The full form of PID is "Pelvic Inflammatory Disease". PID is an infection that affects the upper part of the female reproductive organs, which are the uterus, ovaries, pelvis, fallopian tubes, etc. If left untreated, pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to future complications such as ectopic pregnancy, infertility, severe pelvic pain, and can also cause cancer.
Causes and symptoms
The disease involves bacterial invasion of the female reproductive organ, which is the vagina and cervix, and from there it starts spreading to the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, etc. PID is mainly caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The structure of the female internal organs is such that it provides a pathway for pathogens and other foreign contaminants to easily enter the female reproductive tract and spread in the pelvic cavity via the infundibulum.
Symptoms include cervical pain, fever, abnormal vaginal discharge, irregular and heavy menstrual bleeding. If PID is not completely treated, it can even cause irreversible damage to the female reproductive organs by causing scarring inside the reproductive system.
PID Types
Pelvic inflammatory diseases are generally divided into 4 types based on their intensity and severity:
- Acute pelvic inflammatory disease: The patient may suffer from fever and pain in the lower abdomen and notice a pale or yellow vaginal discharge, which may not be irritating, but a medical examination is necessary.
- Subacute pelvic inflammatory disease: Since the onset of PID is gradual, the patient may suffer minimal symptoms until the infection spreads in the pelvic cavity, the patient may also notice bloody discharge and frequent abdominal pain.
- Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: If PID is left untreated or unnoticed, the patient will enter the chronic PID stage where they will notice irregular and heavy menstrual bleeding, pain during intercourse, and severe pelvic pain. It can also cause infertility.
- Sexually Transmitted Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: The female reproductive organ is designed in such a way that the lining of the cervix and fallopian tubes supports the active passage of spermatozoa and restores their motility so that they can enter the tubes for fertilization and the fertilized egg can easily cross this path and enter the uterus for implantation . This is equally applicable for any bacteria and pathogen to enter and cause any damage to the internal reproductive organ and permanently damage the inner lining of the fallopian tubes because they can easily pass through the cervix and uterus and enter the fallopian tube. Fallopian tubes can become blocked and the active passage of eggs, sperm and embryos is affected.
Treatment and prevention
Treatment is usually started as soon as the patient shows signs of infection to prevent further complications. The first line of the treatment involves prescribing antibiotics for the bacterial infections and analgesics to overcome pelvic pain. Antibiotics are prescribed orally or intravenously depending on the severity of the infection. Possible removal of the IUD (intrauterine device) is considered if symptoms do not improve even after 3-4 days of starting treatment.
Sexual partners are both tested for any signs of infection to stop further spread to partners. Generally, PID can occur in long-term relationships. Contraception such as a condom is considered during intercourse, and if the disease is advanced, sexual activity must be completely stopped until treatment is complete and the patient is infection-free.