Female reproductive & breastInfectionICD-10 N73
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Also called: PID
Infection of the upper female genital tract, usually from sexually transmitted chlamydia or gonorrhoea. It can scar the tubes and cause infertility.
Condition-specific references are below. Individual claims and this page have not been clinically reviewed. Read about this content.
Causes
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Mycoplasma genitalium and mixed bacteria
Risk factors
- Age under 25
- New or multiple sexual partners
- No condom use
- Previous STI
Symptoms
- Lower abdominal pain
- Pain during sex
- Abnormal discharge
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Fever
Diagnosis — tests and examinations
- Clinical examination (cervical motion tenderness)
- STI swabs
- Pregnancy test
- Ultrasound for abscess
Treatment
Medicines and medical treatment
- Broad antibiotic course (e.g. ceftriaxone plus doxycycline and metronidazole) for 14 days
- Treat sexual partners
Operations and procedures
- Drainage of tubo-ovarian abscess
Self-care, home remedies and lifestyle
- Avoid sex until treatment is complete
Possible complications
- Infertility
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Chronic pelvic pain
Prevention
- Condoms, STI screening
Outlook
Good with prompt treatment; risk of infertility rises with each episode.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor promptly for pelvic pain with abnormal discharge or fever.
Sources and further reading
These sources cover this condition. They have not been checked against every statement on this page.
Related conditions
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