PROTECT YOURSELF + PROTECT YOUR PARTNER

pelvic inflammatory disease

THE FACTS

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a 

serious complication of some sexually 

transmitted diseases (STDs). 

• PID is a general name for infections of the 

womb, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.

• PID is common. Women can get 

PID if they have an STD (like chlamydia 

[cla MI dee a] or gonorrhea [gon a REE a]) 

that isn’t treated.

• PID can be treated, and being treated 

promptly may reduce your chance of 

having complications from PID.
HOW CAN I LOWER MY RISK FOR PID?

• To prevent PID, avoid getting an STD.

• If you do have an STD, see a doctor and get it treated right away.

• The surest way to avoid getting an STD is not to have sex, or to have sex only with 

someone who’s not infected and who has sex only with you.

• Condoms can reduce your risk of getting some STDs if they are used the right way every 

single time you have sex.

• Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex will not prevent any STD.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF I HAVE PID? 

There's no test for PID. Usually, a doctor will decide if you have it from your symptoms. The 

doctor can examine you and give you a test for chlamydia or gonorrhea. These common 

STDs often cause PID. 

PROTECT YOURSELF + PROTECT YOUR PARTNER

HOW DO WOMEN GET PID? 

• PID is a complication of some STDs. You can get an 

STD by having sex with an infected partner.

• If you don’t treat the STD infection, it can spread. PID 

occurs when the infection gets into the womb and 

other organs that enable a woman to have children.

• Women who douche may have a higher risk of 

getting PID than women who do not douche. 

This is because douching causes harmful changes 

in the healthy bacteria that live in the vagina.
WHO'S AT RISK FOR PID? 

• Sexually active women of childbearing age are 

most at risk for PID. The more sex partners a 

woman has, the higher her risk of getting PID.

• Women who are 25 or younger are more likely 

to get PID than those older than 25.

• Women who douche may be at higher risk for 

PID than women who don t douche.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PID? 

Very often, women (and their doctors) don’t realize that they 

have PID because the symptoms may be mild. Some women, 

however, have severe symptoms. You might notice:

• Pain in the lower abdomen.

• Fever.

• An unusual discharge from your vagina, with a bad odor.

• Pain when you have sexual intercourse.

• Bleeding between periods.

WHEN SHOULD I BE EXAMINED?

You should be examined by a doctor if:

• You have any symptoms (like pain when you 

have sex or a smelly discharge from your vagina).

• You have bleeding between periods.

• Your partner has chlamydia, gonorrhea, 

or another STD.

• Your partner has symptoms that might be an STD 

(like burning or itching when passing urine or 

an unusual discharge).

HOW IS PID TREATED? 

• If PID is caught early, it can be treated effectively 

with antibiotics.

• Finish all of the medicine to be sure you are cured.

• Do not share your medicine with anyone. You need all of it.

• If you still have symptoms after treatment, go back to 

see your doctor.
CAN I GET PID AGAIN AFTER I'VE 

BEEN TREATED? 

Yes, you can get PID again if you are infected with 

an STD again. If you've had PID before, you have a 

higher chance of getting it again.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T GET TREATED? 

• PID can cause scar tissue in the womb and other 

reproductive organs.

• The longer you delay treatment for PID, or the more 

times you get PID, the more likely it is that you won’t 

be able to get pregnant.

• After having PID, women who do get pregnant are more 

likely to have an ectopic pregnancy, where the egg grows 

outside the womb. This can cause severe pain, bleeding 

inside your body, and even death.

• PID can also cause chronic pain in the pelvic area.

IF I HAVE PID, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN 

FOR MY PARTNER?

• Your partner may have an STD.

• Be sure to tell your recent sex partners, so they 

can get tested and treated for STDs.

• Avoid having sex until you’ve both finished your 

treatment, so you don’t re-infect each other.