Chronic PID Treatment: Know the Guidelines

Persistent nagging pain in your lower abdomen can be the initial symptom of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in many women. It is an infection of the female reproductive parts and quite intimidating, but the positive thing is that it is treatable. It may be overwhelming, and you might have multiple questions. In this blog, we'll walk you through every step of the PID treatment journey, from understanding your diagnosis and treatment options to navigating life after recovery. 

So what is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. It normally happens when your upper reproductive tract gets infected by the sexually transmitted bacteria that are likely to transfer into your vagina. When not treated, PID may cause chronic complications, among them infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain.

Causes of PID

The most typical culprits in developing PID are sexually transmitted infections (STIs), mainly gonorrhea and chlamydia. Yet, the PID may also be caused by other non-sexually transmitted bacteria, which in rare cases may occur after childbirth or an IUD insertion, or other gynaecological procedures.

Signs to be Aware of

PID may sometimes be a problem as its signs may appear very mild or not at all. It might involve symptoms such as:

• Lower abdominal Pain and pelvic pain
• Abnormal and foul-smelling vaginal discharge 
• Irregular uterine bleeding, particularly between intercourse or between cycles
• Sex-related pain or bleeding during sex (dyspareunia)
• Fever or chills
• Pain while urinating

Diagnosis

Rapid diagnosis and treatment of PID reduces the chances of the occurrence of severe complications. Postponing treatment would cause scars in the fallopian tubes, and this can be lifelong.

The Diagnosis of PID Made by Doctors

PID does not have one simple test. Naturally, your doctor will probably utilise a combination of approaches to arrive at a diagnosis:

• Medical History: Talking about your symptoms and sexual behaviour.
• Pelvic Exam: Palpation of your pelvic organs, checking for tenderness, and examining for abnormal discharge.
• Lab Tests: Swabs of your vagina and cervix will be taken to test whether you are infected with bacteria such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
• Ultrasound: It helps to have a clearer view of your reproductive organs and see whether there are abscesses (pouches of infected fluid).

After a diagnosis is identified, the next concern is treatment. You might be wondering, what is the best treatment for PID? 

PID Treatment Options

The primary goal of PID treatment is to eliminate the infection, relieve symptoms, and prevent long-term complications. Treatment may begin as soon as PID is suspected, usually even when test results have not been received fully.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are the keystone of PID treatment. Since it could be quite challenging to determine the specific bacteria causing infection, your physician is likely to prescribe you a combination of at least two broad-spectrum antibiotics. It is crucially important to finish a course of medication, despite feeling better after several days. Early discontinuation will cause the infection to recur. According to established PID treatment guidelines, several antibiotic combinations are effective.

 Examples of common regimens can be seen below:

Note: This table is not to be considered definitive. The right medication is given by your doctor after diagnosis.

Treating Your Partner?

This is an aspect of treatment which cannot be compromised. Their sexual partners in the past 60 days are supposed to be checked and treated regardless of having or not having symptoms. This not only makes you unaffected but can also prevent the infection from spreading to others.

Navigating Chronic PID Treatment

Chronic PID is not an active infection, but the consequences may be persistent, most often in the form of constant pelvic pain lasting months or even years. This pain can be caused by scarring that has grown in the process of the initial infection. The chronic PID treatment approach is focused on managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

The approach to consider in managing chronic pain is sometimes complicated; it needs to employ a multi-pronged strategy. Options for chronic PID treatment include:

• Pain Relievers: Pain medications as prescribed by the doctor.
• Physical Therapy: Pelvic floor physical therapy would assist in relaxing and strengthening muscles to alleviate pain.
• Nerve blocks: Block pain by injecting.

Surgery to Avoid Complications

Surgery may be required in certain circumstances when there is scarring causing severe pain, or a pocket of protein-concentrating pus, titled an abscess (tubo-ovarian abscess) is not alleviated with antibiotics. This may include emptying the abscess or carrying out a laparoscopy to get out scar tissue.

Preventing Recurrence

After one has already had PID, it is at increased risk of contracting the same in future. It is recommended to have:

• Safe Sex: Condoms prevent the risks of STIs.
• Have Regular Testing: Particularly, in an active sex life, make routine testing a part of your plan.
• Treat Partners: Make sure partners are treated before continuing sexual activity.
   

Conclusion

Coming to terms with an unwanted illness such as the PID is not only a stressful situation physically and emotionally, but also financially. They may have to endure medical exams, doctor visits and medication, which may be very expensive. But having a health insurance partner like Niva Bupa, you will be able to concentrate on the healing process without the doubt that you might incur additional expenses. We at Niva Bupa, with our medical insurance plans guarantee that in times of medical emergency, you will receive the most appropriate care, which will not negatively affect your economic well-being. With a wide network of over 10,400+ hospitals, you can get quality health care. Our CSR of 91.6% ensures that we stand by your side when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can PID be cured permanently?

   Yes, PID due to bacterial infection can be treated with the help of the full course of antibiotics. But the scarring or destruction of the reproductive organs happened before the treatment and is irreversible.

    

2. Can I get pregnant after getting PID?

   It's possible in some cases, as some women have had a successful pregnancy after being treated for PID. However, PID may cause scarring of the fallopian tube, which increases the risk of infertility or ectopic pregnancy. 

    

3. Is it necessary to tell my partner if I have PID?

   Absolutely. The treatment of your sexual partner(s) is necessary to ensure that they do not reinfect you or transmit it to other people. They might not experience any symptoms, but they could still carry the bacteria.

    

4. How long does PID last after treatment?

   Depending on the antibiotic regimen, infection can be cured in 3 days, but in most cases, it takes over 14 days. There is also a possibility of long-term survival of any internal scars and chronic pains caused by the infection.

    

5. What if PID is left untreated?

   Without treatment, PID may cause severe complications, including scarring, abscesses, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.

    

6. Is it possible to develop PID without an STI?

   Although STIs are the most likely cause, PID may also be brought about by other non-sexually transmitted infecting bacteria. This may occur after a gynaecological procedure, douching, or childbirth, which may disrupt the natural balance of organisms in the vagina.