| Alternative names |
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Oophoritis, Salpingitis, Salpingo-oophoritis, Salpingo-peritonitis.
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| Causes and risk factors |
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Unprotected sex with single or multiple partners increase the risk of PID. PID is caused due to spread of sexually transmitted organisms to the uterus and upper genital tract from vagina. There may be an abscess or pus formation that may be released into the peritoneal cavity.
Barrier contraception such as condoms decreases the risk whereas intrauterine device (IUD) increases the risk of PID. Contraceptive pills decrease the risk of PID by creating thicker cervical mucus. Insertion of intrauterine device, abortion, miscarriage, childbirth or endometrial biopsy can cause bacteria to enter the reproductive tract.
Sexual activity at young age, multiple sex partners, history of PID or sexually transmitted diseases, recent IUD insertion, unsafe sex and regular douching (due to removal of harmless bacteria) increase the risk of PID.
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| Symptoms |
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There may be symptoms or the symptoms may not be there at all. Problems are seen while getting pregnant or when there is pelvic pain.
If the symptoms appear then they are heavy vaginal discharge having unpleasant stink, abnormal bleeding, pain during intercourse or urination, abdominal and pelvic pain, low back pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever and fatigue.
There may not be any symptoms in case of Chlamydia infection and therefore greater risk of transmission of infection by sexual contact.
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| Sighs and tests |
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PID is diagnosed on the basis of history, pelvic examination, laboratory culture of vaginal discharge or cervical fluid and urine tests. Blood test is done to check for white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. To confirm the diagnosis and to find out the extent of infection pelvic ultrasound, laproscopy or endometrial biopsy is suggested.
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| Treatment |
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Antibiotics are generally used for the treatment of PID. Anti-inflammatory and pain medications are also prescribed. Generally a combination of antibiotics is given. Here it is important to get the sexual partner checked and treated to prevent re-infection.
Complete abstinence from sex is important till the infection is completely treated in all the partners. In serious cases hospitalization is necessary and antibiotics are administered intravenously and then orally. If the patient does not respond to antibiotic treatment then surgery is done.
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| Expectations (Prognosis) |
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The infection in PID gets cured but the effects may remain permanent. If the infection is in the lower reproductive tract then it causes fewer problems but if the infection is in ovaries or fallopian tubes then complications are serious.
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| Complications |
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PID can cause chronic pelvic pain, infertility of ectopic pregnancy.
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| Calling your health care provider |
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If the symptoms are severe or even if the symptoms are mild but persistent then one must go to the health care provider immediately.
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| Prevention |
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Adequate hygiene, having safe sex, avoiding douching, getting tested for asymptomatic infections like Chlamydia and also insisting the partner to get tested can prevent PID.
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