6.2 Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Question 1

How is PID caused?

Answer 1

Infections of the reproductive system track back into the endometrium, fallopian tubes, ovaries and peritoneum

Question 2

What is endometritis?

Answer 2

Inflammation of the endometrium

Question 3

What is salpingitis?

Answer 3

Inflammation of the fallopian tubes

Question 4

What is a tubo-ovarian abscess?

Answer 4

Blockage of the passage to the ovary causing swelling in the proximal fallopian tube. Pus fills the lumen and then enters the ovary

Question 5

What are some long-term complications of PID?

Answer 5

Ectopic pregnancy
Infertility
Chronic pelvic pain
Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome (peri-hepitits)

Question 6

Give some potential organisms that cause PID

Answer 6

Chlamydia trachomatis
Neisseria gonorrhoea
Gardnerella vaginalis
Anaerobes- from IUD

Question 7

What are some risk factors for PID?

Answer 7

20-30 years old
Multiple sexual partners
Low socio-economic class
Lack of barrier contraceptive 
IUCD

Question 8

How will PID present?

Answer 8

Pyrexia
Lower abdominal pain
Abnormal cervical discharge
Vaginal bleeding

Question 9

What investigations are done for someone with suspected PID?

Answer 9

Pregnancy test
Endocervical and high vaginal swabs
Blood test- WBC and CRP
Screen for STIs (including HIV)

Question 10

What treatment is given for PID?

Answer 10

Ceftriaxone
Doxycline
Metronidazole