What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a general term for a condition that involves infection and inflammation of the upper female genital tract, include the womb, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Any or all of these parts may be affected.
PID causes variable symptoms including pelvic pain and pelvic infection. PID tends to be a chronic condition, with associated short, acute exacerbations of symptoms.
The syndrome includes salpingitis. PID may reduce the chances of a woman getting pregnant, by causing blockage of the fallopian tubes, and women with this condition are at increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Symptoms include pelvic and back pain, vaginal discharge, irregular painful periods, and pain on intercourse.
It usually results from bacterial infection in the vagina and neck of the womb (cervix) passing to the internal reproductive organs. Many of the infections causing PID are caught through sexual contact.
The bacteria which cause infection in PID are often Chlamydia trachomalis (found in 50-65% of all cases of PID), or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (found in 15-30% of all cases). However, many women who become infected with these bacteria do not develop PID.
More information about this condition
Amended June 2008
