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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PID, sexually transmitted infection (STI), and bacterial vaginosis
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is
usually caused by a
sexually transmitted infection (STI) that infects the
cervix, which connects the upper vagina to the uterus.
When the cervix is infected with an STI, it becomes easier for other bacteria
present in the vagina to get into and infect the uterus and fallopian tubes.
PID can also develop as a result of
bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is a drop in the
vagina's "good" organisms and an increase in its potentially "bad" organisms.
When this happens and the problem organisms spread into the uterus and
fallopian tubes, PID can result. (BV is not sexually transmitted.) See a
picture of the
female pelvic organs
.
The most common causes of PID are:
- Gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted bacterial infection.
- Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted bacterial infection. PID caused by chlamydia is most common among teenagers and young adult women.
PID caused by chlamydia may have milder symptoms or no symptoms (compared with PID caused by gonorrhea), which can delay diagnosis.
Practicing safe sex by using condoms prevents STIs. This greatly lowers PID risk. For more information, see the Prevention section of this topic.
For more information, see the topics Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Bacterial Vaginosis.
PID and intrauterine devices (IUDs)
Women who have an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted for birth control have a higher risk of getting PID in the first month after insertion, especially if bacterial vaginosis or an STI is present at the cervix at the time of insertion. The insertion procedure may transfer bacteria from the vagina or cervix to the uterus. Your risk of infection can be reduced if:
- You are tested and treated for STIs and bacterial vaginosis (if detected) before IUD insertion.
- The insertion is done carefully to minimize the chance of infection (clean technique).
PID that spreads to abdominal organs
PID can spread to other abdominal organs, either from the pelvic organs through the lymphatic system or from the far ends of the fallopian tubes. This may be more common in women who have just:
- Given birth.
- Had uterine tests or
other procedures, such as:
- Taking a tissue sample of the uterine lining (endometrial biopsy).
- Scraping the lining of the uterus (dilation and curettage, or D&C).
- Examining the uterus or fallopian tubes with a lighted viewing tube (hysteroscopy or hysterosalpingogram).
- Had an abortion.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: November 23, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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