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Women's Health: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Pelvic inflammatory (in-FLAM-uh-tory) disease (PID) is an
infection of the female organs. It is most common in women in
their late teens or early 20's who have more than one sexual
partner. The disease starts in the vagina and moves into
the uterus, up the tubes, and into the ovaries. Sometimes it
spreads to other areas in the abdomen.
PID can make it difficult to become pregnant in the
future, and can cause chronic (long-term) abdominal pain. The
disease can also lead to a tubal pregnancy, which can be a
serious problem.
Causes
PID can be caused by either
bacteria or viruses. You can get it by having sex with an
infected partner. The more sexual partners you have, the higher
the risk of getting PID. Childbirth, abortion, or abdominal
surgery can also cause PID.
Signs/Symptoms
Fever, painful periods, pain
during sex, abdominal pain, and bad-smelling vaginal discharge
are typical symptoms. You also may have pain when you
urinate and you may urinate more often. And you may have
vaginal bleeding.
Your symptoms will depend on where the infection is and
which germ has caused it. You may feel worse if you have had
the infection longer than a week.
Care
Your doctor will do a pelvic exam
(also called an ""internal''). Samples of discharge from your
vagina will be sent to the lab for tests. Blood samples will be
taken. You may be prescribed an antibiotic to treat your
infection. Take it until it is all gone, even if you feel
better. Your sexual partner (or partners) will also need
antibiotic treatment.
You may need to be put in the hospital if your infection
is serious.
Risks
Without treatment the infection
can get worse and possibly even fatal.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Call Your Doctor If...
-
Your symptoms come back after you have finished your
medicine.
-
You get any new symptoms. They could be caused by
your medicine.
Seek Care Immediately
If...
-
Your abdominal pain gets
worse.
-
You get chills, fever, nausea or
vomiting.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature,
blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and
respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
Medicines: You will probably be given antibiotics to
fight the infection. Your doctor may also give you
medicines to help your pain. Either can be taken by mouth
or put in your IV.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or
from the bend in your elbow. Tests will be done on the
blood.
After You Leave
-
Take all your medicine. Call your doctor if you do
not feel it is working. Do not stop taking it on your
own.
-
Warm baths or a heating pad on ""low'' may help
relieve your pain.
-
Do not put anything in your vagina until your
infection is gone. You should not
douche.
-
Use sanitary pads if you have a period while taking
your medicines.
-
Your doctor will tell you how soon you can have
sex.
-
Make sure your partner(s) have finished their
antibiotic treatment before having sex with
them.
-
Have your male partner(s) use condoms. This will help
protect you from being infected
again.
-
Remember, if you have sex with only one partner, you
have less a chance of getting
PID.
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