endometritis

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the uterus, ovaries, and other female reproductive organs. PID causes scarring in these organs. This can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic pain, abscesses (a collection of pus), and other serious problems. PID is the most common preventable cause of infertility in the United States.

Many types of bacteria can cause PID, but it's often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Gonorrhea and chlamydia are the most common causes of PID.

You are at greater risk for PID if you:

• Are sexually active and younger than age 25.
• Have more than one sex partner.
• Douche. Douching can push bacteria into your reproductive organs. It may also hide the signs of PID.
• Have an STI and do not get treated.
• Have had PID or an STI before.

It's not as common, but sometimes using an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control can increase your risk for PID. However, your risk is usually only during the first three weeks after the IUD is placed inside your uterus.

If you have PID, you may have mild or no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, the most common symptom is pain in the lower abdomen (belly). Other symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Bleeding between periods
• Pain or bleeding during sex
• Painful urination (peeing)

See your health care provider if you have any symptoms of PID or if you think you or your partner were exposed to an STI. Early treatment is important. Waiting too long for treatment increases the risk of infertility.

There is no one test for PID. To check for PID, your provider may:

• Ask about your medical and sexual history
• Review your symptoms
• Do a pelvic exam
• Order blood, urine, and imaging tests

Antibiotics are used to treat PID. You must take all the medicine, even if your symptoms go away to make sure the infection is cured. You will likely need to follow up with your provider to make sure the treatment is working.

Tell your recent sex partner(s) so they can get tested and treated. Don't have sex until you finish treatment, otherwise you can reinfect each other.

If you're pregnant, have an abscess, or your symptoms don't go away, you may need to have surgery or be hospitalized for treatment.

Treatment cannot fix any permanent damage already done to your internal organs.

If you don't get treated, complications can occur, such as:

• Scar tissue may develop in your fallopian tubes.
• Infertility.
• An abscess may develop in your reproductive organs. If untreated, this could become a life-threatening infection.
• Long-term pelvic or abdominal (belly) pain.

The best way to protect yourself against STIs is not to have sex.

If you do decide to have sex, a few ways you can lower your risk include to:

• Practice safe sex by using a condom every time you have sex, limit your number of sex partners, and ask your partners about their sexual history.
• Get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea every year and ask your partner to get tested.
• Don't douche since this can upset the balance of bacteria in your vagina.

The uterus, or womb, is the place where a fetus grows during pregnancy. Uterine diseases are conditions that affect the uterus. These diseases can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancerous). They may affect your menstrual periods, your ability to get pregnant, or the health of your reproductive organs.

Some types of uterine diseases include:

• Adenomyosis. Tissue that usually lines the uterus grows on the outside walls.
• Cervicitis. Swelling or inflamed tissue of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus.
• Endometrial hyperplasia. An overgrowth of normal cells inside the uterus.
• Endometriosis. Tissue like the lining of the uterus grows in other places in your body.
• Uterine prolapse. The uterus drops in to the vagina due to weakened pelvic muscles. This can happen after a few vaginal births, menopause, or because of obesity.

Various factors can cause uterine diseases. These can include hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, fibroids, polyps, cancer, infection, or pregnancy.

Your symptoms will depend on the type of uterine condition you have. The first sign of a problem with the uterus may be abnormal bleeding. Bleeding could occur between periods, be very heavy, or last much longer than usual. Other symptoms may include bleeding after sex or pelvic pain.

To find out the cause of your symptoms, your health care provider may:

• Ask about your symptoms and medical history
• Do a pelvic exam
• Order blood tests or imaging tests
• Do a biopsy

Treatment depends on the cause. It may include pain medicine, hormone therapy, or surgery. Your provider will work with you to choose the best treatment.