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Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Do not delay care.
Understanding PID, a serious infection requiring prompt treatment to prevent permanent reproductive complications
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is infection and inflammation of the female upper reproductive tract: uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. PID most commonly results from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially chlamydia and gonorrhea, that ascend from the cervix and vagina into the uterus and beyond.
PID affects approximately 1 million women per year in the U.S. It is a major cause of infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent long-term complications.
Important: Symptoms range from mild to severe. Some women have minimal or atypical symptoms ("silent PID") but still develop complications.
PID is a clinical diagnosis. CDC recommends empiric treatment if minimum criteria present and no other cause identified. Laparoscopy is gold standard but not practical for routine diagnosis.
Begin empiric treatment if sexually active woman with pelvic/lower abdominal pain AND one or more of:
AND no other cause for findings identified.
CDC 2021 Recommended Regimens:
All sexual partners within 60 days must be evaluated and treated for gonorrhea and chlamydia, regardless of symptoms. Expedited partner therapy (EPT) may be option if partner unable to seek care.