PID

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease conditions and Treatment in London

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. This infection, commonly caused by sexually transmitted bacteria, affects your uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. Bacterial infections are the primary cause of PID; if left untreated, they can cause abscesses or scar tissue in the reproductive tract.

The signs and symptoms of PID can be mild and may vary from one person to the other. Some women may have PID and not show any signs or symptoms of this disease. It is advisable to get tested regularly so as not to develop pelvic pain or difficulties in pregnancy due to PID.

Book us online

Symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease

There are several symptoms of this infection, and they may vary from subtle to mild. Certain people might have PID and not show any symptoms. Some of the common signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease include:

Painful sexual intercourse
Urgency to urinate
Painful urination
Pain in your pelvis or lower abdomen, which may be mild or severe
Fever that might come with chills
Unusual bleeding from the vagina during sex and between periods
Heavy or unusual discharge from the vagina and may have an unpleasant odour.

When should I visit a healthcare professional?

You should seek the help of a doctor if you feel you might be at risk of PID or notice any of the following:

Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant smell
Unbearable pain in your lower abdomen
Fever with a temperature above 38.3C
Vomiting and nausea

If you have signs of PID that aren’t severe, you should still visit your healthcare provider. You may notice other signs, such as vaginal bleeding during sex or between periods or unpleasant vaginal discharge. Note that sexually transmitted infections can cause these signs and symptoms. You should see your doctor and get diagnosed with the STI, as early detection and treatment can prevent you from getting PID.

What are the causes of pelvic inflammatory disease?

There are several types of bacteria responsible for PID, but the most common ones are chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia are commonly gotten when you engage in unprotected sex.

Also, bacteria may enter your vagina or reproductive tract anytime there is a disturbance of the cervix. This might occur during abortion, miscarriage, menstruation or after childbirth. It is uncommon, but bacteria might enter your reproductive tract when an IUD (intrauterine device) is inserted into the uterus.

What are the risk factors associated with pelvic inflammatory disease?

Several factors can increase your risk of getting pelvic inflammatory disease, including:

Having sex without the use of a condom
Sexually active people, especially those below 25
Engaging in sexual intercourse with multiple sexual partners
Having a history of sexually transmitted infections or pelvic inflammatory disease
Being in a sexual relationship with someone who has multiple partners
Regularly douching which changes the pH balance of the vagina

If you just recently had an IUD (intrauterine device) inserted in your uterus, you might be at an increased risk of getting PID. However, this risk is only for 3 weeks after the device has been inserted.

What are the complications of PID?

If PID is left untreated, it can lead to pockets of infected fluid known as abscesses or scar tissue in the reproductive tract. This can lead to permanent damage to your reproductive organs. Some of the complications resulting from PID include:

Infertility: pelvic inflammatory disease may damage your reproductive organs, hence preventing you from giving birth. Your risk of infertility with the amount of times you have had PID. If you notice you have PID or get diagnosed, seek treatment immediately. Delaying treatment can endanger you and increase your risk of infertility.
Tubo-ovarian abscess: A Pus might form in your reproductive tract, called an abscess. Abscesses primarily affect the ovaries and fallopian tubes, but they can also develop in the pelvic organs and the uterus. If this abscess is left without treatment, it can lead to a severe life-threatening infection.
Ectopic pregnancy: pelvic inflammatory disease is a common cause of ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies happen when scar tissue develops in your fallopian tube. The fertilised eggs find it challenging to find their way through the fallopian tube as the scar tissue is a blockage, and the eggs grow outside the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can be life-threatening and cause serious bleeding, requiring emergency medical help.
Chronic pelvic pain: pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to severe pain in the pelvis and can go on for months or even years if left untreated. Scarring of the tissues in the fallopian tube and surrounding organs can cause pain during ovulation and sex.

How can I prevent pelvic inflammatory disease?

You can reduce your risk of getting pelvic inflammatory disease by:

Getting tested: If you think you might have been recently exposed to an STI or are at risk of potential exposure, kindly get tested. You should discuss with your healthcare provider to schedule periodic testing. Early detection and treatment of STIs can play a huge role in preventing you from getting STIs and pelvic inflammatory disease.
Practising safe sex: Practising safe sex is very important and reduces the spread of STIs. Always use a condom when having sex, and limit the number of sexual partners you have. If you want to enter into a new sexual relationship, speak to your partner about their sexual history, and they should also get tested.
Avoid douching: Douching changes the balance of vaginal bacteria.
Ask your partner to take a test: If you have been diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease, kindly inform your partner and also let them get tested for STIs and PID. If they detect the disease quickly, treatment can also follow to avoid the recurrence or spreading of STIs.
Discuss contraception with your doctor: There are so many methods of contraception, but note that they do not protect against pelvic inflammatory disease. Wearing a condom can help you reduce the risk of this infection.

We are one call away!

If you are in London or surrounding areas and feel you might be at risk of potential exposure to an STI, kindly reach out to us at STI Clinic UK for discreet and comprehensive STI tests. Our medical professionals will be sure to provide reliable and private testing and ensure counselling and suitable treatments are provided for you if necessary. Call us today!