A Look at Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
by
Sammie Ward
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) every year, more than one million women are diagnosed with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID is a serious condition caused by a sexually transmitted disease, usually chlamydia and gonorrhea You can also develop PID from pelvic surgery, abortions, and in some cases, the use of an Intrauterine device (IUD). PID refers to the area of the pelvic cavity that includes the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and the uterus. The infection is caused when bacteria travels to the cervix, into the uterus, and the fallopian tubes. Sexually active women during child bearing years are the most at risk, particularly under the age of 25, (though PID can occur at any age) mainly because the cervix of teenagers and young women is not fully matured, increasing the risk of STD's. Women with numerous sex partners are also at a greater risk of developing PID.
SYMPTOMS OF PID
According to Dr. Thomas Ryder, Family Practitioner at the National Naval Medical Center, in Bethesda, Maryland symptoms for PID varies for women. "Some women may experience mild symptoms to no symptoms at all," he said. "But the common symptoms for women is pain in the lower abdomen. Other signs and symptoms are:
* pain during intercourse
* pain in the pelvic area
* pain while urinating
* irregular menstrual bleeding
* vaginal discharge that may have a foul odor
* fever
COMPLICATIONS OF PID
Immediate treatment can help prevent complications of PID. "Without treatment," Dr Ryder explained "PID can cause damage to the female reproductive organs, infection enters the fallopian causing scar tissue to form. Once scar tissue is formed the tubes are blocked, sperm cannot fertilize an egg, and the woman becomes sterile. If an egg is fertilized in a partially blocked or damaged fallopian tube, it is known as an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy can rupture the fallopian tube, causing internal bleeding, and may be even death"
DIAGNOSING PID
Symptoms of PID are hard to diagnose because often there are none and the diagnosis is missed. Since there is no test for PID, the diagnosis is based on an office visit. If the woman is complaining of lower abdominal pain, a fever, abnormal vagainal or cervical discharge, the provider performs a pelvic examination. Dr. Ryder states, he takes samples from the cervix to test for gonorrhea and chyamydia, and the sample of the discharge is sent to the lab. An examination is also performed to see if the organs are healthy. This is done by the provider inserting two fingers into the vagina, and with the other hand, pressure is applied to the lower abdomen. Women with PID will experience pain during the examination. An ultrasound may also be ordered to see whether the fallopian tubes are enlarged.
TREATING PID
There are severals types of antibiotics used to cure PID. According to Dr. Ryder, Doxycline and Azithromycin are usually prescribed. If the woman is pregnant, then Ampicillin may be given. "Treating the condition does not reverse the damage that has been done to the reproductive organs", Dr. Ryder says. "The antibiotics can be given by mouth or injection, even if the symptoms go away, the woman should finish taking all of the prescribed medication. She should also follow up with the provider two to three days after starting treatment to make sure the medication is working. Her sex partners should also be treated to decrease the chance of reinfection, therefore both should not have sexual intercourse until cleared by a provider." A woman may be hospitalized if she is experiencing nausea, vomiting, a high fever pregnant, have not responded the oral medication, needs intravenous antibiotics, has an abscess in the fallopian tubes, or HIV+.
PREVENTING PID
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the main causes for PID. Women should focus on ways to prevent themselves from getting PID. If a woman is diagnosed with a STD, PID can be prevented by getting early treatment. Other ways to prevent a woman from getting an STD are:
*Abstain from sexual intercourse. Know your sexual partner's history of partners, or be in a monogamous relationship.
* Use latex condoms. Also use a spermicide to help protect against STD's
* Annual testing for chlamydia (particually sexually active women age 25 and younger)
For more information contact the:
CDC National Prevention Information National (NPIN)
P. O. Box 6003
Rockville, MD 20849-6003
1-800-458-5231
1-888-282-7681 FAX
1-800-243-7012 TTY
Email:info.cdcnpin.org
American Social Health Association (ASHA)
P.O. Box 13827
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3827
1-800-783-9877
BIO: Sammie Ward is a fiction and nonfiction writer. Her short stories has appeared in Black Confessions, Black Romance, Black Secrets, Bronze Thrills, Jive, and True Confessions to name a few. She is the author of the best sellers, It's In The Name of Love, Love To Behold, Seven Days, and It's in The Rhythm. She lives in Silver Spring, MD, where she is working on her fifth novel.
To pick up novels by author Sammie Ward and all of your favorite authors visit the Lion's Den Bookstore at: http://astore.amazon.com/ladyleopublis-20
or
www.ladyleopublishing.com
Blog with me at: http://sammieward.blogspot.com
