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Adolescent Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Adolescent Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
What is Adolescent Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), is an infection of the female reproductive organs (uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix or ovaries), and is most often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. Other infections that are not sexually transmitted can sometimes cause PID.
If not treated, PID can cause scarring of the fallopian tubes and result in infertility, chronic pain, and/or pregnancy complications.
What are the signs and symptoms of Adolescent Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may cause mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all.
Symptoms of PID – if present – include:
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Fever
- Unusual discharge, sometimes with a foul odor
- Burning during urination
- Bleeding between periods
- Nausea or vomiting (in severe cases)
How is Adolescent Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) diagnosed?
Your daughter’s doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. Based on her symptoms, the doctor may also:
- Conduct a pelvic exam
- Order a urine sample to test for infection
- Order blood work
- Perform an abdominal/pelvic ultrasound or other imaging
- Take a culture of vaginal secretions to test for infections
How is Adolescent Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) treated?
If your daughter is diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease, her doctor will prescribe:
- Antibiotics – taken by mouth for a mild case or as combination of intravenous and oral for a more severe case
- Antibiotic treatment - for any sexual partner to prevent recurrence
In rare cases, if PID causes an abscess, surgery may be needed.
Prevention
The number one cause of PID is untreated sexually transmitted infections. To prevent PID, talk to your daughter about the importance of:
- Avoiding multiple sexual partners
- Using barrier methods of birth control, like condoms, even if she is on the birth control pill or other contraceptive methods
- Seeking treatment immediately for unusual discharge, pelvic pain, or bleeding between periods
Adolescent Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Doctors and Providers
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Ellen Wilson, MD Pediatric GynecologistDivision Director at Children's Health Associate Professor at UT Southwestern Medical CenterRead Ellen Wilson's Full Profile
Ellen Wilson, MDPediatric Gynecologist
Board Certification:
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology -
May Lau, MD Pediatrician - Adolescent MedicineAssistant Professor at UT Southwestern Medical CenterRead May Lau's Full Profile
May Lau, MDPediatrician - Adolescent Medicine
Board Certification:
American Board of Pediatrics -
M. Brett Cooper, MD Adolescent MedicineRead M. Brett Cooper's Full Profile
M. Brett Cooper, MDAdolescent Medicine
Board Certification:
American Board of Pediatrics -
Jenny Francis, MD Pediatrician - Adolescent MedicineAssistant Professor at UT Southwestern Medical CenterRead Jenny Francis's Full Profile
Jenny Francis, MDPediatrician - Adolescent Medicine
Board Certification:
American Board of Pediatrics -
Jason Jarin, MD Pediatric GynecologistRead Jason Jarin's Full Profile
Jason Jarin, MDPediatric Gynecologist
Board Certification:
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology -
Jennifer Walsh, MD Pediatrician - Adolescent MedicineAssociate Professor at UT Southwestern Medical CenterRead Jennifer Walsh's Full Profile
Jennifer Walsh, MDPediatrician - Adolescent Medicine
Board Certification:
American Board of Pediatrics