Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

What is a Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is an infection of the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes and/or ovaries in women. It is the number one cause of female infertility.

Prevalence of PID?

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is common among sexually active women, but since it does not always cause symptoms it is often called the ‘silent epidemic'. 

It is estimated that each year in Australia around 10,000 women are treated for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in hospitals and as many as 10 to 30 times that number may be treated as outpatients . Women aged 20-29 have the highest reported incidence of PID.

How is it transmitted?

PID is transmitted through unprotected vaginal sex or from surgical gynaecological procedures, such as a termination of pregnancy.

Especially in women under 30 years of age, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is often caused by Chlamydia. Additionally other bacteria may also be involved, including gonorrhoea and normal vaginal bacteria.

Symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?

Some women with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease have no symptoms and many have only mild symptoms which often go unnoticed.

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