When we say pelvic inflammatory disease or pelvic infection, infections originating from the ovaries, tubes, uterus and soft tissues around them are understood. Pelvic infections are usually polymicrobial (multiple microbes coexist) infections. Microbes normally found in the lower genital tract (vagina, cervix) may go upwards and cause infection. Rarely, the spread of infection through the blood to the reproductive system can be seen, a typical example of which is tuberculosis for our country.
What are the Risks of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?
Widespread adhesions in the abdomen after pelvic infection may leave. These adhesions can especially engulf the tubes and disrupt their movements and anatomy and cause problems in conceiving. This damage to the tubes also increases the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy in the future. In cases where the infection is not intervened, the inflammation can mix with the blood and cause life-threatening pictures.
Who is at Risk for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?
Since pelvic infections are often transmitted sexually, people with polygamous sex life It is more common in women or women whose spouses lead a polygamous sex life.
Spiral use is also a risk factor for pelvic infection. Microbes climbing up from the thread of the spiral inside the vagina and the sources of infection may settle up and cause infection here.
Low socioeconomic level and untreated lower genital tract infections are also considered as risk factors.
Pelvic What are Inflammatory Disease (PID) Complaints?
Common complaints are as follows:
- Abdominal/groin pain
- High fever
- Smelly vaginal discharge
- Nausea, vomiting, inability to pass gas in delayed cases
- Examination includes tenderness in the cervix and abdomen, and even a palpable mass may be seen in some patients due to inflammation.
How is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Diagnosed?
There may be an increase in inflammatory cells (leukocytes) and infection parameters (CRP, sedimentation) in laboratory tests. Since it may cause similar complaints, ectopic pregnancy should be investigated and pregnancy test (βhCG) should be performed.
Pelvic I How Is Inflammatory Disease (PID) Treated?
Pelvic infection is a condition that should be treated immediately when diagnosed.
The cornerstone of treatment is antibiotic therapy. There are many microorganisms that can cause PID and the treatment should be to target all the microbes that can cause it, because there is no time to understand which microorganism is the cause.
In mild cases, oral antibiotic treatment can be given and the patient can be sent home, but in severe cases, oral treatment can be given. Patients who do not improve, those with comorbidities, and pregnant women must be hospitalized and receive intravenous antibiotic treatment. The way to be protected is to be protected from sexually transmitted diseases. For this reason, avoidance of polygamy, sexual partners with multiple spouses and the use of condoms have a protective effect.
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