Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs that causes inflammation in the adjacent organs and tissues of the pelvis. The cause is almost always a sexually transmitted bacteria infection from either Neisseria gonorrheae or Chlamydia trachomatis. Both of these infections are ordinarily the result of vaginal sexual intercourse with an infected male. In either case, he may have an active and symptomatic infection of his urinary tract with discharge from penile opening (urinary meatus) and burning on urination, or he may be asymptomatic, but despite the lack of symptoms, have either of these bacteria colonized in his urinary tract. Early on, pelvic inflammatory disease is acute and although the infection is in the deeper tissues, the so-called upper reproductive tract which includes the upper uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, the illness may be cured by proper antibiotic therapy. If the infection becomes chronic, cure may also obtainable with antibiotic treatment, but scarring from the infection commonly causes tubal obstruction and is a major female factor in infertility.

Initial stage of PID: acute salpingitis-peritonitis

Acute salpingitis is a severe inflammation of the fallopian tubes. It is ordiarily accompanied by pain and fever, and bacterial infection of one or both tubes. "A single episode of salpingitis has been shown to cause infertility in 12–18% of women." (reference for quote:Steven W. Ainbinder, MD, Susan M. Ramin, MD, & Alan H. DeCherney, MD:Chapter 41. Sexually Transmitted Diseases & Pelvic Infections in in Alan H. DeCherney and Lauren Nathan (ed) Current Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology, 10th edition 2007 ISBN 9780071439008)