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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - Alcove Health Women's Clinic Newport News - Free STI Testing

WHAT IS Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?

What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), and why should I care? According to the Mayo Clinic, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), is an infection of one or more reproductive organs. This includes the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. PID is a common and serious complication that often occurs when an STD/STI goes untreated, especially gonorrhea and chlamydia. To help reduce your chances of getting PID it is important to get a free STI/STD test.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

The Problem:

It is not at all uncommon for women not to know they have gonorrhea or chlamydia, because often, there are no symptoms. Not knowing you have something causes problems – you don’t treat something you don’t know you have! This can also be the case with a Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and there is nothing that can test specifically for PID. The diagnosis comes from your medical history, a physical exam, and other test results!

How Do I Get A PID?

According to the CDC – You are more likely to get Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) if you:

  • Have an STI/STD and do not get treated;
  • Have more than one sex partner;
  • Have a sex partner who has sex partners other than you;
  • Have had PID before;
  • Are sexually active and are age 25 or younger;
  • Douche;
  • Use an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control.

How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Getting A PID?

The only way to avoid STI/STDs is not to have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting a Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).

  • Be in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and has negative STI/STD test results;
  • Use latex condoms the right way every time you have sex.

The Good News:

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) can be treated once diagnosed; the earlier the better.

The Bad News:

Treatment cannot repair any damage that has already been done and you are much more likely to get a PID again if you get another STI/STD.

Why Should I Care?

Some of the complications of a Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) are:

  • Formation of scar tissue both outside and inside the fallopian tubes that can lead to tubal blockage;
  • Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus); can be life-threatening;
  • Infertility (the inability to get pregnant); Over 100,000 women in the U.S. become infertile every year due to a PID;
  • Long-term pelvic/abdominal pain.

Again . . . Why Should I Care?

The risk of developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) increases after an abortion, even a medical abortion. During an abortion, newly introduced bacteria or already existing bacteria can be pushed further up into your reproductive tract. IF you have untreated gonorrhea or chlamydia, you are up to 23% more likely to develop PID after an abortion. PID can be life-threatening.

Do not risk your health.  At Alcove Health Women’s Clinic in Newport News, we care about you, your health, and your safety.  We provide free gonorrhea and chlamydia testing. No matter what your pregnancy decision will be, your health is important to us. Call us at 757-591-8141 or click HERE to make an appointment for free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STI testing.

By: Kinta, RN, BSN

May 24, 2021

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