PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION

 *DEFINITION*

*PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. It usually occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria spread from the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries.* 

*CAUSED OF PID*

Pelvic inflammatory disease can be caused by a number of bacteria but are most often *caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia infections*. These bacteria are usually acquired during unprotected sex.

Less commonly, *bacteria may enter the reproductive tract anytime the normal barrier created by the cervix is disturbed*. This can happen after intrauterine device (IUD) insertion, childbirth, miscarriage or abortion. 

*SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE MAY INCLUDE:*

➡️Pain in your lower abdomen and pelvis

➡️Heavy vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor

➡️Irregular menstrual bleeding

➡️Pain during intercourse

➡️ fever

➡️Painful or difficult urination

*PID may cause only minor signs and symptoms or none at all. PID with mild or no symptoms is especially common when the infection is due to CHLAMYDIA.*

 *RISK FACTORS OF PID*

*A number of factors may increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, including:*

➡️Being a sexually active woman younger than 25 years old

➡️Having multiple sexual partners

➡️Being in a sexual relationship with a person who has more than one sex partner

➡️Having sex without a condom

➡️Having had an IUD inserted recently

➡️Douching regularly, which upsets the balance of good versus harmful bacteria in the vagina and may mask symptoms that might otherwise cause you to seek early treatment

➡️Having a history of pelvic inflammatory disease or a sexually transmitted infection.

 *COMPLICATIONS OF PID*

*Untreated pelvic inflammatory disease may cause scar tissue and collections of infected fluid (abscesses) to develop in the fallopian tubes and damage the reproductive organs. Complications may include:

*Ectopic pregnancy.* PID is a major cause of tubal (ectopic) pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg can't make its way through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can cause massive, life-threatening bleeding and require emergency surgery.

*Infertility*. PID may damage the reproductive organs and cause infertility — the inability to become pregnant. The more times you've had PID, the greater the risk of infertility. Delaying treatment for PID also dramatically increases the risk of infertility.

*Chronic pelvic pain.* Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause pelvic pain that may last for months or years. Scarring in the fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs can cause pain during intercourse and ovulation.

 *TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS OF PID

*diagnose pelvic inflammatory disease based on signs and symptoms, a pelvic exam, an analysis of vaginal discharge and cervical cultures, or urine tests.

*During the pelvic exam, the doctor uses a cotton swab to take samples from your vagina and cervix.* The samples are sent to a lab for analysis to determine the organism that's causing the infection.

*To confirm the diagnosis or to determine how widespread the infection is, the doctor may recommend other tests, such as*:

*Ultrasound*. This test uses sound waves to create images of the reproductive organs.

*Endometrial biopsy.* During this procedure, the doctor removes a small piece of the uterine lining (endometrium) for testing.

*laparoscopy.* During this procedure, the doctor inserts a thin, lighted instrument through a small incision in the abdomen to view the pelvic organs

 *TREATMENT FOR PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE MAY INCLUDE:*

*ANTIBIOTICS*. The doctor may prescribe a combination of antibiotics to start taking right away. After receiving the lab test results, the doctor may adjust the medications you're taking to better match what's causing the infection.

Usually, the doctor will request a follow-up visit in three days to make sure the treatment is working. *Be sure to take all of your medication, even if you start to feel better after a few days. Antibiotic treatment can help prevent serious complications but can't reverse any damage that's already been done*.

 *TREATMENT FOR YOUR PARTNER*. To prevent reinfection with an STI, advise your sexual partner or partners to be examined and treated. Partners can be infected and not have any noticeable symptoms.

*TEMPORARY ABSTINENCE*. Avoid sexual intercourse until treatment is completed and tests indicate that the infection has cleared in all partners.