PID: What It Is and How to Avoid It

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a serious condition which can result from various STD infections. It can occur when Chlamydia or gonorrhea are left untreated. Normally, Chlamydia attacks the cervix or urethra, and if it progresses can lead to PID; it can be easily eradicated with a simple course of antibiotics. However, it is often impossible to tell if you have Chlamydia without being tested for it, since the symptoms are often undetectable. There may be a slight burning sensation on urination, or a greenish-yellow discharge, but these symptoms could also be related to several other conditions, like a urinary tract infection or a vaginal bacterial infection such as gardnerella or trichomoniasis. It is important not to "self-diagnose" when you're dealing with your sexual health; if there is any possibility you may have contracted an STD (even if you are in a committed monogamous relationship), you need to get checked out.

If left untreated, Chlamydia can advance into the Fallopian tubes, where it progresses into PID, sometimes in as little as one year.

In Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, the body produces scar tissue around the reproductive organs, in order to fight the infection. This thickening of tissue can block the Fallopian tubes and prevent sperm from reaching the eggs, resulting in infertility. PID can also make an ectopic pregnancy more likely, in which a fertilized egg grows inside the fallopian tubes and not the uterus. This is a potentially very serious situation, since the growing pregnancy can rupture the tube and lead to internal bleeding. Once PID has progressed to this level, the infertility cannot be reversed. PID can also lead to abscess formation or chronic pelvic pain.

PID can be diagnosed in its earlier stages, but since the symptoms are fairly vague, it can often go unrecognized by doctors. Lower abdominal pain, fever, pain during intercourse or bleeding between menstrual periods may also be signs of PID. Any of these symptoms should be brought to the attention of your doctor or gynecologist. One good rule of thumb is to get screened periodically for Chlamydia or gonorrhea (the two most common STDs that can lead to PID), whenever you have a new lover or if you have had unsafe sex. Prevention is the best cure; in this case, the more conscientiously you practice safe sex, the lower your chances of contracting STDs.

Since Chlamydia often can occur in conjunction with another bacterial STD, such as gonorrhea, its symptoms may also be masked by other symptoms. Therefore, it is important to be tested for it. Most gynecologists or GP doctors will not suggest such a test so you need to swallow your pride and ask for one. If you are uncomfortable asking for an STD screening from a family doctor, you can always go to your local chapter of Planned Parenthood or other women's health center, which is used to dealing with the privacy issues surrounding sexual matters. Also, since women's clinics are sensitive to your needs you may feel more comfortable discussing your concerns about STDs and asking specific questions about your sexual practices.

PID is often difficult to diagnose, even in the presence of any of the above symptoms. Sometimes a doctor will use an ultrasound or laparoscopy (a minor surgical procedure in which a light is inserted into the abdomen) to make a more sure diagnosis. If PID is found, it is often possible to treat it with a course of antibiotics which will halt the spread of infection and slow the inflammation and formation of scar tissue.

The other untreated STD which can result in PID is gonorrhea. The best protection against gonorrhea, apart from staying in a long-term monogamous relationship or being celibate, is to practice safe sex in every encounter. Gonorrhea is mainly transmitted through intercourse, anal-oral or oral-genital contact. Using latex condoms or gloves during sexual encounters is your best form of protection, reducing the rate of infection by 90%.

The symptoms of gonorrhea are often subtle or even nonexistent, especially in women. A greenish discharge or painful urination may be warning signs. Antibiotics will cure it easily. The infection, left untreated, can migrate into the uterus or Fallopian tubes, where PID can develop. Gonorrhea is far less common than it was in the 1960s and 1970s, but it is still possible to get it alongside of other STDs. It is a good idea to be tested for gonorrhea once a year if you are sexually active, and more often if you have multiple partners.

Occasionally, PID can occur in women who have not contracted an STD can develop PID. Sometimes bacterial infections of the vagina can migrate further into the uterus or cervix area and eventually into the Fallopian tubes. Doctors are not sure why exactly this happens but if you listen to your body and report any of the above-mentioned symptoms to your gyno, you will be able to address things as quickly as possible.

PID can be a serious condition, but if you make sure to get screened periodically for STDs, in particular gonorrhea and Chlamydia, you will greatly reduce the possibility of developing PID. Practicing safe sex and keeping high-risk behaviors to a minimum is the best protection against STDs, baring abstinence; and if you're reading articles on this website, I'm guessing that's not your preferred option!

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