Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Dealing Day-to-Day

Reviewed By:
Joanne Poje Tomasulo, M.D., ACOG

Pelvic inflammatory disease is often easy to prevent and simple to treat. As long as it is caught quickly, it can be cured before any lasting damage occurs. Tips to help women concerned about PID include:

 

1. Practice safe sex
   Most cases of pelvic inflammatory disease are caused by bacteria commonly found in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Practicing safe sex reduces your risk for STDs and, likewise, PID.
   
   Always using latex condoms during sex minimizes the risk of STD transmission.
   
   The fewer sexual partners you have, the less likely you are to come into contact with a sexually transmitted disease.
   
   Knowing your partners' sexual history gives you a better idea of whether they are at high risk for sexually transmitted disease.
   
   Requesting a test from potential sexual partners to identify any STDs before having sex will give you crucial information.
   
   
2. If you are at risk, get tested for chlamydia
   Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States and one of the most common causes of pelvic inflammatory disease. Because it may not cause any symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual chlamydia testing for all sexually active women age 25 and younger and for older women at risk for chlamydia because they have multiple sex partners or a new sex partner.
   
   Chlamydia tests for women include a vaginal and cervical swab or a urine test. It is also important for your spouse or partner to be tested for chlamydia. Men get even fewer chlamydia symptoms, but they can still transmit the disease.
   
   
3. Don't douche
   Women who use vaginal douches may increase their risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. Douches can force bacteria from the vagina into the upper reproductive organs. Douching also can change the composition of the naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina and make it easier for harmful outside bacteria to be introduced farther inside the body.
   
   
4. Practice good hygiene
   Wipe from front to back after urination and bowel movements. Wiping from the back to the front may introduce bacteria from the colon into the vagina. The bacteria can get pushed past the cervix, where they may cause pelvic inflammatory disease.
   
   
5. Talk to your doctor about intrauterine device (IUD) risks
   An IUD is a birth control device that is inserted through the cervix by a doctor. This procedure may push bacteria from the vagina past the cervix and into the uterus, leading to PID.
   
   When pelvic inflammatory disease occurs this way, it may not be noticed until it is more advanced. The early symptoms of PID may be mistaken for symptoms caused by the insertion of the IUD. Testing for and treating any sexually transmitted diseases before IUD insertion reduces PID risk.
   
   
6. If you have any symptoms, see your doctor and be open and honest about your concerns
   If PID is treated early, it will not cause any lasting damage. It is important to tell your doctor about your sexual history and the STD status of your current and previous sexual partners.
   
   
7. Inform your sexual partners if an STD was the cause of PID
   If your pelvic inflammatory disease was caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea, your sexual partners should be informed so they can seek medical treatment.
   
   While you are being treated for PID, you should abstain from sexual activity until the infection is cured and your partners have also been treated for any infection. If you continue to be sexually active with a partner who has not been treated for a sexually transmitted disease, you may be reinfected with the disease.
   
   
8. Speak to your doctor about the risk of infertility
   PID can cause scarring that may lead to infertility. If you have had pelvic inflammatory disease and want to become pregnant, consult your gynecologist to determine if you sustained any damage that will affect fertility.