Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Pain

Health Concerns & Conditions

What is PID?
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection in persons with female upper genital tract, including the womb, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

How do I get PID?

  • Having an untreated STI like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea or other bacterial infections
  • Having multiple sexual partners
  • Having a sexual partner who has other sexual partners
  • A history of PID


How can I prevent PID?

  • Use condoms
  • Test for STIs regularly - most STIs do not show symptoms immediately


How do I know that I have PID?
You should seek medical attention as soon as you experience any of the symptoms mentioned below. If you have severe pain, you should seek urgent medical attention from your family doctor or emergency department.

A diagnosis is usually based on a combination of:

  • Medical history
  • Physical exam
  • Tests such as Ultrasound, biopsies or laparoscopy

You may not experience symptoms, or you may have mild symptoms. However, you may experience and notice the following:

  • Pain in your lower abdomen
  • Severe pain over the lower abdomen
  • Fever
  • An unusual discharge with a bad odour from your vagina (yellow or green discharge)
  • Pain and/or bleeding when you have sex
  • Burning sensation when you urinate
  • Bleeding between periods


What is the treatment for PID?
PID can be treated with antibiotics, but it will not undo any damage that has already happened. While taking antibiotics the symptoms will be relieved before the infection is cured. Treatment should be finished completely. It is also very important that you and your partner both finish your treatment before having any kind of sex so that you do not re-infect each other. You should inform your recent sex partner(s) to go for testing and treatment too.

What are the complications of PID?

  • Formation of scar tissue both outside and inside the Fallopian tubes that can lead to tubal blockage. This can make it difficult for eggs to pass from the ovaries into the womb
  • Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb)
  • Infertility (inability to get pregnant; see Infertility due to STIs)
  • Long-term pelvic/abdominal pain


Should I tell my partner if I have PID?
Yes, your sexual partner may also need treatment and it is very important that both of you finish treatment before having sex so that re-infection does not occur.

Can I get PID again if I have already suffered from this infection?
Yes, If you have already had PID, the chances of getting it again are higher.

Further information and help

  • Talk to your doctor
  • Call the GU clinic on 25457494/1