Quick Answer
PID is an infection of the upper female reproductive tract, usually caused by untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea. It can cause infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and ectopic pregnancy. Prompt treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics is essential to preserve fertility.
- ~1 million U.S. cases per year
- Caused by: ascending chlamydia or gonorrhea
- Complication: infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pain
- Treatment: broad-spectrum antibiotics, often hospitalization
Context Most Pages Skip
PID is the complication everyone wants to prevent. It is the reason chlamydia screening exists: catch it before it climbs.
Key Facts
About 1 in 8 women with PID experiences fertility difficulty. Each episode of PID increases the risk. Treatment is with broad-spectrum antibiotics, often requiring hospitalization. Prevention is annual chlamydia screening.
⚕️ This page is educational and does not replace advice from a licensed clinician. If you may have been exposed to an STI, get tested — most infections are manageable, and many are fully curable.
Sources & Further Reading
- CDC — Sexually Transmitted Infections
- CDC STI Treatment Guidelines
- WHO — Sexually transmitted infections fact sheet
- MedlinePlus — Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Figures reflect CDC surveillance and WHO estimates; they are population statistics, not personal risk predictions.