Every year in the United States, pelvic inflammatory disease affects more than one million women, and a tenth of these patients become infertile as a result. This medical condition is the most common preventable cause of infertility in that country. Pelvic inflammatory disease is more common in African-American and Hispanic women than in other racial/ethnic groups.
It is also more common in teenage girls than in adult women. Sexually active young adult women less than 25 years old, however, are at especial risk for the disease.
The most common microorganisms responsible for the condition are gonococcus and chlamydia, but Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma genitalium, Haemophilus influenzae, Gardnerella vaginalis, and other microbes can cause pelvic inflammatory disease. Women have to undergo regular health screening because many cases of this disease display few or no symptoms (Centers for Disease Control, 2010).
Women at Risk
Women who have multiple sexual partners or whose sexual partners have sex with other people will be at risk for the acquisition of this disease. And women who have had it in the past will have more risk of future occurrences of the condition than women who have never had it.
Though many girls and women douche, this practice in fact creates a predisposition for pelvic inflammatory disease because it pushes the microorganisms toward the upper portion of the female reproductive tract. Douching also alters the microorganisms which normally inhabit the vagina.
Women who have an intrauterine device will have a predisposition for pelvic inflammatory disease; however, this is mainly in women who acquired the device within the last three weeks. If she does develop pelvic inflammatory disease with an intrauterine device, there is usually no need for the physician to remove it.
Gynecologic surgical procedures may lead to this medical condition, but these occurrences are uncommon.
Complications of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and other parts of the female reproductive tract. This may cause irreversible damage which accounts for infertility, intra-abdominal abscesses, chronic pelvic pain, and ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy takes place when the fertilized ovum implants outside the uterus, such as in the fallopian tube.
As the ovum in ectopic pregnancy grows, it eventually may lead to rupture of the fallopian tube, severe pain, bleeding, and death of the patient. This all occurs because pelvic inflammatory disease produces scarring and blockage of the fallopian tubes, and the egg becomes trapped there. Consequently, it cannot continue its normal path and settle in the wall of the uterus in the event the woman becomes pregnant.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control. (2010). Pelvic inflammatory disease. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office on Women’s Health. (2011). Pelvic inflammatory disease fact sheet. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact their physician for advice.
Michael Koger - Dr. Koger obtained his medical education at Meharry Medical College and specialized in Internal Medicine.
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