Diseases

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

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Inflammation of the female genital tract, accompanied by fever and lower abdominal pain.

SYMPTOMS

Dull pain or tenderness in the stomach or lower abdominal area, or pain in the right upper abdomen
Abnormal vaginal discharge that is yellow or green in color or that has an unusual odor
Painful urination
Chills or high fever
Nausea and vomiting
Pain during sex

CAUSES

Normally, the cervix prevents bacteria that enter the vagina from spreading to the internal reproductive organs. If the cervix is exposed to a sexually transmitted disease -- such as gonorrhea and/orchlamydia -- the cervix itself becomes infected and less able to prevent the spread of organisms to the internal organs. Pid occurs when the disease-causing organisms travel from the cervix to the upper genital tract. Untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia cause about 90% of all cases of pid. Other causes include abortion, childbirth, and pelvic procedures.