Treatment & Testing of PID

Testing of PID

For testing please contact your local doctor or sexual health clinic.

There is no single test for PID. Testing can involve a doctor taking swabs from the cervix and/or urethra and conducting an examination for the tenderness of swelling of the uterus and tubes. Additionally, the doctor will probably test for Chlamydia and other infections.

Treatment or Management of PID

Often the doctor will recommend treatment for PID based on the clinical assessment, even before the results of other tests are known.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is treated with a combination of at least 2 different antibiotics, for a period of at least 14 days.

Some points to remember when being treated with antibiotics:

• Make sure you finish the whole course of antibiotics. Even when symptoms improve, the infection may still not be completely gone
• Women should avoid sexual intercourse for at least 14 days after commencing antibiotics
• Women should always return to the doctor for a follow-up, to check that the infection is improving, that partners are being treated and to check that no new problems have occurred
• Certain antibiotics may stop the oral contraceptive pill from working. Women on the pill should use condoms if sex cannot be avoided during the antibiotic treatment and for seven days of hormone pills afterwards.

Prevention of PID

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease can be prevented by:

• Practicing safer sex - Using condoms and dams when sex, will reduce the risk of contracting Sexual Transmitted Infections such as Chlamydia and gonorrhoea, which can cause PID. A dam is a thin latex square held over the vaginal or anal area during oral sex. Using gladwrap is not a safe alternative to dams, but a condom split along one side and laid flat can be used as a dam. Dams are available from selected chemist. For more information on Dams, please visit http://www.glydehealth.com/dams.html
• Seeing a doctor for a Chlamydia test if you have changed partners or had unprotected sex
• Seeing a doctor immediately if you have any unusual pelvic pain, vaginal discharge or bleeding
• Ensuring that your sexual partners are tested and treated to avoid re-infection.

Emotional Support

Finding out you have Pelvic Inflammatory Disease can be quite a shock and extremely stressful. You may even experience it as being challenging for your partner and for your overall relationship. It is also important to overcome these emotional effects, since feeling distressed will impact your overall wellbeing.

Sexual Health Australia offers counselling and support for individuals and/or their partners who are dealing with the discovery of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. In the counselling sessions we would work on overcoming the emotional effects and you are encouraged to express your feelings. Additionally, we will provide further education and information about the condition and we will guide you in taking the appropriate steps to coping with the situation emotionally. You are supported to develop goals and skills to deal with the challenge together and/or individually.  The counsellor is respectful and mindful of the individual and relationship challenges, and your norms and values.

If you wish to make an appointment with one of our friendly counsellors or require further information, please don't hesitate to contact us at:

info@sexualhealthaustralia.com.au

For more information on our counselling sessions/appointments please click here.

Sexual Health Australia does NOT offer STI testing or medical advice, for an overall check up and medical treatment please contact either your GP or a Sexual Health Clinic in your area.

Sex therapy and Relationship Counselling is available in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW) -  Melbourne, Victoria (VIC) -  Adalaide, South Australia (SA) -  Perth, Western Australia (WA) - Darwin, Northern Territories (NT) -  Hobart, Tasmania (TAS) - Brisbane, Queensland (QLD) - Canberra, Australian Capital territory (ACT)