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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Women

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a serious infection of the female reproductive organs that is the most common preventable cause of infertility in the United States.

Overview

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the uterus, ovaries, and other female reproductive organs. This condition causes scarring in these organs, which can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic pain, abscesses (a collection of pus), and other serious problems.

Causes & Risk Factors

Many types of bacteria can cause PID, but it is often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Gonorrhea and chlamydia are the most common causes of PID.

You are at greater risk for PID if you:

  • Are sexually active and younger than age 25.
  • Have more than one sex partner.
  • Douche. Douching can push bacteria into your reproductive organs and may hide the signs of PID.
  • Have an STI and do not get treated.
  • Have had PID or an STI before.

It is not as common, but sometimes using an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control can increase your risk for PID. However, your risk is usually only during the first three weeks after the IUD is placed inside your uterus.

Symptoms

If you have PID, you may have mild or no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, the most common symptom is pain in the lower abdomen (belly). Other symptoms can include:

  • Fever
  • Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
  • Bleeding between periods
  • Pain or bleeding during sex
  • Painful urination (peeing)

See your health care provider if you have any symptoms of PID or if you think you or your partner were exposed to an STI. Early treatment is important. Waiting too long for treatment increases the risk of infertility.

Diagnosis

There is no one test for PID. To check for PID, your provider may:

  • Ask about your medical and sexual history
  • Review your symptoms
  • Do a pelvic exam
  • Order blood, urine, and imaging tests

Treatment & Management

Antibiotics are used to treat PID. You must take all the medicine, even if your symptoms go away, to make sure the infection is cured. You will likely need to follow up with your provider to make sure the treatment is working.

Tell your recent sex partner(s) so they can get tested and treated. Don't have sex until you finish treatment, otherwise you can reinfect each other.

If you're pregnant, have an abscess, or your symptoms don't go away, you may need to have surgery or be hospitalized for treatment. Note that treatment cannot fix any permanent damage already done to your internal organs.

Complications of Untreated PID

If you don't get treated, complications can occur, such as:

  • Scar tissue may develop in your fallopian tubes.
  • Infertility.
  • An abscess may develop in your reproductive organs. If untreated, this could become a life-threatening infection.
  • Long-term pelvic or abdominal (belly) pain.

Prevention

The best way to protect yourself against STIs is not to have sex. If you do decide to have sex, a few ways you can lower your risk include:

  • Practice safe sex by using a condom every time you have sex, limit your number of sex partners, and ask your partners about their sexual history.
  • Get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea every year and ask your partner to get tested.
  • Don't douche since this can upset the balance of bacteria in your vagina.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. PID can present without fever, especially early in the infection. Any combination of lower abdominal or pelvic pain, abnormal or foul‑smelling discharge, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between periods warrants prompt evaluation. A clinician will perform a pelvic exam, test for STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea), and may order ultrasound or labs to confirm PID and start treatment quickly.
Most people notice improvement in pain and discharge within 48‑72 hours of beginning appropriate antibiotics, but you should complete the full prescribed course (usually 14 days). Abstain from vaginal intercourse until you have finished antibiotics and your provider confirms the infection has cleared—typically at least 7 days after starting treatment and after symptoms have resolved. Use condoms consistently to prevent reinfection.
The risk of PID from an IUD is highest in the first 3 weeks after insertion. If you develop PID after that period, the IUD is unlikely to be the cause, and it can often be left in place while you receive antibiotics. However, if symptoms are severe or do not improve within 48‑72 hours of treatment, your clinician may recommend removal to ensure the infection resolves. Discuss the risks and benefits with your provider.
Scarring of the fallopian tubes can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or chronic pelvic pain. After treatment, schedule a follow‑up pelvic exam and, if you have persistent pain or a history of severe PID, ask about a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) or sonohysterography to assess tubal patency. If you plan future pregnancy, discuss timing with your provider—generally wait at least 3 months after completing therapy. Early detection of tubal damage allows for counseling about assisted reproductive options if needed.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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