Many a times a woman is diagnosed with problems such as PCOS, PCOD, blocked fallopian tubes etc for infertility, another new name intruding into the field of STD infertility is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). It is the next complicated stage of sexually transmitted disease (STD). PID refers to infection of the womb, fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the womb) and other reproductive organs, leading to infertility quandaries.
Pelvic inflammatory disease develops when microorganisms, like bacteria infect female reproductive organs. Normally the Cervix (the lower part of the Uterus extending into the vagina) acts as a barrier to prevent the entry of disease-causing microorganisms into the inner reproductive organs. During certain disease conditions, the Cervix gets tainted facilitating the entry of microorganisms to the other parts, which might lead to PID.
What are its causes:
Although there are diverse grounds for being troubled by the disease, you can get PID through several ways like:
- having sex with a person infected with Chlamydia (A sexually transmitted disease caused by an organism called Chlamydia trachomitis)
- If women choose to have multiple sex partners and the ones who are in the right age cohort of conceiving are also at most risk.
- Females under the age 25 are also more likely to develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) than those older than 25, the fundamentals behind is that the cervix of girls below 25 is not fully prepared to fight with Sexually Transmitted Disease which later results into PID.
- PID mostly affects sexually active women between the ages of 15 and 24. It is common in females and is gradually growing in India especially in metropolitan cities because of so much exposure to sex.
- Vaginal irritation
- Vaginal discharge
- Lower abdominal pain
- Intermenstrual bleeding
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse
- And some patients are asymptomatic.
1. First of all one should get an early treatment if they find they are infected with STD
2. Use of condoms is mandatory - Practicing safe sex, using superior quality latex condoms which can reduce the risk of STD
3. Regular testing for:
- Sexually active women age 25 or younger
- Older women who have a new sex partner or multiple sex partners
- All pregnant women
In such a scenario one should abstain from having sex and consult a gynecologist.
Related Links: Times of India , Deccan Herald
