Pelvic inflammatory disease is treated with antibiotics. Generally oral antibiotics are given to the patient for a period of ten to fourteen days. Sometimes two different types of antibiotics are given at the same time, as this kind of infection is very difficult to get rid of. Some doctors give their patients an injection of antibiotics before putting them on oral antibiotics. In cases of severe infection patients must be hospitalized and treated intravenously. Follow up visits must then take place after the person has been released from the hospital. Unfortunately any damage to reproductive organs that occurred before treatment was undertaken cannot be reversed. That is why early detection is so important. Infertility can occur as a result of this pelvic infection as well as the high risk of an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs in the fallopian tubes. These kind of pregnancies can be life threatening.
While a woman is taking antibiotics for PID she must refrain from sexual intercourse and make sure her partner is checked for STD’s (and treated if necessary). She may need to take painkillers and not just antibiotics and should get as much bed rest as possible. Her body needs time to heal itself and build back up.
Prevention of PID
The best way to prevent pelvic inflammatory disease is to limit one’s number of sexual partners because as previously mentioned, sexually transmitted diseases (especially chlamydia and gonorrhea) are the most common causes of this pelvic infection. A long-term monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested for disease and is deemed uninfected is very important. Using condoms and practicing safe sex in every way possible also makes a big difference. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) strongly recommends that all sexually active young women aged 25 and under be screened yearly for sexually transmitted infections. As well any woman who has multiple sexual partners or has recently come in contact with a new partner should make it a must to be tested on a regular basis.