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Explore Your Treatment Options for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman’s reproductive organs (the ovaries, uterus, etc.). Without proper treatment, pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to health problems like chronic pelvic pain and infertility.

Symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Symptoms of PID include:

  • Lower abdominal pain
  • An unusual discharge or odor
  • Fever
  • Irregular menstrual periods
  • Bleeding between periods
  • Pain during sex
  • Painful urination
  • Nausea and vomiting

Some people with pelvic inflammatory disease may not experience any signs or symptoms.

Causes of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), like gonorrhea or chlamydia. However, you don’t have to have sex to get PID; bacteria that travels from the vagina to the reproductive organs can cause pelvic inflammatory disease as well. Postsurgical infections can introduce bacteria into the reproductive tract and can result in PID.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Treatment and Prevention

If treated early, complications of PID can be prevented. Treatment and prevention efforts focus on maintaining a woman’s reproductive health and fertility.

Prevention options include:

  • Limiting sexual partners
  • Avoiding douching
  • Getting STI screening

PID treatment includes:

  • Antibiotics: Antibiotics can kill the germs that cause the infection. If PID is caught early enough, antibiotics may clear up the infection before it causes any lasting damage to the reproductive system. Antibiotics cannot cure any damage that has already occurred.
  • Surgery: If a woman has developed an internal abscess from PID, doctors may perform surgery. However, surgery is rare. Most women with pelvic inflammatory disease will not need surgery.

Schedule an Appointment

Don’t let pelvic pain and discomfort take over your life. Make an appointment with one of our providers today.

Providers at UPMC specialize in the care and treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease in Williamsport, Wellsboro, and surrounding areas of PA.