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Pelvic inflammatory disease always requires medical attention
The symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease usually include abdominal pain, foul-smelling discharge and fever. Pelvic inflammatory disease should be treated as early as possible to prevent the infection from spreading.
Specialist in the article
9.9
LT, Naistentautien ja synnytysten erikoislääkäri
Revised 11/13/2024
Pelvic inflammatory disease in brief
- Pelvic inflammatory disease is caused by the spread of harmful bacteria into the uterine lining.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease is diagnosed at a gynaecologist’s appointment based on symptoms and a gynaecological examination.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease does not heal on its own and always requires antibiotics prescribed by a physician.
Symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease
- Lower abdominal pain and uterine tenderness are the most common initial symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Bloody and foul-smelling vaginal discharge is often associated with pelvic inflammatory disease.
- A fever may also be present as the infection progresses. Pelvic inflammatory disease may not necessarily involve fever.
What is pelvic inflammatory disease?
Pelvic inflammatory disease is a bacterial infection of the uterine lining. It is not really possible to influence the development of pelvic inflammatory disease.
Pelvic inflammatory disease has many possible causes:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease is caused by vaginal bacteria ascending to the uterus through the cervix.
- Childbirth is the most significant risk factor of pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia, can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.
When should I see a physician for pelvic inflammatory disease?
Pelvic inflammatory disease always requires medical attention. If pelvic inflammatory disease is left untreated, it can spread to the pelvic area and cause a serious infection.
If you have symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease, you can quickly get an appointment with one of our experienced gynaecologists. You can view the expertise of our gynaecologists in the specialist descriptions section and book an appointment in our online appointment booking system.
How is pelvic inflammatory disease diagnosed?
Pelvic inflammatory disease is diagnosed at a gynaecologist’s appointment based on symptoms and a gynaecological examination. If you are nervous about the gynaecological examination, mention it to your gynaecologist. We will do our best to make the examination as pleasant as possible.
Tell your gynaecologist about your symptoms, their onset and duration. If necessary, your gynaecologist will ask further questions.
The gynaecologist performs an internal examination and palpates the abdomen.
If necessary, an ultrasound examination is performed to rule out other causes.
A urine sample is usually collected to rule out sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infection. Sometimes tests are also ordered to check for elevated inflammatory markers.
Once the physician has confirmed the diagnosis, they will prescribe the appropriate treatment. Normally, no follow-up is required, but a follow-up appointment may be necessary in cases of severe pelvic inflammatory disease. In cases of chlamydia, a new urine sample will also be collected once the symptoms have cleared up.
Treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease is treated with antibiotics. Usually an oral course of antibiotics is sufficient. IUD removal may be necessary. If this is the case, you can discuss other contraception options with your gynaecologist.
Severe pelvic inflammatory disease may require hospitalisation and intravenous antibiotic treatment. If the disease is severe and accompanied by abscesses in the fallopian tubes or abdominal cavity, surgery may also be necessary. Pain caused by pelvic inflammatory disease can be alleviated with painkillers.
Recovery from pelvic inflammatory disease
It is usually possible to recover from pelvic inflammatory disease at home. The symptoms typically improve within a few days of starting antibiotics. The symptoms usually disappear within two weeks.
If the disease has spread to the fallopian tubes or caused a more serious pelvic infection, antibiotics may be required for several weeks. If the infection is severe, several days of hospital treatment may be necessary.
Prices for appointments with specialists, such as gynaecologists, dermatologists, cardiologists, orthopaedists and ophthalmologists, can be found in our appointment booking service.
Take into account in the price list
The price estimate includes the Kanta fee and the outpatient fee.| Service | Price estimate |
|---|---|
| Appointment with a specialist, 10 min Price per appointment. | from 27,20 € Without Kela reimbursement from 57,20 € |
| Appointment with a specialist, 20 min Price per appointment. | from 46,20 € Without Kela reimbursement from 76,20 € |
| Appointment with a specialist, 30 min Price per appointment. | from 55,20 € Without Kela reimbursement from 85,20 € |
| Appointment with a specialist, 45 min Price per appointment. | from 66,20 € Without Kela reimbursement from 96,20 € |
| Appointment with a psychiatrist, 30 min Price per appointment. | from 69,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 104,00 € |
| Appointment with a psychiatrist, 45 min Price per appointment. | from 95,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 132,00 € |
| Appointment with a psychiatrist, 60 min Price per appointment. | from 108,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 148,00 € |
Gynaecology-related problems
Endometriosis
A gynaecological disease in which tissue that resembles the endometrial mucosa exists outside the uterus.
Lower abdominal pain in women
The most common causes for lower abdominal pain are either intestinal or gynaecological.
Ovarian cyst
An ovarian fluid-filled sac is often harmless and asymptomatic, but may sometimes require surgery.
Urinary tract infection
A need to urinate frequently and a burning sensation or pain when urinating.
human papilloma virus (HPV)
a good tendency to heal, but it should be monitored so that the infection does not persist and progress to cancer.
Frequently asked questions about pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease is caused by the spread of bacteria into the uterine lining. The body’s own bacteria can cause the infection. Sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia, can also cause pelvic inflammatory disease. Pelvic inflammatory disease is most common after childbirth.
Symptoms of postpartum pelvic inflammatory disease include lower abdominal pain, foul-smelling discharge and fever. The symptoms can worsen quickly. Always seek medical attention if you have symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease.
Postpartum pelvic inflammatory disease is treated with antibiotics. Pelvic inflammatory disease often occurs in the days following childbirth. This may be caused by, for example, a piece of placenta remaining in the uterus. It may sometimes be necessary to surgically remove the piece of placenta by uterine scraping or endoscopy.
Pelvic inflammatory disease can quickly develop into an infection accompanied by fever, especially after childbirth. Primary diseases and medications, such as cortisone medication, may also weaken the immune system and speed up the spread of the infection. As the infection progresses, it can spread to the fallopian tubes and pelvis and cause a serious infection. Pelvic inflammatory disease caused by a sexually transmitted disease may progress slowly and cause noticeable symptoms only months after the infection.
Yes, pelvic inflammatory disease can also occur without fever. In this case, the pelvic inflammatory disease may be caused by a sexually transmitted disease, such as chlamydia. Even without fever, pelvic inflammatory disease requires antibiotic treatment.
Pelvic inflammatory disease does not heal without treatment. Pelvic inflammatory disease always requires antibiotics prescribed by a physician. Severe cases of pelvic inflammatory disease are treated in a hospital.
Untreated pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to severe infection of the fallopian tubes, pelvis and abdominal cavity. Severe pelvic inflammatory disease can be a life-threatening condition. Poorly treated or prolonged pelvic inflammatory disease may cause adhesions to the uterus and/or fallopian tubes, chronic pain and infertility.
