The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. The doctor may suspect PID based on symptoms and exam. An internal exam of the pelvis may be done. A sample of fluid from the vagina may be taken. It will be sent to a lab for testing. Other tests may include:

Urine tests—to check for pregnancy or infection
Blood tests—to check for signs of infection

Treatment

Antibiotics can treat the infection. Sex partners should also get treated or the infection will continue. Hospital care may be needed if the infection does not clear with basic care.

PID can cause damage to pelvic organs if it is not treated. This can lead to problems with fertility, pregnancy, and cause long term pain.

Prevention

Steps that may help to prevent PID include:

Use a condom when you have sex. Put it on before genital contact.
Limit the number of people you have sex with.
Get tested for STIs. Test yearly or after sexual contact with new partners.

RESOURCES:

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
http://www.niaid.nih.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://www.sogc.org

Women's Health Matters
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca

References:

2015 STD treatment guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/. Accessed October 4, 2020.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)—CDC fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed October 4, 2020.

Pelvic inflammatory disease. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed October 4, 2020.

Last reviewed October 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Kathleen A. Barry, MD
Last Updated: 10/4/2020

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