The gynecologists of the Women's Specialists of Plano (http://obgynplano.com) treat young women afflicted with PID--also known as pelvic inflammatory disease. This dangerous condition is transmitted via bacteria that enters the cervix. It estimated that approximately 750,000 women within the U.S. are affected with PID.

1. This article was originally published on http://obgynplano.com on July 19, 2011
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
The Women’s Specialists of Plano, Texas (http://obgynplano.com) put together this
informational sheet on Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. They treat women—most commonly
under the age of 35—who suffer from this gynecological disease. Pelvic Inflammatory
Disease, or P.I.D. as it is commonly referred to, is an uncomfortable and at times deadly
disease that affects a small percentage of women during their childbearing years. The
symptoms of P.I.D. can be painful and very uncomfortable. It’s important for women to
understand what P.I.D. is, how it is transmitted, treated and what they can do to prevent
themselves from getting it.
Q. What is P.I.D?
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is an
infection of the uterus, fallopian
tubes, ovaries and other
reproductive organs that is caused
by the transmission of foreign
bacteria. It is a potentially serious
complication that can lead to
damage of the reproductive
organs, miscarriage, and infertility.
Q. How Common is P.I.D.
It is estimated that approximately
750,000 women within the United
States are affected by P.I.D. each
year and will seek medical
treatment for the disease.
It is most common among women with multiple sex partners, and least common among
women in monogamous relationships. Women in their childbearing years (under the age 25)
that are sexually active are at a higher risk of contracting P.I.D. than women over 25 years of
age. A woman who has previously been diagnosed with P.I.D. is at a heightened risk of
contracting the disease again.
Q. How Does a Woman Contract P.I.D?
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is initiated when a foreign bacteria moves through the opening
in a woman’s cervix and up into the reproductive organs. The disease can be contracted
many different ways, but is most commonly caused by: The STD’s Gonorrhea and
Chlamydia, Douching, and Intrauterine Devices.
Q. What are the Symptoms of P.I.D?
P.I.D commonly goes unnoticed in its early stages, even though it may be causing great
damage to a woman’s reproductive organs. Common symptoms of P.I.D. as the disease
progresses include:
• Lower Abdominal Pain

2. • Fever
• Foul Smelling Discharge
• Pain during Intercourse
• Irregular Menstruation
If the disease is not found and treated promptly, P.I.D. can cause infertility, ectopic
pregnancy, severe pain, and death.
Q. How is P.I.D. Treated?
Antibiotics are used to treat P.I.D. although they cannot reverse any damage that may have
already taken place inside the female reproductive organs. In most cases the antibiotics will
cure all symptoms associated with disease as long as the medication is taken as prescribed.
If a woman is sexual active prior to being treated for P.I.D the woman’s partner(s) should also
be treated as they may also be infected with the bacteria, though they may not have
symptoms.
A woman may have to receive inpatient treatment via the hospital is she is experiencing high
fever, is pregnant, or is experiencing a tubal pregnancy as a result of P.I.D.
Q. How Can Women Protect Themselves From P.I.D?
The best answer to this question is to abstain from sexual intercourse, unless you are sure
your partner is uninfected by any STD. It has been found that woman in a monogamous
relationship are at a much lower risk of contracting the disease than those who have multiple
partners. If abstinence is not an option for you, then it is important to make use of protection
such as condoms. Condoms have been shown to help prevent the transmission of STDs
though they are not 100% effective.
If a woman noticing any unusual symptoms (such as: irregular period, a genital sore, or foul
smelling discharge) she should consult her OBGYN immediately. P.I.D. can be prevented if
an STD can be treated before it causes serious complications.
And last but not least, any sexually active woman should be screened for STDs regularly and
thoroughly.