Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a condition of the reproductive organs, characterized by inflammation and pain in the pelvic region.
Untreated PID can lead to scar tissue and pockets of inflamed fluid (tonsil stones) to form in the pelvic region, which can result in long-term damage.
Although PID is very common among women, many cases occur among men as well. The exact reasons why people may contract PID are not known. Some studies have pointed to genetic factors, while others have linked it to stress and immune system deficiencies.
For women, PID is usually caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), a common virus that can infect virtually any part of the body. However, this virus cannot live inside a woman’s vagina. When it invades the cervix, though, it causes cervical cancer.
It can also spread through sexual contact.
The HPV virus attacks the mucous membranes in the throat and genitalia. Because the lining of these organs is so delicate, HPV often causes inflammation and damage to the tissue, making it very difficult for the immune system to fight off the virus. This is why many women with persistent symptoms report feeling unwell.
If you are a woman who has been diagnosed with PID, you should talk to your doctor about the possibility that you might have HPV. Your doctor will perform a test called a Pap smear to look for abnormal changes. If you do have abnormal changes, your doctor may be able to diagnose you with PID.
In most cases, though, your doctor will only be able to confirm that you have PID if you are already pregnant.
Most doctors treat female patients with antibiotics to prevent further infections from HPV. Antibiotics do have some side effects, but they are generally not fatal. They also have been known to have an effect on the development of fetal growth. Therefore, pregnant women should be treated with caution.
In addition to antibiotics, doctors often prescribe anti-inflammatory medications for women who are diagnosed with PID. These medications work by reducing the symptoms of inflammation, pain and discomfort. The goal of these medications is to help the body heal itself.
As such, there is less risk of scarring and infection.
In addition to the medications mentioned above, there are other medications doctors may prescribe to treat PID. These medications include pain relievers, antibiotics, and pain relief creams. There are a number of natural treatments for PID, too. You should speak with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your treatment options.
One of the most common reasons women visit a doctor when they have pelvic inflammatory disease is to ask about possible side effects of their treatment plan. Because treatment for many diseases is similar, doctors have to be careful to mention the risks and side effects of each medication they prescribe.
For instance, some medications may cause a burning or itching sensation while you are taking the medication.
Others may cause a loss of energy or dizziness. In rare cases, some medications may cause nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, or diarrhea.
Some medications that help with the symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease can be very helpful, but do not work to treat the actual cause of the disease. While some medications can relieve the pain caused by the disease, they do nothing to stop the spread of the disease.
In cases where there is no way to treat the underlying condition, many doctors recommend surgery as a way to control the progression of the disease. This can be a painful and expensive procedure, so if you’re diagnosed with PID, talk to your doctor about possible options. Some doctors recommend removing the cervix if it has not already ruptured.
While there is no cure for this condition, medical intervention can be used to treat the symptoms. In some cases, you may only need to take medication to ease the discomfort caused by the infection and keep the infection from recurring.