Symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- pain around the pelvis or lower tummy.
- discomfort or pain during sex that’s felt deep inside the pelvis.
- pain when peeing.
- bleeding between periods and after sex.
- heavy periods.
- painful periods.
- unusual vaginal discharge, especially if it’s yellow or green.
Is PID a serious infection?
PID might cause an abscess — a collection of pus — to form in your reproductive tract. Most commonly, abscesses affect the fallopian tubes and ovaries, but they can also develop in the uterus or in other pelvic organs. If an abscess is left untreated, you could develop a life-threatening infection.
What causes PID when not an STD?
You can also get PID without having an STI. Normal bacteria in the vagina can travel into a woman’s reproductive organs and can sometimes cause PID. Sometimes the bacteria travel up to a woman’s reproductive organs because of douching.
What is the best treatment for PID?
PID is usually treated with antibiotics to provide empiric, broad spectrum coverage of likely pathogens.
What does PID discharge look like?
But symptoms of PID can also start suddenly and quickly. They can include: Pain or tenderness in the stomach or lower abdomen (belly), the most common symptom. Abnormal vaginal discharge, usually yellow or green with an unusual odor.
What happens if PID is left untreated?
It can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and the ovaries. If PID is left untreated, you can develop chronic infection and infertility. It is caused by bacteria, often the same type of bacteria that causes STDs.
Can you have PID for years and not know?
PID is really common, and it’s easy to develop PID without knowing it. That’s why it’s so important to get tested for STDs and see a doctor if you notice any symptoms of PID.
How long does PID take to heal?
You’ll most likely be taking antibiotics for 2 weeks. You should always follow the directions and take all of them, even if you feel better. Your symptoms should improve within 3 days. If they don’t, you should go back to your doctor, because you may need to try something else.
Can PID cause pain in legs?
Patients with PID may be asymptomatic or may present with a spectrum of symptoms including: lower abdominal pain (typically bilateral, sometimes radiating to the legs, abnormal vaginal or cervical discharge (often purulent), dysuria, deep dyspareunia and abnormal vaginal bleeding (postcoital, intermenstrual and
What does PID pain feel like?
Pain in the lower abdomen is the most common symptom of pelvic inflammatory disease. 2 The pain can feel like dull pressure or a more intense cramping-type pain. In chronic PID, the pain might be mild but is present all the time.
Can PID go away on its own?
Prognosis. In some cases, PID resolves spontaneously. That means the inflammation goes away without medical treatment.
What can be mistaken for pelvic inflammatory disease?
PID can be misdiagnosed as appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, ruptured ovarian cysts or other problems.
What is the fastest way to cure PID?
Treatment for PID most often includes:
- Antibiotics. Your doctor will prescribe a combination of antibiotics to start immediately.
- Treatment for your partner. To prevent reinfection with an STI, your sexual partner or partners should be examined and treated.
- Temporary abstinence.
Can PID stop menstruation?
As the infection spreads to the cells of the uterus, it can lead to problems with menstruation. The Office on Women’s Health lists irregular menstrual cycles (like late periods) as one of the symptoms of PID.
PID is an infection caused by bacteria. When bacteria from the vagina or cervix travel to your womb, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, they can cause an infection. Most of the time, PID is caused by bacteria from chlamydia and gonorrhea. These are sexually transmitted infections (STIs).