274 STIs and Other Infections of the Genitals
Complications
of STIs
353
other causes of pain in
the lower belly
➤ PID does not
always cause pain.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or PID is the name for an infection
of any of the reproductive parts in a woman’s lower abdomen. It
is often called a ‘pelvic infection’.
Pelvic infection can happen if you have had an STI that was not
cured, especially gonorrhea or chlamydia. It can also happen if you
recently gave birth, had a miscarriage or abortion,
or had an IUD inserted.
infection
The germs that cause pelvic
infection travel up from the
vagina through the cervix and
then into the womb, tubes,
and ovaries. If the infection
is not treated in time, it can
cause chronic pain, serious
womb
illness, or death. An infection
in the tubes can leave scars
that make you infertile or at risk for a pregnancy
outside the womb (tubal or ectopic pregnancy).
tube
bacteria
vagina
Signs (you may have one or more of these):
• pain in the lower belly
• high fever
• you feel very ill and weak
• green or yellow bad-smelling discharge from the vagina
• pain or bleeding during sex
➤ To prevent PID,
always treat STIs
correctly. Be sure to:
• take all the
medicine.
• make sure your
partner gets
treated.
• stop having sex
until you and
your partner have
finished all the
medicine and
your signs have
gone away.
Treat pelvic
infection
right away.
Treatment:
Start taking the medicines on the next page right away. If you
do not feel better after 2 days and 2 nights (48 hours), or if you
are very ill with a high fever or vomiting, or if you are pregnant,
recently had an abortion or gave birth, go to a health center
or hospital immediately. You may need strong medicines in the
vein (IV).
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012