Pelvic inflammatory disease: symptoms, causes and which doctor to see
Pelvic inflammatory disease is when an infection spreading up from the vagina affects the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries. It is mostly caused by sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Pelvic pain, discharge, pain during sex and fever are typical. If untreated, it can lead to blocked tubes, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
Which doctor should I see for pelvic inflammatory disease?
For pelvic inflammatory disease you can first see: Obstetrics & Gynecology. If you are not sure, a family doctor can refer you to the right specialist.
What are the symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease?
- Lower abdominal and pelvic pain
- Bad-smelling discharge
- Pain during sex
- Bleeding between periods
- Fever and weakness
- Burning on urination
What causes pelvic inflammatory disease?
The most common causes are listed below. Only a doctor’s examination can determine the exact cause.
- 1Chlamydia and gonorrhoea
- 2Other bacteria in the vagina
- 3The first weeks after a coil is fitted
- 4Infections after an abortion or birth
When is it an emergency? Call 112 now
- Is there high fever, severe abdominal pain or vomiting
- Is the pregnancy test positive with one-sided pelvic pain
- Is there confusion, fainting or difficulty waking up
- Is there facial drooping, slurred speech or sudden weakness in an arm or leg
- Are you struggling to breathe even at rest
What you can do at home
- See a gynaecologist the same day.
- Avoid sex until treatment is finished; your partner also needs treatment.
See a doctor if
- The same day for pelvic pain and discharge
- Pain and fever after having a coil fitted
How long does it last and how is it treated?
With antibiotic treatment there is usually relief within days; severe cases need hospital admission and drainage if there is an abscess.
Who gets pelvic inflammatory disease?
- Sexually active women under 25
- Women with more than one partner
- Women who have had PID before
How is it diagnosed?
It is diagnosed with gynaecological examination, infection tests, ultrasound and blood tests.
Can it be prevented?
- Using condoms and early treatment of sexually transmitted infections.
Find a gynecologist in your city
Gynecologists in Turkish cities who can help with pelvic inflammatory disease.
People also describe it as
- “My pelvis hurts and I have a bad-smelling discharge”
Frequently asked questions
Which doctor should I see for pelvic inflammatory disease?
For pelvic inflammatory disease you can first see: Obstetrics & Gynecology. If you are not sure, a family doctor (general practitioner) can assess you first and refer you to the right specialist.
What are the symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease?
Common symptoms: lower abdominal and pelvic pain; bad-smelling discharge; pain during sex; bleeding between periods; fever and weakness; burning on urination. Symptoms vary from person to person; a doctor’s examination is needed for a diagnosis.
What causes pelvic inflammatory disease?
The most common causes: chlamydia and gonorrhoea; other bacteria in the vagina; the first weeks after a coil is fitted; infections after an abortion or birth. Only a doctor’s examination can determine the exact cause.
How long does pelvic inflammatory disease last and how is it treated?
With antibiotic treatment there is usually relief within days; severe cases need hospital admission and drainage if there is an abscess.
Who gets pelvic inflammatory disease?
It is more common in: sexually active women under 25; women with more than one partner; women who have had PID before.
How is pelvic inflammatory disease diagnosed?
It is diagnosed with gynaecological examination, infection tests, ultrasound and blood tests.
Can pelvic inflammatory disease be prevented?
Using condoms and early treatment of sexually transmitted infections.
Can PID cause infertility?
By damaging the tubes, it can raise the risk of infertility and ectopic pregnancy; early treatment reduces this risk.
Is PID contagious?
The underlying sexually transmitted infection can pass to a partner.
Which doctor should I see for PID?
See a gynaecologist.
When is pelvic inflammatory disease an emergency?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, call 112 without delay: “Is there high fever, severe abdominal pain or vomiting?” “Is the pregnancy test positive with one-sided pelvic pain?” “Is there confusion, fainting or difficulty waking up?” “Is there facial drooping, slurred speech or sudden weakness in an arm or leg?” “Are you struggling to breathe even at rest?”
When should I see a doctor for pelvic inflammatory disease?
See a doctor: the same day for pelvic pain and discharge; pain and fever after having a coil fitted.
Similar complaints
Emergency numbers in Turkey
112: ambulance, emergency (free, 24/7, from any phone). 114: National Poison Information Centre. 182: appointment line for public hospitals (MHRS). Pharmacies on night duty (nöbetçi eczane) are posted on the door of every pharmacy.
Sources
This page is based on current information published by the official and independent bodies below and on our editorial principles. Last updated: . To report an error: contact us.
This page does not provide a medical diagnosis and does not replace an examination by a doctor. If you think it is an emergency, call 112 (Turkey’s free emergency number). For poisoning, call the National Poison Information Centre on 114.