Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Alternative names:

oophoritis; PID; salpingitis; salpingo-oophoritis; salpingo-peritonitis

Treatment:

Uncomplicated PID may be treated on an outpatient basis with antibiotics and close follow-up.

More complicated cases or those involving widespread or well- established infection may require inpatient care (hospitalization). Intravenous antibiotics are used, and usually followed with a course of oral antibiotics. Surgery may be considered for complicated, persistent cases that do not respond to adequate antibiotic treatment. Concurrent treatment of sexual partner(s) and the use of condoms throughout the course of treatment are essential.

Expectations (prognosis):

In 15% of the cases, the initial antibiotic therapy fails, and 20% experience a recurrence of PID sometime during the reproductive years.

Complications:

The risk for ectopic pregnancy increases from 1 out of 200 to 1 out of 20 after having PID.

Infertility risks also increase:

• 15% risk of infertility following the 1st episode of PID
• 30% risk of infertility following 2 episodes of PID
• 50% risk of infertility following 3 or more episodes of PID

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of PID occur. Also call if you suspect that you have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease, or if treatment of a current STD does not seem to be effective.