PID: Medical Expert Urges Women To Seek Immediate Medical Care

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a serious health condition that requires prompt medical attention, a medical expert, Dr. Aisha Jafar Muhammad, has advised.

Dr. Muhammad, a medical doctor with over six years of experience and the founder of Health Blog Nigeria, an initiative dedicated to educating Northern Nigerian women on reproductive health, emphasised the importance of empowering women with knowledge and encouraging them to seek proper medical care to effectively address this condition.

She explained that the female reproductive system is divided into the internal and external structures.

She said that  the internal system is categorised into the upper and lower sections.

The upper reproductive system comprises the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, while the lower part includes the vagina and cervix.

She said that PID arises from inflammation of the upper reproductive organs, particularly the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

Muhammad stated, “Inflammation is primarily caused by bacterial infections, with sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea being the most common culprits.

However, other microorganisms can also be responsible.”

She further said that common symptoms include unusual vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, pain during urination, fever, and abnormal menstrual bleeding.

According to her, the symptoms of PID can be varied and sometimes subtle, making early detection challenging but crucial.

“If left untreated, PID can escalate, leading to severe complications such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain,” she asserted.

The medical expert emphasised the importance of seeking medical attention at the first sign of symptoms.

“If a patient presents with lower abdominal pain, fever, or any of the associated symptoms, it’s essential to take a detailed medical history and proceed with a physical examination.

During the examination, doctors may notice signs such as lower abdominal tenderness or cervical excitation tenderness, which are indicative of PID,” she said.

She said that diagnosing PID is not straightforward, as several gynecological conditions could mimic its symptoms.

Dr. Muhammad outlined the diagnostic process, which typically involves a combination of clinical examination and laboratory tests.

“An abdominal pelvic ultrasound scan canreveal features consistent with PID, while laboratory tests like high vaginal swab MCS (microscopy, culture, and sensitivity) and endocervical swab MCS help isolate the causative microorganisms,” she stated.

“However, screening for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV, is recommended, as these infections often co-occur with PID,”  she added.

The medical expert said that treatment for PID varies depending on the severity of the infection.

In mild to moderate cases, she recommended a combination of oral antibiotics administered on an outpatient basis. 

However, severe cases require hospitalisation, where the patient receives intravenous antibiotics, she stated.

She emphasised the importance of treating not only the patient but also the partner or partners to prevent reinfection.

She said a critical aspect of PID treatment is the simultaneous treatment of sexual partners.

“If intercourse must occur during treatment, it is advised to use protection. However, abstaining until the completion of treatment is the best approach,” she added.

Dr. Muhammad said if PID is left untreated or inadequately treated, it could lead to severe complications, one of the most alarming is the formation of scar tissue in the pelvic area, which could block the fallopian tubes, leading to infertility.

“If the fallopian tubes are blocked, fertilisation cannot occur, preventing pregnancy. In some cases, partial blockage may lead to ectopic pregnancy, a life-threatening condition where the embryo implants outside the uterus,” she said.

She added that chronic pelvic pain is another common complication of PID, resulting from the formation of adhesions and scar tissue.

“Women with chronic PID may experience recurrent lower abdominal pain, which can be difficult to manage," she said.

She further said that preventing PID largely revolves around practising safe sex and ensuring that sexual partners do the same.

Muhammad debunked one of the prevalent misconceptions about PID, which is that it only affects sexually active women.

“Even if you have never had sex, you can develop PID from other microorganisms that may migrate from the vaginal area to the upper reproductive organs,” she clarified.

She advised women to seek medical care when they experience symptoms, rather than relying on herbal concoctions or other unproven remedies.

“Herbal treatments may suppress symptoms, but the underlying infection can continue to damage internal organs, leading to severe complications,” she warned.