PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) is a condition that affects the female reproductive organs. Bacteria from the cervix and vaginal area spread to the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, causing infection. Gongorrhea and/or chlamydia, both sexually transmitted illnesses, are the most common causes (STIs). However, trichomoniasis (another STI) or bacterial vaginosis can also cause it. In the United States, almost a million cases are diagnosed each year.
Symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
The symptoms of PID are often ambiguous, and it can be difficult to establish if the disease is centered in the pelvic. PID symptoms might be confused with those of other conditions, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. It can take a few weeks for untreated gonorrhea or chlamydia to develop into PID. This is one of the reasons why getting tested and treated for STIs on a regular basis is critical.
Symptoms that don’t seem serious should also be reported to your doctor for additional investigation. You may get flu-like symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, fever, and chills. You could think you’re only suffering from cramps and ache in your lower abdomen.
Diagnosis of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
A medical practitioner is always involved in the diagnosis of PID. The first step is a pelvic examination. It’s possible that you’ll require lab testing, a pelvic ultrasound, or, in the worst-case scenario, surgery. The sooner you see someone, the easier it will be to resolve the issue.
Treatment for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
One of the most serious consequences of PID is the development of scarring in the reproductive system if it is not treated promptly. This can result in more difficult pregnancies or infertility. The good news is that PID is usually treated with antibiotics alone. Many of these antibiotics are used orally, however IV antibiotics may be required in some circumstances. You may need hospital treatment if you are already pregnant, have HIV, have a severe case of PID, or have an abscess. To help resolve an abscess, surgery may be required.
You might notice that your symptoms go away before you complete taking your prescription. Even if you are feeling better, you should finish the prescription as directed. It is a regular blunder among people who are being treated to fail to do so. Your doctor may want to check in with you again in two or three days to see if your symptoms are improving. You may require a medicine change from time to time.
One topic to discuss with your doctor is whether or not your sexual partner(s) requires treatment. If you have gonorrhea or chlamydia, this is especially critical.
Risks of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Infertility is the most serious long-term danger of PID. About one out of every eight women with a history of PID has difficulty conceiving.
Scars can grow inside the reproductive tract if PID is not treated. One of the main causes for an increase in infertility following PID is scarring. This scarring can create pregnancy difficulties even after the acute illness is gone. Ectopic pregnancy is one of the most common of these issues (a pregnancy that is outside of the uterus). Finally, there’s a chance that the scarring will cause long-term suffering.
There has been some speculation that women who use an intrauterine device have a higher risk of PID (IUD). Only around 1% of IUD users experienced PID after the first three weeks, including those who tested positive for gonorrhea and/or chlamydia before the IUD was installed and those who tested negative before the IUD was inserted.
Prevention of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Because PID is a disease linked to sexual activity, it’s vital to remember that certain sexual behaviors increase the risk. The only approach to dramatically lower your risk of PID is to avoid vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse – a threshold that most people find intolerable. As a result, you should try to reduce your risks. Even if you’re using something else to prevent pregnancy, you can reduce your risks by using a condom every time you have sex. It’s also a good idea to have your partners tested for STIs before having sex and to limit the number of partners you have. When you’re both in a monogamous relationship, your risk is the lowest.
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