PID

[needinfo1987]

Hi, I am a 21 year old female, and I went to the ER a couple weeks ago because of a missed period and pelvic discomfort. I was given a pelvic exam, and I was diagnosed with PID. However, I didn't have an STD. I have a faithful boyfriend of 2 years, and neither of us have any STDs. Still, we wear a condom every time we have sex. The nurse told me that sometimes normal bacteria that inhabit the vagina can travel up through the cervix, infecting the upper organs. I understand that PID is a serious condition, but I don't understand why it happened to me. I also read that once you have PID once, you're more likely to get it again. I'm really scared of getting it again, so I wanted to know how I can prevent it considering it wasn't caused by an STD. What could explain why I got it, and how can I ensure I don't get it again? Please let me know. Thanks.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

HI!
Unfortunately, there are far too many ER doctors that use the phrase PID rather flippantly.  Unless you had a culture positive for chlamydia or gonnorhea, I would disagree with your diagnosis.  Just about anyone who goes into the ER with your symptoms comes out with your diagnosis--it is something that is better to treat than to miss, so we just go ahead and treat everybody.

If I were you, I would gather up my records and lab results and go to a good reputable gynecologist (Does mom have a good doc?) and get another opinion on your diagnosis.

Good luck!
Dr B

[turkee23]

i had PID once .... was very painful.... that gave me antibiotics to take for a week and that was it.... havent gotten it since then

[seriously67]

My uterus was infected by the normal vaginal flora's during an endometrial biopsy!  You CAN get PID and Endometritis without the presence of STD's.