It is a chronic infection (pelvic inflammation) that affects the uterus, the fallopian tubes, and the surrounding organs in the pelvic area, such as the ovaries and the intestine.
The symptoms include pain in the lower part of the abdomen, often bilateral (that is, on both sides), which is accompanied by lower back pain.
Some patients report pain during urination, discomfort during sexual intercourse, vaginal discharge, and pain during bowel movements.
Pelvic inflammatory disease may be caused by a sexually transmitted infection or by an infection in a nearby organ, e.g., the appendix. In some cases, it is secondary to a systemic infection that is carried from another part of the body to the pelvis through the bloodstream.
Diagnosis is usually made based on medical history, physical examination, blood tests, and swabs taken from the vagina, the cervix, and sometimes from the urethra (the tube that connects the bladder to the external environment) for bacteriological examination. Other tests that may be performed include ultrasound and laparoscopy. Chlamydia is the most common cause, as it is found in 50% of cases. Gonorrhea is also quite common. However, in approximately 20% of patients, no clear cause is identified.
Treatment includes the administration of two different types of antibiotics simultaneously, as well as the use of analgesic medications.
If you currently have or have had pelvic inflammatory disease (or pelvic inflammation) in the past and wish to receive more detailed information about your condition, please register for our secure service and complete the structured questionnaire. After that, you will receive detailed, evidence-based information tailored specifically to your case, including information on diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and the effects of this inflammation on your health. The relevant information will be provided personally to you by a specialized professional with many years of experience.
