Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Sexually transmitted infections

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is usually caused by a Reference sexually transmitted infection (STI) Opens New Window that infects the Reference cervix Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window.

When the cervix, which connects the upper vagina to the uterus, is infected with an STI, other bacteria in the vagina can more easily get into and infect the uterus and fallopian tubes.

The most common STIs that cause PID are Reference gonorrhea Opens New Window and Reference chlamydia Opens New Window.

PID caused by chlamydia may have milder symptoms or no symptoms (compared with PID caused by gonorrhea), which can delay diagnosis. PID caused by chlamydia is most common among teenagers and young adult women.

Bacterial vaginosis

Reference Bacterial vaginosis (BV) Opens New Window is a drop in the vagina's "good" organisms and an increase in its potentially "bad" organisms.

When this happens and the problem organisms spread into the uterus and fallopian tubes, PID can result. BV is not sexually transmitted.

PID and intrauterine devices (IUDs)

Inserting an Reference IUD Opens New Window while there is infection in the vagina or the cervix can cause PID. This is especially likely if bacterial vaginosis or an STI is present at the time of insertion.

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