Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

What is PID?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection that affects the female reproductive organs. It can cause problems in your womb, fallopian tubes (the tubes that carry eggs), and ovaries. Anyone who has a womb can get PID.

The good news is that if PID is found early, it can be treated easily with antibiotics.

What are the symptoms?

Some people with PID don't have any symptoms at all. But if you do notice symptoms, you might have:

• Pain in your lower tummy or between your tummy and thighs
• Pain during sex that feels deep inside
• Periods that are heavier or more painful than usual
• Bleeding between periods or after sex
• Unusual vaginal discharge that looks, smells or feels different

These symptoms might come on quickly over a few days, or they might develop slowly and get worse over time.

When should you see a GP?

Book an urgent GP appointment if you:

• Think you might have PID symptoms
• Have pain in your lower tummy or pelvis that comes and goes
• Have PID symptoms and you're pregnant or think you might be
• Have been diagnosed with PID but don't feel better after 3 days of antibiotics

You can call 111 or use the NHS 111 online service for urgent advice.

When to call 999

Call 999 or go straight to A&E if you have PID symptoms and:

• Severe pain in your lower tummy or pelvis that's getting worse
• The pain hurts when you move or touch the area
• Pelvic pain with heavy vaginal bleeding
• Sharp, sudden and intense pain in your lower tummy
• Pain under your ribs on the right side and in your right shoulder
• Feel dizzy or faint
• Have a very high temperature or feel hot, cold or shivery
• Feel or are being sick, or feel very unwell

Important: Don't drive yourself to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 for an ambulance.

What causes PID?

PID is usually caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia and gonorrhoea. But it can also be caused by normal bacteria that live in the vagina.

You're more likely to get PID if you've had it before, given birth, had a miscarriage, or had certain medical procedures.

How is it diagnosed?

Your GP will ask about your symptoms, recent sexual partners, and what contraception you use. They might need to do:

• A blood test
• A pregnancy test
• An ultrasound scan
• Take samples from your vagina (like during cervical screening)

You can ask for a female doctor and someone else to be in the room during any examination.

How is PID treated?

PID is usually easy to treat with antibiotics. Your doctor might give you an injection of antibiotics and tablets to take for 2 weeks.

You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain relief. Don't have sex until you and your partners have finished treatment and no longer have symptoms.

Why early treatment matters

If PID isn't treated early, it can cause serious problems like long-term pain, fertility problems, or a higher risk of pregnancy complications.

If you're worried about any symptoms, speak to your GP. Early treatment can prevent these complications and help you feel better quickly.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.