About this topic
Pelvic inflammatory disease is also called PID. It is swelling of a womans reproductive organs. These organs are in the lower belly or pelvis. They are: ‚
- Ovaries which store the eggs
- Fallopian tubes that connect the ovaries and the uterus
- Uterus or womb that holds a baby when a woman is pregnant
- Vagina which joins the uterus and the outside of the body
PID is caused by an infection you can catch when you have sex. If it is not treated, the organs can become swollen, sore, and scarred. It may leave you not able to have a baby from the scars on your fallopian tubes. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Tell anyone you had sex with in the past 3 to 6 months to get tested. They may need treatment as well.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor will tell you if other tests are needed.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
Even if signs go away, finish taking all of your drugs as ordered. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
- The pain caused by PID can change your daily routine.
- Sex may be painful.
- Do not have sex until you have finished the treatment and the doctor has told you it is safe to do so.
What problems could happen?
- Problems getting pregnant
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Abnormal menstrual periods
- Pregnancy outside of the womb. This is an ectopic pregnancy.
- PID could happen again.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid douching. It can cause changes in your vagina that help germs grow.
- The only sure way to keep from getting or passing on a sexually-transmitted infection is to not have sexual contact with any person. This infection may be spread even if you do not have any signs of illness.
- Avoid contact with any sex partner known to have an infection.
- If you have sex, use latex condoms each time to lower spread of infection.
- Avoid multiple sex partners. Be in a long-term relationship with only one person who has been tested and is known to have no infection.
- Get a regular check-up for STDs.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, pain with passing urine, blood in urine, mouth sores, a wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
- Smelly vaginal discharge
- Loose stools
- Throwing up that will not stop
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help prevent this health problem.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, pain with passing urine, or smelly vaginal discharge.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/std/pelvic_inflammatory_disease.html ‚
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ‚
http://www.rcog.org.uk/files/rcog-corp/AcutePIDPIAug10.pdf ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚