Unfortunately, PID isn't always accompanied by obvious symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, or a vaginal discharge. Sometimes the disease is "silent" and has mild symptoms or none at all, especially in women whose PID is caused by a germ called Chlamydia trachomatis, the most common cause of sexually transmitted disease. In women who have been rendered infertile by an infection in their fallopian tubes (the medical term is salpingitis), roughly half don't remember having any symptoms at all!
For those who do have symptoms, the most common is a dull, constant pain in the lower abdomen. This pain may be aggravated by movement or sexual activity. The hallmark of the condition is pain or tenderness as the doctor probes during a physical examination.
Since PID is often associated with a coexisting infection of the cervix, or birth canal, some women may notice a vaginal discharge. In fact, this is often one of the first symptoms of the disease. Only about 1 in 3 women who are diagnosed with PID has a fever. Nausea and vomiting may also signal PID, but they usually occur when the disease has progressed to peritonitis, in which the infection spreads to the lining of the abdomen.
Although some of the symptoms of PID, such as abdominal pain, vaginal discharge and fever, can signal a variety of diseases, it's wise to consult a physician promptly if you have one or more. If you do turn out to have PID, the earlier you start treatment, the better will be your chances of avoiding infertility.
| Infection Lurks Hidden for Many with PID Though it can easily render you infertile, your first warning of PID might not come until you have a physical exam. As shown here, PID can attack the uterus, the fallopian tubes leading from the ovaries, even the nearby abdominal lining; yet until the infection becomes very serious, you may feel nothing. If you have an active sex life, you owe it to yourself to get regular checkups for this if for no other reason. |
