Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Essay Example

compared to PID caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Women with PID also experience tenderness in the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Severe cases may involve pelvic abscesses (MSN Encarta, 2008). Complications can also arise.

Many women with PID can achieve full recovery through proper treatment and avoid long-term health issues. However, if PID is not promptly or adequately treated, it can result in severe complications. The following are a few examples of complications associated with PID:

According to Beus (2002), women with a history of PID who were re-infected or not fully treated are more likely to experience recurrent PID, which is when another infection occurs several years after the initial bout of the disease. This increases their risk of acquiring the disease again in the future.

PID can result in the development of abscesses, which are infected fluid pockets. These abscesses, particularly in the pelvic area, present a substantial danger as they may not react to antibiotics and can become life-threatening if they burst or rupture. When antibiotics fail to work, doctors rely on surgical intervention (Beus, 2002).

PID can cause scarring in the fallopian tubes, which can block the path of a fertilized egg to the uterus. This can result in an ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilized egg attaches itself to a fallopian tube and grows as if it were in the uterus.

Ectopic pregnancy, a potentially life-threatening outcome of PID, can cause miscarriage or internal bleeding when the fallopian tube bursts (Beus, 2002). The only way to treat ectopic pregnancy is through termination of the pregnancy.

Beus (2002) stated that pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is

a major cause of infertility in women. PID can result in scarring, which may block the fallopian tubes and hinder the release and fertilization of eggs. Women who have had recurring episodes of PID are particularly prone to infertility. Studies indicate that approximately 20% of women with PID will probably face infertility as a result.

Chronic pain may be caused by scarring related to PID, which strains the pelvis and other reproductive organs. It can also develop from pre-existing scar tissue or insufficient treatment of an infection. The typical treatment for PID includes a 10 to 14-day regimen of antibiotic therapy using oral antibiotics such as intramuscular ceftriaxone along with oral doxycycline and metronidazole.

Intravenous antibiotic therapy is recommended for patients with severe PID, while their sexual partners should also receive STD treatment. In extreme cases of PID, surgery is an alternative treatment option. Women with chronic PID or pelvic pain may be advised by surgeons to undergo surgical removal of damaged or infected organs as a form of treatment. The commonly utilized surgical procedures in the treatment of PID include:

The removal of the fallopian tubes is called salpingectomy.

b. The surgical procedure of hysterectomy involves removing both the uterus and usually the cervix.

Oophorectomy refers to the surgical removal of one or both ovaries (Beus, 2002).

In conclusion,

Prevention is crucial in PID, as well as in other diseases. It is essential for sexually-active women to engage in safe sex, as condoms greatly reduce the risk of acquiring the bacteria responsible for PID. Furthermore, women should have an annual visit to the gynecologist for their yearly

pap smear. This test aids in identifying cellular abnormalities in the cervix that may potentially result in cervical cancer and other reproductive system disorders. Despite being time-consuming, prioritizing good health brings immense benefits.