PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE

(PID)

Causes

• Untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia cause about 90% of all cases of PID

• The STDs that develop into PID are caused by bacteria

• PID is the only street name for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Are YOU at risk?

• Sexually active female teenagers are most at risk to develop PID

• Women with many sexual partners, STDs, and previous episodes of PID are at high risk

Symptoms

• Pain or tenderness in the stomach or lower abdominal area

• Yellow or green vaginal discharge• Irregular/Painful periods• Pain during urination or sex• Spotting or cramping• Chills or high fever• Nausea and vomiting

Treatments

• Antibiotics taken by mouth, sometimes ineffective

• Surgery (to remove abscesses in pelvic region)

• Doctor may have to open the abdomen to view the internal organs

• If abscesses form on the uterus or ovaries, a doctor may recommend removing both

Prevention

• Avoid multiple sexual partners

• Use condoms, diaphragm, or spermicide, even if you are on birth control

• Avoid using IUDs if you have multiple sexual partners

• Seek treatment immediately if you notice any signs of PID or STIs

Health Problems

• Short term: same as symptoms

• Long term: scarring of the fallopian tubes, which can lead to infertility

• An ectopic pregnancy

• Chronic pelvic pain

• PID itself is not contagious, but the STIs that cause it are

• PID is not fatal

Medical Costs

• Estimated lifetime cost of about $1200

• About $850 of this cost represents care for PID itself

• Treatment of the conditions that stem from it will provide additional costs

• If surgery is required, this number will go up