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What is it?

PID is infection and swelling inside a women’s reproductive organs, sometimes caused by an STD.

Untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea causes PID, so if you think you may have an STD, or be at risk, see your health care provider right away.

Women who have had chlamydia more than once are more likely to get PID. Many times women are reinfected with chlamydia because their partner doesn’t get treated.

Younger women are more at risk for PID.

You are at risk for PID if you’ve had a lot of sex partners or your partner has many other sex partners.

If you already have an STD, douching increases your risk of getting PID.

What are the symptoms?

• Irregular periods
• Vaginal discharge that may smell bad
• Lower stomach pain
• Pain during sex
• Pain when urinating

What are the effects?

• The possibility of life-long pain
• Infertility – but this is just a possibility, so please continue to use birth control if you’ve been treated for PID
• Extremely painful and life-threatening ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus)

Is there a cure?

PID can be treated and cured with a specific type of penicillin. However, this will not reverse any permanent damage to the reproductive organs. That’s why it’s important to see your medical provider as soon as you experience symptoms.