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
- 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.
Related Reading:
Sperm gene could mean cure for infertility
According to the World Health Organization, infertility affects between 50 and 80 million people worldwide, and half of infertile couples fail to reproduce because of problems with the man’s fertility. The medical definition of infertility is “the failure to conceive following twelve months of unprotected intercourse.” Continue reading…
Multiple sclerosis patients who undergo infertility treatments have higher relapse rates
Multiple sclerosis patients who undergo infertility treatments have higher relapse rates. Multiple sclerosis can bring upon many health complications, infertility being one of them. Research published in Annals of Neurology found that multiple sclerosis patients who undergo assisted reproduction technology (ART) face a higher risk of disease activity and multiple sclerosis relapse. Continue reading…