Pelvic inflammatory disease
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Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a bacterial infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries — one or more of those reproductive organs can be affected by PID.
The most common type of bacteria that causes infection comes from a sexually transmissible infection (STI), such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea — although other bacteria can also cause infection.
An untreated STI can spread from the vagina, through the cervix, and into the uterus and fallopian tubes — causing PID. If you have any symptoms of an STI, it’s really important to get an STI test.
PID is a serious health problem that sometimes leads to infertility.
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What are the symptoms of PID?
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Some people will have no symptoms of PID. Other people might notice:
- Pain in the lower back or belly
- Pain during sex
- Fevers
- Unusual discharge
- Heavy or painful periods
- Bleeding between periods
- Bleeding after sex
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with us.
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How can you avoid getting PID from sex?
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The best way to avoid getting PID from sex is to:
- Use condoms or dental dams every time you have sex
- Use lube every time you put something in your anus or vagina during sex
- Wash your hands and use a new condom every time you swap between anal and vaginal sex, or anal and oral sex
- Test for STIs regularly
It’s possible to get PID after having an intra uterine device IUD inserted, or after an abortion. The normal bacteria in your vagina can also cause PID.
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How is PID treated?
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PID is treated with antibiotics. If you make an appointment with us, we can prescribe you antibiotics to treat your PID. It's important that you finish the whole course of antibiotics that is prescribed to you, even if you start feeling better. Make sure that you tell your nurse or doctor if you are allergic to antibiotics, or if you could be pregnant. This will help them prescribe you the correct antibiotics.
It’s best not to have sex until 7 days after you finish your antibiotics. It’s a good idea for anyone you have sex with to get tested for STIs. If someone you have sex with has had treatment for PID, don’t have sex with them until 7 days after they finish their antibiotics. You don’t want to get a repeat case of PID.
If you have PID more than once, it can cause infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or long-term pain.
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