Many women have never heard of pelvic inflammatory disease, also called PID. PID is an infection of a woman’s reproductive organs. It’s caused by bacteria that travel up through the vagina into the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. The infection may affect only the fallopian tubes. Or it may affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. PID can happen to any woman who is sexually active. But it’s most common in women younger than age 25. Pelvic inflammatory disease can be caused in several ways. Having multiple sex partners raises a woman’s risk of PID. Having a sexually transmitted disease, or STD, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia is a risk factor. Use of an intrauterine device, or IUD, can also raise the risk of PID in the first few weeks after the IUD is put in. Some minor procedures done to the uterus or cervix can raise a woman’s risk of PID. Using a douche may also raise your risk.
Pelvic inflammatory disease or PID is an infection of a woman’s reproductive tract. Scar tissue grows between internal organs leading to ongoing pelvic pain. It can also lead to ectopic pregnancy.
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the female reproductive organs. It is most often caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia. If not treated promptly, it can lead to serious health problems.
Complications of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Complications from untreated PID can take many years to develop. The longer a woman has untreated PID, the greater the chance that these problems will occur.
