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Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, is an infection of the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries. It is usually easy to treat with antibiotics when caught early, but delay can leave scarring that affects fertility.
This guide covers the symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention, and the warning signs that need urgent help.
What Causes PID?
The NHS explains that PID is usually caused by sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, though sometimes common bacteria from the vagina travel upwards. The infection climbs from the vagina and cervix into the womb and tubes.
The NHS, CDC and MedlinePlus list these as raising the chance:
- An untreated sexually transmitted infection
- Having had PID before
- Having multiple sexual partners, or a partner who does
- Being sexually active and aged 25 or younger (CDC)
- Douching
- A recently fitted coil (IUD); the risk is small and mostly in the first three weeks
- Procedures that open the cervix, such as childbirth, miscarriage, abortion or hysteroscopy (NHS)
Having one of these does not mean you will get PID. Many women are never affected.
Symptoms of PID
Some women have mild symptoms or none at all, which is why PID can go unnoticed. When symptoms occur, they may come on over a few days or slowly. Look out for:
- Pain in the lower tummy or pelvis
- Pain deep inside during sex
- Unusual or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Heavy or painful periods
- Fever
- Burning when passing urine
There is no single test for PID, according to the CDC. Doctors decide using your history, an examination and test results. Because symptoms resemble other conditions, including endometriosis, a proper assessment is important.
Why PID Matters for Fertility
Untreated or repeated infection can leave scar tissue in or around the fallopian tubes. The CDC and NHS list these possible complications:
- Blocked tubes, which can cause infertility; the CDC says about 1 in 8 women with a history of PID have difficulty getting pregnant
- Ectopic pregnancy, where an embryo grows outside the womb
- Long-term pelvic pain
- Abscesses (pockets of pus) in the tubes or ovaries
- Repeat infections
Antibiotics can cure the infection, but, as the CDC and MedlinePlus note, they cannot undo damage that has already happened. That is why seeing a doctor early makes such a difference. Learn about ectopic pregnancy signs and about when to seek fertility help.
How PID Is Treated
- Antibiotics. The NHS describes an injection followed by tablets for about two weeks, but regimens differ, so follow your doctor exactly. Finish the full course even if you feel better.
- Pain relief. Your doctor may advise suitable painkillers.
- Partner testing and treatment. Recent sexual partners should be tested and treated so that the infection does not pass back and forth.
- Rest from sex. Avoid sex until you and your partners have finished treatment, symptoms have gone and tests show the infection has cleared. Use condoms if you do have sex.
- Follow-up. A review confirms the infection is gone. Hospital care or surgery may be needed if you are pregnant, have an abscess, or are not getting better.
Tip: Set a daily phone reminder for your tablets. Symptoms often fade before the infection has fully cleared, and stopping early is a common reason for relapse.
When to be cautious: Do not buy antibiotics from a shop or use leftover tablets. The wrong medicine or the wrong length of treatment can leave the infection active while the pain eases.
Preventing PID
- Use condoms correctly every time you have sex
- Avoid douching, which the CDC lists as a risk
- Get tested promptly if you or a partner may have been exposed to an infection; the CDC advises yearly chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing for sexually active women under 25
- Seek care early for unusual discharge, pelvic pain or bleeding, rather than waiting
- Attend regular check-ups; see why regular gynecological check-ups matter
A long-term relationship with one tested partner also lowers the risk, the CDC notes. Talking about these topics openly is part of looking after your health. There is no shame in being tested.
Myths and Facts About PID
- Myth: PID always causes severe pain. Fact: Many women have mild symptoms or none, so a silent infection can still cause damage.
- Myth: Only women with many partners get it. Fact: A single untreated infection, a recent procedure or an IUD can be enough to raise the risk.
- Myth: If the pain goes away, the infection is gone. Fact: Symptoms may fade before the infection has cleared, so finish treatment and attend follow-up.
- Myth: PID always means infertility. Fact: The CDC says about 1 in 8 women with past PID have difficulty getting pregnant, so most do not, and early treatment helps.
When to Seek Urgent Help
The NHS advises going to emergency care immediately, and not driving yourself, if you have:
- Severe or worsening pelvic pain
- Sudden intense lower tummy pain
- Heavy bleeding with pelvic pain
- Pain under the right ribs or in the right shoulder
- Dizziness or fainting
- A very high temperature
- Vomiting and feeling very unwell
Our emergency and critical care speciality provides 24/7 emergency obstetric and critical care support; see also our emergency page.
When to See a Doctor Soon
Book a visit as soon as possible if you have pelvic pain that comes and goes, unusual discharge, pain during sex, bleeding between periods or after sex, or any of these symptoms while pregnant or possibly pregnant. The NHS also says to return urgently if you do not improve after three days of antibiotics. Read about gynecological problems you should never ignore.
What to Expect at the Clinic
Expect questions about your symptoms, periods, sexual partners, contraception and any recent procedures. You will have a pelvic examination, and swabs, urine or blood tests, and sometimes an ultrasound scan. If PID is suspected, treatment may start at once without waiting for every result. Be as open as you can; the doctor needs the full picture.
Talk to a doctor
Book an appointment at Chaitanya Hospital, Kadapa (near RTC Bus Stand, Simhapuri Colony), or call +91 944 103 0587. Teleconsultation is also available if you would like to start with a conversation from home. This article is for general awareness and is not a substitute for a doctor's advice.
References
This article was written in our own words from the following public health sources.
Educational content
Please note. This article is for general awareness and is not a substitute for a doctor’s advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are worried about your health, or in an emergency, call +91 944 103 0587 or visit the hospital.
