Pelvic inflammatory disease

Abstract

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is defined as infection-induced inflammation of the upper female genital tract. Infection is usually ascending from the lower genital tract and may involve any combination of endometritis, salpingitis, parametritis, tubo-ovarian abscess, and pelvic peritonitis. Young women under the age of 25 are more likely to develop PID, with most cases being caused by sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Mycoplasma genitalium. Diagnosis is primarily clinical and can be difficult, with symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to serious illness, and may be non-specific. Early diagnosis and treatment can potentially prevent both short-term complications, including tubo-ovarian or pelvic abscess, and long-term complications, such as chronic pelvic pain, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. This article aims to discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management using a clinical case scenario as an example within the primary care setting using the latest evidence available.