What Is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease? The Link to Untreated Chlamydia

30 December 2024

6 min read

2370

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: What It Is

When a woman develops Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, she acquires an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The infection generally begins when bacteria move from the vagina or cervix into the reproductive system. There are many different types of bacterial infections that can lead to PID, but the two most common are chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Symptoms of PID

Lower abdominal tenderness
Mild, foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Painful sex
Signs of irregular periods
Flu-like symptoms
Frequent or painful urination

Silent but deadly, PID affects many women but often causes very minor or no symptoms at all. Serious complications of reproductive health, including infertility and chronic pelvic pain, can result if these symptoms are left unattended.

Chlamydia and PID: How They Are Connected

Due to its asymptomatic nature, chlamydia—one of the most common STDs—often goes undiagnosed. If left unmediated, chlamydia can insidiously invade the reproductive tract and commit infection and inflammation therein. You highly increase your risk for PID if you do this.

The Silent Killer: Chlamydia, If Left Untreated

Testing is critical for early detection of chlamydia since as many as 70% of infected women have no symptoms.
Long-term Effects: Damage to the fallopian tubes due to chronic chlamydia infections may result in infertility or ectopic pregnancies.
Risk of Poisoning: Untreated chlamydia increases a woman's risk for pelvic infection, or PID, five times the rate of women receiving prompt treatment.

Check Your STD Status in Minutes

Test at Home with Remedium
Chlamydia Test Kit

Claim Your Kit Today

Save 31%

For Men & Women

Results in Minutes

No Lab Needed

Private & Discreet

Order Now $33.99 $49.00

Effects of PID on Fertility

Inability to Conceive

PID inflicts infertility on women most of the time. Infection brings scar tissue and blockages along the fallopian tubes which will make it impossible for the egg fertilization.

Chronic Pelvic Pain

One prevalent chronic sequelae of PID is the persistence of pain in the pelvic or lower abdomen. This discomfort may dramatically affect the quality of life that a woman leads.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Scar tissues resulting from PID increase the risk of ectopic pregnancies, which could be life-threatening.

How to Diagnose and Treat PID

How Does One Diagnose PID?

Diagnosis of PID requires the integration of:

History: Symptoms and sexual history.
Physical Examination: Pelvic examination may indicate abnormality or tenderness of the reproductive organs.
Laboratory Studies: STI testing, including chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Imaging Studies: Ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may show abscesses or damage to the reproductive organs.

Possible Lines of Treatment

Medications: A course of antibiotics is prescribed and usually given to treat the infection. Early treatment prevents serious complications.
Admission to the Hospital: For severe cases, intravenous administration of antibiotics or even surgery may be required for the patient.
Treatment of the Sexual Partner: This prevents reinfection.

Prevention

Curing untreated STIs is the initial approach to preventing PID. Presented are some achievable actions to reduce the risk:

Regular Testing: People who are sexually active before 25 years or with several sexual partners should go through periodic testing of STI.
Correct and Consistent Usage of Condoms: Reduces the chance of sexually transmitted infection that, in turn, prevents the chance of acquiring PID.
Timely Care: The best way to avoid complications from a diagnosed STI is to get treatment right away.
Open Communication: Talk openly with your partner about sexual health so you can both stay safe.

Check Your STD Status in Minutes

Test at Home with Remedium
7-in-1 STD Test Kit

Claim Your Kit Today

Save 62%

For Men & Women

Results in Minutes

No Lab Needed

Private & Discreet

Order Now $129.00 $343.00

For all 7 tests

Answers to Common Questions

1.- My question is, besides chlamydia, what are some other causes of PID?

Besides gonorrhea, other causes of PID include germs from non-STIs.

2.- Is there a treatment for PID?

Yes, if administered early enough with antibiotics. However, damage to the reproductive organs already caused may not be reversible.

3.- Must sexually active women be the only ones concerned about PID?

Although most instances of PID are caused by sexually transmitted diseases, other diseases may also be responsible for it in some cases.

4.- How often do I need to get tested for a sexually transmitted infection?

Those who are sexually active must be tested once every year, or even more often in case they have new or multiple partners.

5.- Can men get PID?

No, the bacterial infection—PID, affects women only; however, men can also carry the infection and can pass on.

6-. What happens if PID is not treated?

If left untreated, PID can cause chronic pain, infertility, and, occasionally, death due to complications from ectopic pregnancies.

7.- How long is PID treated?

Many patients begin to feel better within a few days of antibiotic treatment, but it is very important that the entire course of treatment be taken.

8.- Is it possible to prevent PID?

Yes, the answer is yes, provided there is timely infection treatment and safe sex along with regular STI testing.

9.- Can I get PID more than once?

Yes, after a single episode, especially when the STIs are not treated in a timely manner, one is more prone to PID.

10.- Does the use of contraception prevent PID?

Although condoms and other forms of contraception decrease sexually transmitted infections and the primary cause of PID, intrauterine devices may actually cause a slight increased risk in certain instances.

Protect Yourself! Get Tested!

The PID can be prevented by proper information regarding this disorder and treatment thereof. In an infection of a chlamydia case left untreated, it was referred to as the silent killer since it was causing the PID as well as other health serious complications. Protection of reproductive health needs testing regarding STI, practicing of safer sex, and getting help as early as possible.

Now is the time to be responsible for your health and schedule an appointment for the test, or get tested from the privacy of your home with our at-home STD test kits. Early detection saves lives and guarantees good health in the future.