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How is pelvic inflammatory disease diagnosed?

To diagnose pelvic inflammatory disease, your doctor may ask you about your symptoms and conduct a pelvic examination. This examination may involve taking swab samples from your vagina and cervix to identify which type of micro-organism is causing the infection. A urine test is commonly used to identify the presence of gonorrhea and chlamydia. A pelvic ultrasound can also be used to produce a clear image of your internal organs and can help to identify how far an infection has spread. A procedure known as laparoscopy can be used to diagnose pelvic inflammatory disease if there is still doubt after the previous investigations, or if you are not responding to treatment. This involves a surgeon making a small incision into the abdomen and inserting a small fiber-optic instrument with a camera attached to view the reproductive organs.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is pelvic inflammatory disease?

Pelvic inflammatory disease is the infection of a woman's reproductive organs such as the uterus, fallopian tubes and possibly the ovaries and surrounding pelvic tissue.

What are the symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease?

Some women with pelvic inflammatory disease may not experience any signs or symptoms, while others can experience mild or severe symptoms. These symptoms commonly include: pain during sexual intercourse; smelly discharge from the …

What causes pelvic inflammatory disease?

Pelvic inflammatory disease most commonly occurs from a sexually-transmitted infection that has spread from the cervix at the lower end of the uterus to infect the remainder of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Other circumstance in which an …

Who gets pelvic inflammatory disease?

Risk factors for developing pelvic inflammatory disease include: being sexually active and under 25 years old; having an untreated STI; previously having had an STI; having unprotected sex; having multiple sexual partners, and; having operations …

How is pelvic inflammatory disease treated?

Treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease is usually straightforward and involves a course of antibiotics targeted against the organism that has caused the infection. It is also important for your sexual partner to be tested and treated if …

Can pelvic inflammatory disease be cured?

Pelvic inflammatory disease can be cured with antibiotics. It is important to treat it immediately to reduce the risk of scar tissue forming on any reproductive organs.

Will pelvic inflammatory disease clear on its own?

Pelvic inflammatory disease will not clear on its own and if left untreated, complications can include: scarring of the reproductive system; abscesses, or the collection of infected fluid; fertility problems, and; ectopic pregnancies, …

Can pelvic inflammatory disease be prevented?

Pelvic inflammatory disease most commonly occurs from a sexually-transmitted infection (STI) spreading into the reproductive organs. It is important to recognize the symptoms of an STI, be tested and begin treatment as soon as possible to …

Is it safe to have sex with pelvic inflammatory disease?

It is not safe to have sex with pelvic inflammatory disease, since you may pass on an underlying infection. It is important to seek treatment with antibiotics and wait for the condition to clear before resuming sexual activity. Your …

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About this article

Author: Dr Nikki Wallis PhD, BSc
First answered: 22 Nov 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Votes: 392 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Vaginal discharge

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