Vaginal discharge that is yellow or green and may have an unpleasant smell. Irregular menstrual periods, such as extra-long periods, spotting, or cramps throughout the month. Chills, fever, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Pain during sex.
When signs and symptoms of PID are present, they most often include: Pain — ranging from mild to severe — in your lower abdomen and pelvis. Unusual or heavy vaginal discharge that may have an unpleasant odor. Unusual bleeding from the vagina, especially during or after sex, or between periods.
Treating the Infection
To fully treat PID, you may need to take one or more antibiotics. Taking antibiotic medicine will help clear the infection in about 2 weeks.
Pelvic inflammatory disease causes different symptoms in different women. These may include: A dull pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen. Vaginal discharge that is yellow or green and may have an unpleasant smell.
But symptoms of PID can also start suddenly. They can include: Pain or tenderness in your stomach or lower abdomen (belly), the most common symptom. Abnormal vaginal discharge, usually yellow or green with an unusual odor.
Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) - chlamydia, mycoplasma genitalium and gonorrhoea are the most common cause of PID. Use condoms with any new partner and get regular testing for STIs (at least once a year) can reduce your risk of PID.
Many women do not know they have PID because they do not have any signs or symptoms. When symptoms do happen, they can be mild or more serious. Signs and symptoms include: Pain in the lower abdomen (this is the most common symptom)
Doctors can usually find out if you have PID by doing a pelvic exam. You may also be tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other infections, because they often cause PID. Your nurse or doctor may take samples of urine, blood, and/or fluids from your vagina and cervix.
PID occurs most frequently in women ages 15 to 25 years.
PID symptoms can appear shortly after being diagnosed with an STD such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. It may take upwards of a year for most people to develop PID, but others can develop it earlier, depending on the severity of the infection.
Painful urination is most often a symptom of a bladder infection. If left untreated, a bladder infection can worsen and travel into your uterus or ovaries, causing pelvic inflammatory disease. If you are experiencing pain while urinating, your gynecologist will most likely test your urine for infection.
If it's diagnosed at an early stage, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can be treated easily and effectively with antibiotics. These can be prescribed by your GP or a doctor at a sexual health clinic. But left untreated, it can lead to more serious long-term complications.
PID can also be caused by other untreated infections, like bacterial vaginosis.
PID can permanently scar and damage the fallopian tubes, causing blockage of the tubes. About 12% of women suffer enough tubal damage from one episode of PID to become infertile. After three episodes of PID, the infertility rate reaches 50%.
Sexually active women of childbearing age are most at risk for PID. The more sex partners a woman has, the higher her risk of getting PID. Women who are 25 or younger are more likely to get PID than those older than 25. Women who douche may be at higher risk for PID than women who don t douche.
The main cause of PID is through a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea or mycoplasma genitalium. These bacteria usually only infect the cervix, where they can be easily treated with antibiotics.
Clear and stretchy — This is “fertile” mucous and means you're ovulating. Clear and watery — This occurs at different times of your cycle and can be particularly heavy after exercising. Yellow or green — May indicate an infection, especially if it's thick or clumpy like cottage cheese or has a foul odor.
Pelvic inflammatory disease and STIs
If you did have PID you would probably have other symptoms which may have been picked up on during your smear test. If you do have any concerns about having an STI, visit your doctor (GP) or your nearest GUM clinic to arrange to have some tests.
Vaginal discharge that is chunky, foamy or accompanied by itching and changes in color may mean you have an infection. Color: Vaginal discharge is healthy if it's clear, milky white or off-white. Dark yellow, brown, green or grey discharge may indicate an infection or other issue.
But as the infection gets worse, you can have: Pain in your lower belly and pelvis. Heavy discharge from your vagina with an unpleasant odor. More bleeding than usual during your period.
Sometimes PID can lead to long-term (chronic) pain around your pelvis and lower abdomen, which can be difficult to live with and lead to further problems, such as depression and difficulty sleeping (insomnia). If you develop chronic pelvic pain, you may be given painkillers to help control your symptoms.