Pelvic inflammatory disease or PID is the infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes and other reproductive organs of women. This is a common complication of sexually transmitted diseases like Chlamydia and gonorrhea. PID can damage the fallopian tubes and tissues in and near the uterus and ovaries. PID can cause further reproductive health problems such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, abscess formation, and chronic pelvic pain.

It has been reported that more and more women are suffering from PID every year. This simply means that Chlamydia and gonorrhea are still on the rise. So, when does a PID happens? PID occurs when the bacteria moves up from the vagina to the cervix and other reproductive organs. Once infected, it can deeply damage the woman’s reproductive organs. Sexually active women in their childbearing years are most at risk, and those under age 25 are more likely to develop PID than those older than 25. This is because young women’s bodies are not yet fully developed, so its ability to fight any bacteria is not yet that strong. Women who douche may have a higher risk of developing PID compared with women who do not douche. Research has shown that douching changes the vaginal organisms in harmful ways, and can force bacteria into the upper reproductive organs from the vagina.

Women who are suffering from PID may show symptoms like lower abdominal pain, fever, unusual vaginal discharge that may have a foul odor, painful intercourse, painful urination, irregular menstrual bleeding, and pain in the right upper abdomen.

PID may be detected through an STD testing. If Chlamydia is detected and symptoms of like that of PID are present, then the patient is suffering from pelvic inflammatory disease. Aside from an STD testing, ultrasound can also detect PID. The health care provider may determine which test should be given to a patient.

PID may be treated. PID can be cured with several types of antibiotics. Depending on the test results, the doctor may determine what type of treatment should be given to the patient. If the case is advanced, then treatment may have to be longer. The antibiotics given are just for the PID infection and not for the complications that the disease has given. It may also be possible that re-infection may happen. In case like this, additional medications will be given. And regular reproductive health screening will be conducted. This also goes to the other patients who were diagnosed of STD. This is to reassure that the disease will be completely gone and health of the patient is well monitored.

There are several STD testing clinics now in different parts of U.S. This makes it more available to those who need to be tested. Some other organizations are even funding some local STD testing to be free. This is to help those people who need financial assistance with their testing and treatment.

Other organizations may also offer affordable STD testing if costless test is not possible. All of these tests will make it easy for everyone to take an STD test and help in stopping the spread of the disease. This will also put a stop to those diseases that continues to increase its number of cases.