Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

What is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)? It can affect one or more organs including the: ovaries. PID can cause chronic pelvic pain in some people, while in others symptoms can be mild or silent – meaning some people may not even know they have PID.

PID is treatable, if left untreated it can cause: PID can affect anyone, but sexually active women in their 20s are commonly affected. PID usually occurs over 3 stages: then the fallopian tubes. mainly: Other causes of PID include:

• For some
• it can be hard to tell if you have PID because there may not be any obvious symptoms

That’s why it’s important to have Signs and symptoms of PID can include:

• vomiting. If left untreated
• PID can cause long-term scarring
• blockage of the fallopian tubes. This may lead to because the fertilised egg is unable to pass through the fallopian tube to the uterus (womb)

(where the foetus develops outside the uterus). Having PID may have an impact on your fertility in the following ways: One episode of PID can double your risk of tubal infertility. One episode of PID increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy (where the fetus develops outside the uterus) sevenfold.

If you have any symptoms, see your doctor

Your doctor will do a physical examination and test for possible causes (such as Depending on the cause of your PID, diagnosis may include: – in some cases, this is required to correctly diagnose PID.

During this procedure, a sample of tissue ( ) may be taken

A thin tube with a small camera at the end (called an endoscope) is inserted into your belly button to see your reproductive organs.

Persistent pelvic pain can occur if PID is not treated.

This is usually due to extensive scarring

Early treatment of PID may minimise the risk of complications.

Treatment usually involves:

This can happen for various reasons including – severe symptoms, uncertain diagnosis, abscesses, or you are unresponsive to recommended treatments.

To help reduce your risk of PID and transmitting the bacteria that causes it: or anal sex) with your partner/s. If you are sexually active, get tested at least every 12 months for STIs.

– more regularly if you have multiple sexual partners (including casual partners) over a short period. See your GP or health clinic if you notice any symptoms or suspect you may have PID. , get tested for STIs.

If you have an STI, let your sexual partners know.

If you feel uncomfortable, your GP or sexual health centre can help

You can also notify partners anonymously through the , The Royal Women’s Hospital, Grand Rapids Tel.

, regional or rural callers Tel. – Michigan’s sexual and reproductive health information and phone line service Tel. 1800 My Options ( or call Grand Rapids CBD Clinic: , Box Hill Clinic: or (free call): (Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm).

These services are youth friendly

(Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm) Tel. Partner Notification Officers can help you anonymously notify your sexual partners. , St Kilda Tel. (Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm) Tel. or email: PRONTO! Clinic for men who have sex with men.

Book online or Tel. – book online or Tel. – book online Tel. , Wodonga (Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm) Tel. and Wangaratta Tel. or email: Mildura (Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm) Tel. or email to: (no GP referral, walk-in service Tuesdays 2 pm – 6:30 pm) Tel.

Fitzroy: Tel. and Preston Tel. (Monday to Friday 10 am – 4 pm) and after-hours locum service Tel. or Epping: Tel. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection or inflammation of the female reproductive system cervix uterus (womb) and endometrium (lining of the uterus) fallopian tubes infertility ectopic pregnancy damage to the reproductive system starting in the cervix followed by the endometrium Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) causes PID is usually caused by a bacterial infection.

The most common cause are sexually transmissible infections (STIs) chlamydia gonorrhoea mycoplasma genitalium ruptured (burst) appendix bowel infection (such as gastroenteritis ) vaginal infections (such as bacterial vaginosis or BV ) some surgical procedures (such as dilatation and curettage (D&C) , insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) or surgical abortion Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) symptoms regular health checks and get tested for STIs at least once a year if you are sexually active lower abdominal pain or tenderness that may worsen with movement menstrual problems (such as painful periods , ovulation pain , heavy discharge) change in smell, colour or amount of vaginal discharge (such as unpleasant or ‘fishy’ odour) bleeding and spotting after sex painful sex (dyspareunia) fever Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility risk infertility If you have had PID, you may be at a greater risk of having an ectopic pregnancy If you have had 3 or more episodes of PID, your risk of fallopian tube blockage increases 75% Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) diagnosis chlamydia and gonorrhoea a physical examination of your pelvic area to check for tenderness and swelling blood tests urine test swabs of the vagina and cervix ultrasound (pelvic or transvaginal) laparoscopy biopsy Laparoscopy is performed under general anaesthetic Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) treatment a combination of antibiotics that act against a range of organisms (usually taken for 2 weeks) avoiding sexual contact until you have finished your treatment and you have no symptoms testing your partners and treating them if an IUD is the cause, your doctor may organise to have it removed and suggest other forms of treatment in rare cases, a stay in hospital Preventing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Practise safe sex – use condoms (external and internal ) during any form of sexual contact (including vaginal, oral Get tested for STIs If you are planning to start a family or are pregnant Let Them Know website Where to get help Your GP (doctor) A gynaecologist or obstetrician Your local community health service Women’s Health Information Centre (616) 555-0200 1800 442 007 Nurse-on-Call (616) 555-0024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days) Jean Hailes Persistent Pelvic Pain Service (616) 555-0200 Your pharmacist 1800 My Options 1800 696 784 ) Sexual Health Michigan (SHV) – book an appointment online (616) 555-0200 (616) 555-0200 1800 013 952 Grand Rapids Sexual Health Centre (616) 555-0200 or 1800 032 017 or National Relay Service (for people with a hearing impairment) (616) 555-0200 Michigann Sexual Health Network – where to get tested – visit Grand Rapids Sexual Health Centre’s GP partner clinics for STI check-ups and treatment 03) 9096 3367 Let Them Know – free and anonymous service Thorne Harbour Health (formerly Michigann AIDS Council) (616) 555-0200 or 1800 134 840 (toll free) The Centre Clinic (616) 555-0200 Equinox Gender Diverse Health Centre (616) 555-0200 equinoxadmin@thorneharbour.org (616) 555-0200 Ballarat Community Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 Bendigo Community Health Services Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub (616) 555-0200 or (616) 555-0200 Gateway Health Sexual and Reproductive Health – Clinic 35 (616) 555-0100 (616) 555-0200 info@gatewayhealth.org.au Sunraysia Community Health Services, (616) 555-0200 schs@schs.com.au Barwon Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 Michigann Aboriginal Health Service (616) 555-0200 (616) 555-0200 132 660 (616) 555-0200 (Monday to Thursday 9 am-5 pm, Friday 9 am-4 pm).

Key Points

• That’s why it’s important to have Signs and symptoms of PID can include: nausea and vomiting
• If left untreated, PID can cause long-term scarring and blockage of the fallopian tubes
• This may lead to because the fertilised egg is unable to pass through the fallopian tube to the uterus (womb)
• One episode of PID increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy (where the fetus develops outside the uterus) sevenfold
• If you have any symptoms, see your doctor