Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Health Video

Video Transcript

DR. MIEKE D. LANE: Hi, I'm Doctor Mieke Lane, I work at Cascadia Women's Clinic in Vancouver, Washington. Today, I will just speak to you in regards to pelvic inflammatory disease. This is a disease of the upper genital track, it's one of the most serious complications of sexually transmitted diseases but can also be caused by non-sexually transmitted disease. The acute PID is one of the most common reasons for hospitalization for women of reproductive age, 75% of those young women are under the age of 25. PID can potentially cause infertility, chronic pelvic pain and an increase rate of ectopic pregnancies. Ninety percent of women will have abdominal pain, 75% of those with PID will present with an abnormal vaginal discharge. Other signs and symptoms can include fever, nausea vomiting, irregular bleeding and or painful urination. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners, not wearing a condom, history of previous sexually transmitted diseases. Diagnosis can be made by clinical exam by a health care provider which may include cultures, blood work, and laparoscopy. Laparoscopy are used to directly visualize the organs of the genital track. They will also find adhesion and or scar tissue, if found early enough, PID can be treated with antibiotics on an out patient basis. If PID is severe, it has to be treated in the hospital with IV antibiotics. Condom use is the best method for prevention. Please contact your health care provider for more information.