|
What
Is PID and Why Do I Have It?
PID
-- pelvic inflammatory disease -- is basically an
infection in the pelvic region and upper genital tract
caused by any of a group of infectious agents or
microorganisms.
In many cases, PID is caused by untreated
sexually transmitted diseases, making young women and
those who have multiple sex partners the most
vulnerable.
Sexually
transmitted diseases initially cause infection in the
cervix and vagina and, when not promptly treated, the
microorganisms can spread to infect the uterus and
fallopian tubes, as well.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia are often the culprits,
but in many cases there is more than one organism to
blame for PID.
The
symptoms include lower abdominal pain -- sometimes
severe -- fever and general malaise.
There is no single test for PID, so a number of
factors in addition to a physical exam are taken into
account in making the diagnosis.
One of the most important of these is to
consider the patient's sexual history and risk
factors.
There are many other conditions which share the
same symptoms, so the doctor must rule out
appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, an ovarian cyst or
any other condition which might require immediate
surgery or emergency treatment.
When these other, serious disorders cannot be
ruled out., a laparoscopy may be recommended to allow
a visual inspection of the upper genital area.
This is a
minimally invasive, outpatient
procedure that involves inserting a scope into
the abdomen through tiny incisions.
Many
cases of PID go undiagnosed and untreated because the
symptoms are never particularly serious and are easily
ignored.
Consequently, it is one of the leading causes
of infertility for women in their childbearing years..
Most cases can be treated with a broad spectrum
antibiotic and a follow up visit.
For the best results, however, the patient's
partner should be treated with antibiotics, as well.
|
