ABOUT STIs

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Useful Information

PID is the name given to inflammation of female reproductive organs: the womb (or uterus) fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding tissues.

Useful Links

Find out about our clinics

Order a FREE STI home testing kit

Umbrella Health

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

What is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?

PID is the name given to inflammation of the female reproductive organs: the womb (or uterus) fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding tissues.

It is usually caused by a bacterial infection that spreads from the cervix (neck of the womb) up into the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries. In some cases it is caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. Symptoms of PID can vary from very mild to severe – sometimes requiring treatment in hospital.

How could I get PID?

Several different types of bacteria can cause PID, including the same bacteria that cause gonorrhea and chlamydia. What commonly occurs is that bacteria first enter the vagina and cause an infection. As time passes, this infection can move into the reproductive organs in the pelvic area.

How can I avoid getting PID?

You can reduce your risk of PID by using condoms with sexual partners.

What are the symptoms?

Signs of PID include:

Bleeding between periods or after sex.
Lower abdominal pain – particularly during and sometimes after sex.
Unusual vaginal discharge.
A few people affected can become very ill with severe lower abdominal pain, a high temperature and nausea and vomiting. In this situation you need to seek urgent medical attention – either attend a sexual health clinic or A&E

Untreated PID can cause serious problems:

Persistent or recurrent bouts of pelvic pain.
Infertility.
An ectopic pregnancy (this is a serious condition requiring urgent surgery).
Pelvic abscess.

How do I get tested for PID?

There is no simple test to diagnose PID, as it is diagnosed based on your symptoms and an examination.

If you think you have PID, we recommend that you have routine tests for other STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas, syphilis and HIV.

All of our services are free and confidential.

How is PID treated?

If diagnosed at an early stage, PID can be treated easily with a course of antibiotics, which usually lasts for 14 days.

It is important to get treated quickly to reduce the risk of complications. PID is treated with a mixture of antibiotics to cover the most likely infections and usually includes an injection as well as tablets. The treatment course is usually for 2 weeks. The treatment is free and issued to you directly in the clinic.

We are here to support you, not to judge you.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition in which the balance of bacteria inside the vagina becomes disrupted.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

Genital Warts / HPV

Genital Warts (sometimes called anogenital warts) are a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by human papillomaviruses or HPVs.

Gonorrhoea & Drug Resistant Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral infection which affects the liver. It can be passed on in various ways including sexually from some sex acts.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver and is caused by the hepatitis B virus which can be passed on sexually.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection affecting the liver. It has usually been associated with injecting drug use but we now know that it can be passed on sexually, particularly with certain sex practices.

Herpes

Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can cause painful blisters on the genitals and the surrounding areas.

LGV (Lymphogranuloma Venereum)

Lymphogranuloma venereum, or LGV, is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium (a type of germ) from the chlamydia family.

Non Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)

NGU is inflammation of the male urethra (water pipe) which can occur due to various causes hence the condition sometimes being called Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU).

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

PID is the name given to inflammation of female reproductive organs: the womb (or uterus) fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding tissues.

Pubic Lice (Crabs)

Pubic lice are tiny parasitic insects that live on coarse human body hair, such as pubic hair.

Scabies

Scabies is a common and very itchy skin condition caused by a tiny mite called Sarcoptes Scabiei.

Shigella

Shigella is an infectious bacterial infection. It is often a cause of food poisoning but can easily be passed on during sex.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria.

Trichomonas Vaginalis (TV)

TV is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a protozoon called Trichomonas vaginalis, or ‘TV’. Protozoa are tiny germs similar to bacteria.

ABOUT STIs

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Jump to

Useful Information

Useful Links

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

What is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?

How could I get PID?

How can I avoid getting PID?

What are the symptoms?

How do I get tested for PID?

How is PID treated?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition in which the balance of bacteria inside the vagina becomes disrupted.

Chlamydia is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

Genital Warts (sometimes called anogenital warts) are a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by human papillomaviruses or HPVs.

Gonorrhoea is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection which affects the liver. It can be passed on in various ways including sexually from some sex acts.

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver and is caused by the hepatitis B virus which can be passed on sexually.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection affecting the liver. It has usually been associated with injecting drug use but we now know that it can be passed on sexually, particularly with certain sex practices.

Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can cause painful blisters on the genitals and the surrounding areas.

Lymphogranuloma venereum, or LGV, is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium (a type of germ) from the chlamydia family.

NGU is inflammation of the male urethra (water pipe) which can occur due to various causes hence the condition sometimes being called Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU).

PID is the name given to inflammation of female reproductive organs: the womb (or uterus) fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding tissues.

Pubic lice are tiny parasitic insects that live on coarse human body hair, such as pubic hair.

Scabies is a common and very itchy skin condition caused by a tiny mite called Sarcoptes Scabiei.

Shigella is an infectious bacterial infection. It is often a cause of food poisoning but can easily be passed on during sex.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria.

TV is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a protozoon called Trichomonas vaginalis, or ‘TV’. Protozoa are tiny germs similar to bacteria.

Useful Information

If you have any enquiries, questions, or if we can help in any way, we’d love to hear from you

Sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest news and updates