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See also…
PID is an infection of a woman's pelvic organs. The pelvic organs include the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes (tubes), ovaries, and other organs related to having babies.
Bacteria (a type of germ) moves up from a woman's vagina, infecting her tubes, ovaries, and womb. Many different types of germs can cause PID. But, germs found in two common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)–gonorrhea and chlamydia–are most often the cause of PID. After a person is infected, it can take from a few days to a few months to turn into PID.
It is rare, but you can get PID without having an STD. No one is sure why, but normal bacteria found in the vagina and on the cervix can sometimes cause PID.
Yes. You are more likely to get PID if you:
Many women have PID and don't know it. This is because sometimes women with PID don't have any symptoms. Still, some women do have symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. The most common symptom of PID is pain in your lower abdomen (stomach area). Other symptoms include:
PID can come on fast with extreme pain and fever, especially if it is caused by gonorrhea.
It can be hard for your doctor to figure out if you have PID. Symptoms can be mild and are like symptoms of some other diseases. If you think that you may have PID, see a doctor right away. If you are treated right away, you'll be less likely to have long-term problems, such as infertility.
If you have pain in your lower abdomen (stomach area), your doctor will perform a physical exam. This will include a pelvic (internal) exam, which will help your doctor learn more about your pain. Your doctor will check for:
Your doctor will also give you tests for STDs, urinary tract infection, and if needed, pregnancy. Your doctor also might test you for HIV and syphilis.
If needed, your doctor may do other tests.
These tests will help your doctor find out if you have PID or if you have a different problem that looks like PID.
PID can be cured with antibiotics. Your doctor will work with you to find the best treatment for you. You must take all your medicine, even if your symptoms go away. The infection will not be fully cured if you do not take all of the medicine.
If PID is not treated, it can lead to severe problems like infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and constant pelvic pain.
Any damage done to your pelvic organs before you start treatment cannot be undone. Still, don't put off getting treatment. If you do, you may not be able to have children. If you think you may have PID, see a doctor right away.
Your doctor may suggest going into the hospital to treat your PID if you:
If you still have symptoms or if the sore doesn't go away, you may need surgery. Problems of PID such as constant pelvic pain and scarring are often hard to treat, but sometimes they get better after surgery.
Even if your sex partner doesn't have any symptoms, she or he could still be infected with bacteria that can cause PID. Protect yourself from being re-infected with PID.
The more times you have PID, the more likely it is that you won't be able to have children. When you have PID, bacteria infect the tubes or cause inflammation of the tubes. This turns normal tissue into scar tissue, which can block your tubes and make it harder to get pregnant. Even having just a little scar tissue can keep you from getting pregnant.
PID is most often caused by an STD that hasn't been treated. You can keep from getting PID by not getting an STD.
You may feel scared or shy about asking for information or help. Keep in mind, the sooner you seek treatment, the less likely the STD will cause you severe harm. And the sooner you tell your sex partner(s) that you have an STD, the less likely they are to re-infect you or spread the disease to others.
If you think you may have an STD, see a doctor right away. Doctors, local health departments, and STD and family planning clinics have information about STDs and many offer testing. The American Social Health Association (ASHA) keeps lists of clinics and doctors who provide treatment for STDs. Call ASHA at (800) 227-8922. You can get information from the phone line without leaving your name.
You can find out more about PID by contacting womenshealth.gov at 1-800-994-9662 or the following organizations:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Prevention Information Network
Phone Number(s): (800) 458-5231
Internet Address: http://www.cdcnpin.org
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Phone Number(s): (301) 496-5717
Internet Address: http://www.niaid.nih.gov
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Phone Number(s): (800) 762-2264
Internet Address: http://www.acog.org
American Social Health Association
Phone Number(s): (800) 783-9877
Internet Address: http://www.ashastd.org
All material contained in this FAQ is free of copyright restrictions, and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.
This FAQ was reviewed by:
Carolyn Deal, PhD
Chief, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Branch
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Current as of April 2007
This site is owned and maintained by the Office on Women's Health
in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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