Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a female reproductive organ infection that may affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the uterus. PID, if not treated promptly, could lead to severe complications and long-term harm to the reproductive system.

The common symptoms of Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Irregular menstrual bleeding
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Painful urination
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Fever and fatigue

• It is typically due to sexually transmitted infection, where the bacterial infection travels from the cervix into the upper reproductive organs, resulting in inflammation and infection.
• Various bacteria can cause PID, but the two most prevalent diseases are gonorrhea and chlamydia.
• Mycoplasma genitalium, a cervical bacterium, can also cause it.
• PID can also be caused by non-sexual illnesses such as a ruptured appendix, intestinal infections such as gastroenteritis, or surgical operations such as abortion, ectopic pregnancy, childbirth, or insertion of an intrauterine device.

Following are some of the preventive measures to reduce a person’s risk:

• Practice safe sex – Use condoms consistently and maintain a relationship that is mutually monogamous to help lower the possibility of STIs that contribute to PID.
• Regular STI testing – Get tested for STIs on a regular basis, especially if you participate in high-risk sexual activities or have several partners.
• Get prompt treatment of STIs – If diagnosed with an STI, seek timely treatment and ensure that your sexual partners are tested and treated.
• Do not Douch – as it can upset the vaginal bacteria’s normal equilibrium, raising the risk of infection.

Recurrent or untreated PID can lead to several complications including:

Ectopic pregnancy: Scarring and fallopian tube damage raise the likelihood of ectopic pregnancies, in which the eggs that are fertilized gets implanted outside of the uterus.

Infertility: PID can damage and scar the reproductive organs, especially the fallopian tubes which can result in blocked or damaged tubes, leading to difficulties in conceiving.

Tubo-ovarian abscess: A pelvic inflammatory disease can cause an infectious mass in the reproductive system.

Chronic pelvic pain: Some patients may have persistent pelvic pain even after the infection has cleared.