PID

 

What is PID?

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is an infection of a woman’s reproductive organs. Most PID infections are caused by complications related to sexually transmitted diseases, most commonly gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Only women can have Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. All PID infections are not caused by sexually transmitted infections. PID in Hampton Roads is treatable.

What are the symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Unfortunately, there is no test for PID. Doctors look at your current symptoms, test results, and your medical history to diagnose PID. Women with PID may notice that they have bleeding between periods, fever, pain or bleeding during sex, discharge or odor from their vagina, pain in their lower abdomen, or a burning sensation when peeing.

How can PID in Hampton Roads be prevented?

The best way to reduce your chances of getting Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is to reduce your risk of getting an STD. This can be done through abstinence, proper use of a condom each time you have sex, or through having sex with partners with negative STD test results. Get tested here.

How can PID be treated in Norfolk or Newport News?

Early intervention has the best outcome with PID. If you think you have PID, you should call your doctor to schedule an appointment for STI testing in Hampton Roads immediately.

There are different ways to treat Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in Hampton Roads. PID is treated with several types of antibiotics. Your healthcare provider will recommend the best treatment for you based off of your symptoms. It is important that you take all of your medicine even if you feel better. Your partner should also be treated, even if they don’t have symptoms. Reinfection can occur if your partner isn’t treated and you two have unprotected sex again.

The longer you wait for treatment, the higher your chances of infertility. If you have any pelvic pain, you should seek treatment immediately.

What happens if you don’t get treated?

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease should be treated as early as possible. If Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is not treated, it can cause serious complications. It can cause long-term pelvic pain, scar tissue inside of the fallopian tubes, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. This damage is irreversible. The best outcomes of PID in Hampton Roads come from early intervention.

Minority AIDS Support Services has been serving the Hampton Roads area for more than 20 years. Schedule your free STI testing appointment in Norfolk or Newport News testing office here.