Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

This fact sheet answers frequently asked questions about pelvic inflammatory disease.

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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and other reproductive organs. PID only affects women.

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The basics

How can a person get PID?

PID is a very serious complication of some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. It occurs when bacteria moves up a woman's reproductive organs.

You can increase your risk of infection by:

Having sex without using a latex or polyurethane condom
Having multiple sex partners
Having a history of other STIs
Having sex while high on drugs or under the influence of alcohol can increase your risk of unprotected sex

Who is most at risk for getting PID?

All sexually active women can get PID but certain women have a higher risk. Those at higher risk include: women under 25, women who douche, and women who use an intrauterine device (IUD). Women who have had PID before, or have had chlamydia or gonorrhea also have a higher risk of having PID.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of PID?

PID symptoms range from mild to serious but many times go unnoticed. For women who do have symptoms, the most common ones are:

Lower stomach and back pain
Fever
Unusual discharge from the vagina which may have a bad odor
Pain or burning when urinating or during sex
Bleeding, not during a period
Very rarely upper stomach pain

How serious is PID?

If left untreated, PID can cause permanent damage to female reproductive organs. This damage can lead to serious health problems such as infertility or chronic pelvic pain. Some women may experience ectopic pregnancies. Women who have had PID more than once have a higher chance of experiencing these types of complications.

How can I find out if I have PID?

PID is difficult to diagnose since many women have mild symptoms. A healthcare provider will need to perform a physical exam and may wipe the infected area with a swab to test for chlamydia or gonorrhea. It is important that you talk openly with your provider about your symptoms and your sexual history.

Testing & prevention

How can I prevent PID?

The best way to prevent getting PID is to take steps to prevent STI and to get treated early if you have an STI. For women who are sexually active, getting tested regularly for STIs can help find infections early on.

Where can I get tested?

Most health care providers offer testing for PID and other STIs. If you need a health care provider, call the Mayor’s Health Line (MHL) at 617-534-5050 and toll-free 1-800-847-0710 or click here.

How often should I get tested for an STI?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual testing for:

All sexually active women under 25 and
People at high risk, including:
- Those who have had unprotected sex
- Sex with multiple partners, or with a new partner
All pregnant women

3 months after treatment for an STI

Every time you have a new partner if you are unsure of the partner’s status

How can you protect yourself from getting PID?

The only 100% effective way to prevent PID is to not have sex.

If you do have sex, you can limit your risk by taking the following steps:

Always use a latex or polyurethane condom or barrier (dental dam) when having anal, vaginal and/or oral sex
- Condoms made from "natural" materials may protect against pregnancy but NOT STIs
Reduce your number of partners if you choose to have sex
Talk with your partner about their STI status and getting tested
Talk with your health care provider about safer sexual practices and getting tested
Understand that having sex while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol can increase the likelihood of unprotected sex

Treatment

Can you treat PID?

Yes, you can treat PID and a health care provider can prescribe the best treatment plan for you. It is important to finish the medication prescribed to you, even if symptoms go away. You should also see your health care provider for any follow-up visits recommended. Treatment cannot cure any damage from PID so early treatment is important. All recent or regular sexual partners should get tested and treated for STIs so you don’t get infected again.