Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of your reproductive organs that can involve the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding tissues.
What are the symptoms of PID?
Symptoms of PID can range from being very mild to severe and can include:
- unusual vaginal discharge
- unusual vaginal bleeding
- pain in your pelvis or lower abdomen
- pelvic (deep) pain when having sex
- period pain that is worse than usual
Some people have very mild symptoms and don’t realise they have PID. It is important to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STI) if you have any of these symptoms.
What causes PID?
PID is caused by bacteria, which can include STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhoea or mycoplasma genitalium) and other bacteria that live in your vagina. In PID, these bacteria spread from your cervix into your uterus and fallopian tubes.
Things like having an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted, surgical termination of pregnancy and other gynaecological procedures can cause these bacteria to spread.
How is PID diagnosed?
PID is usually a clinical diagnosis and is diagnosed by reviewing your symptoms and examination of your abdomen and vagina. If your health care provider thinks you have PID, they will test for STI and suggest treatment for you. Your partner(s) should also be tested for STI.
What is the treatment for PID?
PID is treated by taking antibiotics for 2 weeks. It is important to take all the antibiotics in the way your health care provider tells you, to reduce your risk of having other problems from PID.
Make sure you rest and take simple pain relief like paracetamol if you need it. If your symptoms get worse, see your health care provider or go to your nearest hospital Emergency Department.
What can happen if PID is not treated?
Untreated PID can cause scars and damage to your reproductive organs. This can cause:
- infertility
- long term pain in your pelvis or abdomen
- ectopic (tubal) pregnancy
Getting treatment for PID quickly can reduce your risk of these complications.
Do I need to use condoms?
Yes, you should use condoms and make sure your partner(s) get tested too. Sex without a condom with a partner who has not had an STI check can put you at risk of getting PID again. Use condoms with partner(s) until you are sure that they have had an STI check-up. Also have regular STI check-ups so that any infection can be diagnosed and treated early.
Do sexual partners need treatment?
It is important that all current partners be tested for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and mycoplasma genitalium, and treated with antibiotics if needed.
When can I have sex again?
We recommend that you do not have sex (even with a condom) until you and your partner(s) have finished your/their antibiotics. If you do, and the infection has not been completely treated, it could be passed back and forth between you and your partner(s).
If you need more information or have any questions, please contact the Canberra Sexual Health Centre on (02) 5124 2184 or talk to your GP.
Other resources:
- https://www.staystifree.org.au/get-the-facts/pelvic-inflammatory-disease (also in other languages)