Pelvic inflammatory disease caused by STDs – chlamydia and gonorrhea – can increase the risk of infertility in women

Pelvic inflammatory disease caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can increase the risk of infertility in women. If STDs are left untreated, they can result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – a serious condition, which causes infertility in one in eight women. PID can be prevented, thus reducing the risk of infertility and other complications associated with pelvic inflammatory disease.

Pelvic inflammatory disease causes

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is caused by sexually transmitted diseases. A PID is caused by either an untreated STD, having more than one sexual partner, having sex with a partner who has had numerous partners with a history of PID, being sexually active under the age of 25, douching, or using an intrauterine device (IUD) as a method of birth control.

You can lower pelvic inflammatory disease risk factors by being in a long-term monogamous relationship with a person who has been negatively tested for STD, and using latex condoms correctly.

Pelvic inflammatory disease symptoms

There is currently no test specific for PID, but your doctor can diagnose it based on your signs and symptoms, along with medical test results. Symptoms of PID can range in severity from fairly mild to quite severe. Symptoms associated with PID include:

• Pain in the lower abdomen region
• Fever
• Unusual discharge followed by a bad odor from the vagina
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Bleeding between periods

These symptoms may overlap with a urinary tract infection – another health issue which can lead to complications if untreated – and so it’s important you see your doctor to distinguish between the two.

Pelvic inflammatory disease treatment

If caught early, PID can be cured. But if damage has occurred, unfortunately, it cannot be reversed through treatment. The longer PID goes untreated, the more damage can occur to the reproductive system, ultimately leading to infertility.

Antibiotics can be prescribed and should be taken until completion, even though the symptoms may have gone away. If your partner has an STD, they also should receive treatment in order to prevent future occurrences of PID.

Complications of PID include:

• Scar tissue formation inside and outside of the fallopian tubes, which can block the tubes
• Ectopic pregnancy – pregnancy outside of the womb
• Infertility
• Long-term pelvic and abdominal pain

If you begin to experience any of the symptoms listed above, speak to your doctor immediately, so treatment can begin right away in order to reduce your risk of complications associated with PID.

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Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm