Pelvic Inflammatory Disease What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease? (known to medical professionals) as PID is an infection that affects a woman’s reproductive system. Exists when disease causing organisms (bacteria) migrate from the urethra & cervix into upper genital tract. PID only occurs in women, primarily in Caucasian women & is contracted by the STD’s gonorrhea & Chlamydia. Symptoms of PID: Pain in lower abdominal region disassociated with a period. Fever Can range from subtle &mild to sudden onset of moderate to severe pain Unusual vaginal discharge that may have a foul odor Pain during intercourse Irregular menstrual bleeding. Back pain Urinary discomfort Pain during a pelvic exam Patho-physiology of PID: Bacterial Chlamydia & gonorrhea enter woman’s genital tract & move toward the cervix. Penetrates cervical mucus which protects against spread of microorganisms, having access to upper genital tract of women, infecting uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, & other structures in the pelvic cavity. Risk Factors Associated with PID, Women who are at risk of PID are those who engage in unprotected sexual activity. Women who have multiple sex partners. Women who have sex with partner who reports symptoms of an STD. Women who have experienced previous pelvic infections Sexually active women under age 25; statistics show sexually active teenage girls are more likely to develop PID than are older women Diagnosing PID: Often difficult 1 million women because symptoms experience an episode of can be mild PID per year Perform physical 20% of PID diagnosed exam (pelvic exam), women are hospitalized pelvic ultrasound, & for treatment sometimes Medical reports indicate laparoscopy In U.S. PID affects 11% of women of reproductive age PID causes 2.5 million office visits & 125150,000 hospitalizations a year Results of PID: Can be life threatening Causes complications of conception, pregnancy, & fertility Inflammation of fallopian tubes Scarring of abdominal cavity tissue Scarring of fallopian tubes, causing blockage which can lead to ectopic pregnancy (tubal conception) Diagnosed women have 6-10 times increase of ectopic pregnancy Causes high pregnancy-related deaths among African American Created by: Melissa Richard References <http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/stpid.htm> <http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1774.html > <http://www.4woman.gov/faqstdpids.htm> <http://my.webmd.com/hw/chronicpelvicpain/hw 43423.asp>