DO YOU SUFFER WITH PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE?

[flowerbomb]

I would very much like to hear from women suffering with PID.

Each individual story is very important and your experience may help others.

I have recently found out I suffer from PID during removal of an ovarian cyst.

I didn't know anything about PID and was shocked to learn how it can be caused.

It is now very important to me to raise awareness and educate others. Whilst many PID sufferers have no symptoms - others suffer extreme pelvic pain. Many women suffering with PID can become infertile.

IF YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE PLEASE READ INFO BELOW:

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a bacterial infection of the female upper genital tract, including the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

It’s a common disease and around 1 in 50 sexually active women in the UK are diagnosed with PID every year. Many more women with PID experience few or no symptoms.

PID mostly affects sexually active women between the ages of 15 and 24.

What are the symptoms of PID?

PID can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms of PID are not always obvious. However, the warning signs can include:

pain around the pelvis or lower abdomen

discomfort or pain during sex that is felt deep inside the pelvis

bleeding between periods and after sex

unusual vaginal discharge, especially if it is yellow or green

fever and vomiting

Most cases of PID are caused by an infection that has spread from the vagina or the neck of the womb (cervix) to the reproductive organs higher up.

Many different types of bacteria can cause PID, but most cases are the result of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.

This means that the most effective way of preventing PID is to protect yourself against STIs by using a barrier method of contraception such as a male or female condom, and to get regular sexual health check-ups.

Read more information about the causes of PID.

What happens?

When infection spreads upwards from the cervix (entrance to the womb), it causes one or more of the following:

inflammation and infection of the endometrium (womb lining), known as endometritis

inflammation and infection of the fallopian tubes, known as salpingitis

inflammation and infection of the tissue around the womb, known as parametritis

inflammation and infection of the ovaries, known as oophoritis

a pocket of infected fluid in the ovary and fallopian tube, known as an abscess

inflammation and infection of the peritoneum (lining of the inside of the abdomen), known as pelvic peritonitis

If you develop salpingitis, the lining of the fallopian tubes swells and the canals become even narrower. This means that fertilised eggs may not be able to move along them normally, increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that starts outside of the womb) and infertility.

Read more information about the complications of PID.

Treating PID

If diagnosed at an early stage, PID can be treated quickly with a course of antibiotics which usually lasts for 14 days. It is important to complete the whole course, and to avoid having sexual intercourse during this time as it can interrupt the healing process.

However, further infection is common. After a first episode of PID, one woman in five has more episodes, mostly within two years.

Read more information about how PID is treated.

Fertility

An estimated one woman in five who have PID becomes infertile as a result. However, most women are able to get pregnant without problems after a single episode of PID.

[BASHH1]

The British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) have a new healthunlocked forum (find us in the communities list). Post a question on sexual health in gerneral or PID and get information from sexual health professionals.

Flowerbomb - It would be great if you could do a blog for us on our community regarding your experences.

[BASHH1 in reply to BASHH1]

Apologies about my spelling !

[PPSN_JudyB Pelvic Pain Support Netwo]

Flowerbomb,

We shall be searching the literature and producing information on chronic pain resulting from PID and would welcome your help with this. There is a close link with adhesions here and as with all the other issues we deal with , very poor recognition ! The page we have currently about acute PID is due for review under the Information Standard. Pr J Ross reviewed this the first time around before we had the Information Standard certification.

Thank you for helping us with this on our panel.

[gone]

flowerbomb, I would like to try find out more info about this. I have endo but i really dont understand it all completely and i've had it since i was 17, and i still don't have the full answers, could you help with this? thanks.

[lusal]

I have been diagonised after 1 month,although i had been put on uti treatment,the pain persisted after 2 weeks and had to go for pelvic ultra sound.Am worried about any damages and is it possible that it will clear compeletely.can i be able to concieve.

[PPSN_JudyB Pelvic Pain Support Netwo in reply to lusal]

It's hard to say whether your ability to conceive will be affected by this as it depends on where any damage is. If you don't conceive within a reasonable time of trying ( a few months) you should ask to see a fertility specialist. If this is the case it pays to do your research regarding who to see. Come back here to ask and I can help.

[lara5710]

Hi, i submitted a post yesterday re a serious postpartum nfection (pseudomonas aeroginosa, may be soelt wrong?!)i contracted from hidp, caused me endless problems, i"ll elaborate if it helps to hear a different view or any help would be v much appreciated x

[lara5710 in reply to lara5710]

Hospital acquired. My silly phone!

[ANDYLEE]

Hello

I am seeking some advice - Ihave been suffering from PID for 7 months now possibly longer before the symptoms became bad enought to notice after thinking I had a history of BV and Candida ...no doctors have been able to help me .. finally after countless tests ureaplasma showed up and the antibiotics treated it but I am still haviung pain and now an increase in symptoms again ...the dotor diagnosed me with vulvodynia nd cystitis which I call BS ..every test has sgown a high white cell cunt .. my body is figjhting inflammation. I had 2 separate 7 day treatments of doxycycline that were months apart and one course of zinnat .. I showed a very small decrease in symptoms after the course of zinnat but now I am bad again .. I believe that I need a long dose and a different or stronger combo of antibiotocs. What treatment has worked in the past ? I am finding life very har to deal with because of this as I ma sure other women out there who are unable to cure their problems can relate to any advice is greatly appreciated..

[1192rachel in reply to ANDYLEE]

Hi. I found moxifloxacin worked for me as the usual metronizodol gave me awful side effects. Hope this helps.

[introuble in reply to 1192rachel]

I have ureaplasma parvum

Treated with moxi and get tested for second time.... negative result

[thickemz412]

Ive had symtoms for about 2 months now they first diagnosed me with BV.. did a round of flagyl ... gave me a yeast infestion.. once that cleared.. bomb PID. I went to the ER due to the pain and I have 12 more days on meds ( doxy ). My question is ... when will my discharge become normal again ? Aftet I take the meds , does normal discharge return or ... ?? Anything more we have to do to become normal again ?

[Margaritamix]

Did the Doxy make you feel better?