What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

This is a condition which affects the upper part of the woman’s reproductive system, e.g. ovaries, womb and fallopian tubes. It takes the form of an infection which enters the body through the vagina and then travels up to other areas of the reproductive system.

It can be caused by a variety of things but the main one is sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia.

If it enters the fallopian tubes it then causes them to become red and inflamed which prevents fertilised eggs from passing from them to the uterus. If this happens then the fertilised egg will develop into a foetus inside the fallopian tube (instead of the womb) which is known as an ectopic pregnancy.

This infection can spread throughout the fallopian tubes which then lead to abscesses. It can also cause these tubes to stick to other organs such as the bladder or rectum.

Symptoms of this include fever, lower abdominal pain and heavy periods.

Treatment involves the prescription of antibiotics to reduce this inflammation.

Female Infertility Guide Index:

• What are the causes of infertility in women?
• Can taking the pill cause infertility?
• What is Endometriosis?
• What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (POS)?
• What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

• What are Fibroids?
• Does a blocked fallopian tube mean that I am permanently infertile?
• I am 39 and finding it difficult to conceive, why is this?
• Can irregular periods cause infertility?
• What can go wrong with ovulation?