gynecology and obstetrics
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Introduction
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a polymicrobial infection of the upper female genital tract: the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries; abscess may occur. PID may be caused by sexually transmitted infections. Common symptoms and signs include lower abdominal pain, irregular vaginal bleeding, cervical discharge, and cervical motion tenderness. Long-term complications may include infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and ectopic pregnancy. Diagnosis includes polymerase chain reaction testing of cervical specimens forNeisseria gonorrhoeaeand chlamydiae, microscopic examination of cervical discharge (usually), and ultrasonography or laparoscopy (occasionally). Treatment is with antibiotics. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may involve the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries. Infection of the cervix ( Cervicitis ) causes mucopurulent discharge. Infection of the fallopian tubes (salpingitis) and uterus (endometritis) tend to occur together. If severe, infection can spread to the ovaries (oophoritis) and then the peritoneum (peritonitis). Salpingitis with endometritis and oophoritis, with or without peritonitis, is often called salpingitis even though other structures are involved. Pus may collect in the tubes (pyosalpinx), and an abscess may form (tubo-ovarian abscess). 