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.
Lower Abdominal Pain
Pain in the lower abdomen is the most common symptom of pelvic inflammatory disease. 2 The pain can feel like dull pressure or a more intense cramping-type pain. In chronic PID, the pain might be mild but is present all the time.
If you do recognize any signs of pelvic inflammatory disease, seek medical attention as soon as possible. With PID, symptoms can come and go—even if the infection or inflammation continues to affect the body.
When you have PID, you may feel pain in your lower abdomen (belly) or pelvis. You may also have unusual discharge (leaking) from your vagina. Severe PID can cause permanent damage your reproductive organs and prevent you from getting pregnant. Getting tested and treated for STIs is the best way to prevent PID.
Pain in the lower abdomen is the most common symptom of PID. The pain can range from a dull pressure to an intense cramping pain.
The most common symptom of PID is pain in the lower belly. The pain is often described as cramping or a dull and constant ache. It may be worse during sex, during bowel movements, or when you urinate.
The signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease might be mild and difficult to recognize. Some women don't have any signs or symptoms. When signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) are present, they most often include: Pain — ranging from mild to severe — in your lower abdomen and pelvis.
Listed are the most common signs and symptoms of PID: Abnormal vaginal discharge. Pain in the lower abdomen (often a mild ache) Pain in the upper right abdomen.
If you have PID, it is common to not notice any symptoms or to mistake your symptoms for a different illness. The most common symptom is pain in the lower abdomen, usually on both sides.
Many types of bacteria can cause PID. The bacteria found in two common sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea and chlamydia) are the most frequent causes. PID often develops from 2 days to 3 weeks after exposure to the bacteria, but it may take months to develop.
Ectopic pregnancy occurs in around 9% of women with PID and about 18% experience chronic pelvic pain.
pain around the pelvis or lower tummy. discomfort or pain during sex that's felt deep inside the pelvis. pain when peeing. bleeding between periods and after sex.
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)
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. Take this medicine at the same time every day. Take all the medicine you were prescribed, even if you feel better.
Laparoscopically confirmed visual findings of edema and erythema of the fallopian tubes, clubbing of the fimbriae or the presence of tubo-ovarian abscess are considered the gold standard for diagnosing PID.
PID can be misdiagnosed as appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, ruptured ovarian cysts or other problems.
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be confirmed using laparoscopic or histopathologic examination of endometrial or fallopian tube biopsies, with laparoscopy traditionally considered the gold standard for PID diagnosis.
Most cases of PID are presumed to occur in 2 stages. The first stage is acquisition of a vaginal or cervical infection. This infection is often sexually transmitted and may be asymptomatic.
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%.
A pelvic exam.
During the exam, your provider will check your pelvic region for tenderness and swelling. Your provider may also use cotton swabs to take fluid samples from your vagina and cervix.
A pelvic ultrasound is a helpful procedure for diagnosing PID. An ultrasound can view the pelvic area to see whether the fallopian tubes are enlarged or whether an abscess is present. In some cases, a laparoscopy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Your doctor will begin by asking you questions about your symptoms, your medical and sexual history, and your personal hygiene habits. Your doctor will then perform a pelvic exam to feel for any swelling and to identify areas that are painful and tender.