Hesperian Health Guides
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
HealthWiki > New Where There Is No Doctor > Sexually Transmitted Infections > Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or PID is the name for an infection of any of female reproductive parts in the lower belly area near and including the womb. It is sometimes called a “pelvic infection.”
PID is most often caused by an untreated STI infection — usually gonorrhea, chlamydia, or both.
The germs that cause pelvic infection travel from the vagina through the cervix and into the womb, tubes, and ovaries. If the infection is not treated in time, it can cause chronic pain, infertility, serious illness, or death.
Signs (you may have one or more of these)
- pain in the lower belly (pelvis) – it can be mild or severe
- pain or bleeding during sex
- tenderness when you press on the lower belly
- fever
- feeling very ill and weak
- unusual bleeding or bad-smelling discharge from the vagina
Treatment
If you are very ill with a high fever or vomiting, or if you are pregnant, go to a health center or hospital immediately. You will need medicines given in the vein (IV).
If the signs are beginning and not yet severe, the treatment may be an injection and medicines by mouth. This infection is usually caused by a mix of germs, so more than one kind of medicine is needed. See Medicine Combinations to treat Pelvic Infection (PID). Start treatment right away. If you do not feel better after 2 days, get medical help.
If you have PID, your partner or partners will need to be tested and treated for infection.