Many
types of bacteria can cause PID, but gonorrhea or chlamydia infections are the
most common. These bacteria are usually acquired during unprotected sex.
Less
commonly, bacteria can enter your reproductive tract anytime the normal barrier
created by the cervix is disturbed. This can happen after childbirth,
miscarriage or abortion.
Risk factors
A number
of factors might increase your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, including:
- Being a sexually active woman younger than 25 years old
- Having multiple sexual partners
- Being in a sexual relationship with a person who has more than one sex partner
- Having sex without a condom
- Douching regularly, which upsets the balance of good versus harmful bacteria in the vagina and might mask symptoms
- Having a history of pelvic inflammatory disease or a sexually transmitted infection
Most
experts now agree that having an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted does not
increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. Any potential risk is
generally within the first three weeks after insertion.
Complications
Untreated
pelvic inflammatory disease might cause scar tissue. You might also develop
collections of infected fluid (abscesses) in your fallopian tubes, which could
damage your reproductive organs.
Other
complications might include:
Ectopic pregnancy. PID is a major cause of tubal
(ectopic) pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the scar tissue from PID prevents
the fertilized egg from making its way through the fallopian tube to implant in
the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can cause massive, life-threatening bleeding
and require emergency medical attention.
Infertility. PID might damage your
reproductive organs and cause infertility — the inability to become pregnant.
The more times you've had PID, the greater your risk of infertility. Delaying
treatment for PID also dramatically increases your risk of infertility.
Chronic pelvic pain. Pelvic inflammatory disease can
cause pelvic pain that might last for months or years. Scarring in your
fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs can cause pain during intercourse and
ovulation.
Tubo-ovarian abscess. PID might cause an abscess — a
collection of pus — to form in your uterine tube and ovaries. If left
untreated, you could develop a life-threatening infection.
Prevention
To
reduce your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease:
Practice safe sex. Use condoms every time you have
sex, limit your number of partners, and ask about a potential partner's sexual
history.
Talk to your doctor about
contraception.
Many forms of contraception do not protect against the development of PID.
Using barrier methods, such as a condom, might help to reduce your risk. Even
if you take birth control pills, it's still important to use a condom every
time you have sex to protect against STIs.
Get tested. If you're at risk of an STI,
such as chlamydia, make an appointment with your doctor for testing. Set up a
regular screening schedule with your doctor if needed. Early treatment of an
STI gives you the best chance of avoiding PID.
Request that your partner be
tested. If you
have pelvic inflammatory disease or an STI, advise your partner to be tested
and, if necessary, treated. This can prevent the spread of STIs and possible
recurrence of PID.
Don't
douche. Douching upsets the balance of bacteria in your vagina. Pelvic inflammatory
disease
Source: Mayo Clinic
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