What are the different types of pelvic inflammatory disease?
The types of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) are defined by the parts of the reproductive tract that become inflamed due to infection. These include:

• Salpingitis. Occurs in the fallopian tubes and is the most common form of the disease.
  
  
• Myometritis. Occurs in the uterine wall.
  
  
• Endometritis. Occurs in the endometrium, or uterine lining. This should not be confused with endometriosis, an unrelated condition of the uterine lining.
  
  
• Parametritis. Occurs in the uterine serosa (the outer layer of the uterine wall) and the broad ligaments that support the uterus and pelvis.
  
  
• Oophoritis. Occurs in one or both ovaries.

What are the symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease?
Many women with pelvic inflammatory disease experience no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, lower abdominal pain and abdominal and cervical tenderness during examination are the most common ones. Other potential symptoms include unusual or odorous vaginal discharge or bleeding between menstrual periods, pain during intercourse, fever, nausea or vomiting.

What diagnostic tests may be used if PID is suspected?
A pelvic ultrasound is sometimes used to determine the areas that may be affected by pelvic inflammatory disease. Ultrasound can be useful in identifying an abscess or enlarged areas.

Sometimes a doctor will conduct a laparoscopic examination. During this procedure, the doctor inserts a slender, lighted tube through an incision in the abdomen and examines the pelvic organs. This procedure provides a view of the organs that can help the doctor diagnose and plan treatments.