What is Pelvic Inflammatory disease | Dr Rama Sofat Hopsital

What is Pelvic Inflammatory disease | Dr Rama Sofat Hopsital

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. It usually occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria spread from your vagina to your uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries.

Pelvic inflammatory disease often causes no signs or symptoms. As a result, you might not realize you have the condition and get needed treatment. The condition might be detected later if you have trouble getting pregnant or if you develop chronic pelvic pain.

Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease might include:

• Pain in your lower abdomen and pelvis
• Heavy vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor
• Abnormal uterine bleeding, especially during or after intercourse, or between menstrual cycles
• Pain or bleeding during intercourse
• Fever, sometimes with chills
• Painful or difficult urination

PID might cause only mild signs and symptoms or none at all. When severe, PID might cause fever, chills, severe lower abdominal or pelvic pain — especially during a pelvic exam — and bowel discomfort as described by Dr Rama Sofat (IVF expert) 

When to see a doctor
See your doctor or seek urgent medical care if you experience:

• Severe pain low in your abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting, with an inability to keep anything down
• Fever, with a temperature higher than 101 F (38.3 C)
• Foul vaginal discharge

If your signs and symptoms persist but aren't severe, see your doctor as soon as possible. Vaginal discharge with an odor, painful urination or bleeding between menstrual cycles can be associated with a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If these signs and symptoms occur, stop having sex and see your doctor soon. Prompt treatment of an STI can help prevent PID. Dr Rama Sofat explains about the facts regarding when to see take a medical help from doctor.


Causes
Many types of bacteria can cause PID, but gonorrhea or chlamydia infections are the most common.

Less commonly, bacteria can enter your reproductive tract anytime the normal barrier created by the cervix is disturbed. This can happen after childbirth, miscarriage or abortion.


Complications
Untreated pelvic inflammatory disease might cause scar tissue. One might also develop collections of infected fluid (abscesses) in your fallopian tubes, which could damage your reproductive organs.

Other complications might include:

Ectopic pregnancy: PID is a major cause of tubal (ectopic) pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the scar tissue from PID prevents the fertilized egg from making its way through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can cause massive, life-threatening bleeding and require emergency medical attention.

Infertility: PID might damage your reproductive organs and cause infertility — the inability to become pregnant. The more times you've had PID, the greater your risk of infertility. Delaying treatment for PID also dramatically increases your risk of infertility.

Chronic pelvic pain: Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause pelvic pain that might last for months or years. Scarring in your fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs can cause pain during intercourse and ovulation.