An infection of the internal female reproductive organs. Pelvic inflammatory disease (or PID) may not have any obvious cause, but may occur as a result of a sexually transmitted infection, such as gonorrhoea, or after a miscarriage, an abortion, or childbirth. An IUD increases the risk of infection. PID may cause infertility or increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Common symptoms include abdominal pain and tenderness, fever, and irregular menstrual periods. Pain often occurs after menstruation and may be worse during intercourse. There may also be malaise, vomiting, or backache. A diagnosis is usually made by an internal pelvic examination, examination of swabs to look for infection, and a laparoscopy. Antibiotic drugs and sometimes analgesic drugs are prescribed. An IUD may need to be removed.
Pelvic inflammatory disease |
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