Women & HIV/AIDS

PID

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PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) is an infection of a woman's pelvic organs (uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries). Bacteria cause PID. Bacteria can move upward, from a woman's vagina or cervix into her fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus, causing infection. Many types of bacteria can cause PID. But bacteria found in two common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — gonorrhea and chlamydia — are the most frequent causes of PID. After being infected, it can take from a few days to a few months to develop PID. The major symptoms of PID are lower abdominal pain and abnormal vaginal discharge. Other symptoms such as fever, pain in the right upper abdomen, painful intercourse, and irregular menstrual bleeding can occur as well. PID, particularly when caused by chlamydia, may produce only minor symptoms or no symptoms at all, even though it can seriously damage the reproductive organs. Untreated, PID causes scarring and can lead to infertility, tubal pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and other serious problems.

PID is more common and more aggressive in women with HIV than in uninfected women. PID may not go away or come back over and over again as a woman's immune system weakens.

Women can play an active role in protecting themselves from PID by taking the following steps:

• Call your doctor if you have discharge with odor or bleeding between periods.
• Use condoms during sex.

Additional Resources:

Publications

1.   Common Uterine Conditions: Options for Treatment — This booklet explains many common problems that can affect a woman's reproductive system and their treatment options.

   http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/uterine1.htm

2.   Fact Sheet — Pelvic Inflammatory Disease — This fact sheet provides information on pelvic inflammatory dsease (PID), including its causes, risk factors for, symptoms, and treatment.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/pelvic-inflammatory-disease.cfm

3.   Pelvic Inflammatory Disease — This fact sheet briefly describes, in layman's terms, the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and current research on pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It also discusses the risk factors and consequences associated with PID.

   http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/pelvicinflammatorydisease

4. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) (Copyright © AAFP) — This online publication provides information on pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the female reproductive organs. It explains how a woman gets it, the symptoms, and what can happen if you have PID.

   http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/reproductive/sti/213.html

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated March 4, 2009.