people AFAB between 15 and 25 years old.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the most common signs of PID?
You may not realize you have PID. Symptoms might be mild or unnoticeable. But symptoms of PID can also start suddenly. They can include:
Pain or tenderness in your stomach or lower abdomen (belly), the most common symptom.
Abnormal va**nal discharge, usually yellow or green with an unusual odor.
Chills or fever.
Nausea and vomiting.
Pain during s*x.
Burning when you p*e.
Irregular periods or having spotting or cramping throughout the month.
Where do you feel PID pain?
Pelvic inflammatory disease pain is mainly felt in your lower abdomen or pelvic region. It may feel tender and sore or like a dull ache. You may also feel pain deep in your pelvis during s*x.
What causes pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?
Bacteria entering your reproductive tract causes pelvic inflammatory disease. These bacteria are passed from your va**na, through your cervix and up into your uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Normally, when bacteria enter your va**na, your cervix keeps them from spreading deeper to other reproductive organs. However, any type of infection can disrupt your cervix, preventing it from doing its job.
Many types of bacteria can cause PID, but the two most common infections that cause PID are gonorrhea and chlamydia. You get both of these infections through unprotected s*x. These two STIs cause about 90% of all PID cases.
Less commonly, PID happens when normal bacteria gets into your reproductive organs. This can happen after:
Childbirth.
Pelvic surgery.
Miscarriage.
Getting an intrauterine device (IUD). The risk is highest in the few weeks after your provider inserts an IUD.
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