Infection and Discharge
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Related Terms · Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease is a condition where infection and inflammation occur in the upper reproductive organs, such as the uterus and fallopian tubes. Lower abdominal pain, fever, abnormal discharge, and dyspareunia may occur together. To ensure treatment is not delayed, necessary tests and antibiotic treatment should be confirmed.
Meaning and Distinctions
What is pelvic inflammatory disease?
Pelvic inflammatory disease cannot be ruled out even if symptoms are mild or absent. Pelvic inflammatory disease is a condition where infection and inflammation occur in the upper reproductive organs, such as the uterus and fallopian tubes. Lower abdominal pain, fever, abnormal discharge·Pain during intercourse may occur; you must confirm the necessary tests and antibiotic treatment to ensure treatment is not delayed.
- Easily confused terms
- VaginitisUnlike vaginitis, which is primarily limited to inflammation inside the vagina, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can present with lower abdominal pain, fever, and pain during intercourse, requiring prompt evaluation.
- Why this is checked during medical evaluation
- The priority is to ensure the cause is treated. Once safety is confirmed, remaining discomfort and recovery will be addressed.
- What to record for your visit
- Please write down the following with dates and show them during your medical evaluation: the date when fever, pain, or discharge began; antibiotic medication history; pregnancy tests, STI tests, ultrasound results, presence of abscesses, and re-examination plans; treatment for sexual partners, guidelines for sexual intercourse, and full medication history.
Women's Health Glossary
Compare similar terms here
You can check a brief definition before proceeding to a detailed explanation.Read More
Check guides where this term is used
- Condition GuidePelvic Inflammatory DiseasePelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may present as lower abdominal or pelvic pain, vaginal discharge with a change in odor or color, pain during intercourse, bleeding between periods, painful urination, or fever, but symptoms may be mild or absent. If there is a possibility of pregnancy, severe pain on one side, a feeling of fainting, high fever, or vomiting, emergency causes such as ectopic pregnancy or severe infection must be evaluated first. If PID is suspected, treatment should begin without waiting for test results.→
- Medical Evaluation GuideIf itching and discharge recur after treatment for vaginitisRather than repeating the same medication when vaginitis becomes uncomfortable again, please bring a record of the cause identified in previous tests, the name of the medication, and the duration of improvement. Treatment differs for Candida, bacterial vaginosis, and Trichomoniasis; if fever, lower abdominal pain, and pain during intercourse occur together, other evaluations including PID must come first.→
- Women's Health ColumnCan Candida, bacterial vaginosis, and Trichomonas be distinguished by symptoms alone?→
Evidence and Update Information
The following materials were referenced to verify the basis and scope of the definitions and treatment explanations.
- CDC: Vaginal DischargeReasons why the cause of vaginitis cannot be determined by symptoms alone and the necessary tests