Download Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - Epsom and St Helier University

Where can I go for help?
SW London HIV & GUM
Clinical Services Network
If you have any concerns contact a
Health Adviser, Doctor or a Nurse or
visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
GUM Clinics in South West London

Courtyard Clinic
St George’s Hospital
Tooting SW17 0QT
020 8725 3353 / 3354
www.courtyardclinic.nhs.uk

Wolverton Centre
Kingston Hospital
Kingston KT2 7QB
020 8974 9331
Pelvic
Inflammatory
Disease (PID)
www.kingstonhospital.nhs.uk

Department of GU Medicine
Mayday Hospital
Croydon CR7 7YE
020 8401 3002
www.maydayhospital.org.uk

Patient information leaflet
Roehampton Clinic
Queen Mary’s Hospital
Roehampton SW15 5PN
020 8487 6861 / 6862
www.roehamptonclinic.nhs.uk

Medical GU
St Helier Hospital
Carshalton SM5 1AA
020 8296 2543 / 2505
www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk
© South West London HIV & GUM Clinical Services Network 2008
Designed by Dr G Atallah & the Sexual Health Promotion Subgroup
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
PID is an inflammatory condition
which affects the uterus (womb),
fallopian tubes and occasionally the
ovaries. (See diagram below)
sexually transmitted bacteria), it is
important to test for these, and swabs
will be taken at the time of the
examination.
PID must be taken seriously
The vast majority of women with PID
recover completely after treatment.
But if left untreated PID can lead to
serious complications including:
-Recurrent pain.
The female reproductive system
Causes of PID
Many types of bacteria, some of which
are sexually acquired, e.g. Chlamydia
and Gonorrhoea can cause PID.
PID can occasionally occur after
childbirth, a miscarriage, a termination
of pregnancy or after an intrauterine
contraceptive device (IUD) has been
inserted.
It can take weeks or even months
before symptoms develop.
Diagnosis of PID
There is no specific test for PID.
The diagnosis is made by an internal
examination by the doctor or nurse.
As it is sometimes caused by
Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea, (both
-Ectopic pregnancy.
(An Ectopic pregnancy is one in which
the fertilised egg begins to develop in
the fallopian tube or elsewhere in the
pelvis, instead of in the uterus) and
-Infertility due to scarring of the
fallopian tubes (the tube that the egg
travels along to get to the uterus.)
Symptoms
Symptoms of PID can include:

Lower abdominal pain

Lower back ache

Painful sex

Unusual vaginal discharge

Unusual vaginal bleeding
e.g. between periods
Treatment
PID is treated with a two-week course
of antibiotics. It is important to
complete the whole course.
Your partner should also receive
antibiotics to prevent any infection
being passed from one to another.
You should have no sexual contact
even with a condom until you have
both completed your treatment.
If your symptoms do not improve, then
return to the GUM Clinic or your
nearest A & E Department.
Follow-up
The doctor will ask to see you once
your treatment is finished to check that
it has been successful. They will reexamine you at this visit.
If
symptoms
persist,
despite
treatment, you may be referred to a
gynaecologist for further investigation.
This is to exclude other conditions that
mimic PID.
Practice safer sex
Use a condom
Every time you have sex.
December 2008