Untreated, the disease can lead to serious problems including infertility, tubal pregnancy, pelvic scarring or even infection of the abdominal cavity. The condition occurs when a fertilized egg implants and begins to develop in a fallopian tube rather than the uterus scarring in the tube prevents the egg from moving into the uterus. The condition can be fatal if left untreated. PID quadruples the chances a woman will experience chronic pelvic pain. PID is commonly though not exclusively transmitted as a result of sexual contact with an infected partner.
Bacteria travel from the vagina through the cervix and then into the reproductive organs.
Although PID is easily treated with a number of antibiotics, many cases go undiagnosed. Undertreatment occurs because PID tends to affect sexually active young women who are less likely to receive regular gynecological care. PID also has a broad range of symptoms, and they may be attributed to another cause.