Can PID Cause Vulvar Pain?
Can PID Cause Vulvar Pain?
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) “can cause chronic pelvic pain in some people, while in others, symptoms can be mild or silent – meaning some people may not even know they have PID” [1]. PID is regularly diagnosed and treated by Vulva Doctors, so if you are suffering from long-term pelvic pain, and think that you could have this condition, book an in-person or online appointment with a Vulva Consultant as soon as possible. This is because if PID is left untreated, it can damage the reproductive system or cause infertility or an ectopic pregnancy
Putting a Spotlight on the Pain
Women mainly feel PID pain in their pelvic region or lower abdomen. The pain can feel sore and tender on a par with a dull ache. Moreover, when it comes to having sex, women can also experience pain deep into their pelvis [2].
What Causes Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
Generally speaking, PID is the result of a bacterial infection. The most widespread causes seen by Vulva Specialists, are STIs (sexually transmitted infections). These comprise:
•Chlamydia
•Gonorrhoea
•Mycoplasma genitalium [1]
Other causes of pelvic inflammatory disease, comprise:
•A burst (ruptured) appendix
•Gastroenteritis, or other type of bowel infection
•Vaginal infections (including bacterial vaginosis)
•Various different surgical procedures (such as a surgical abortion, an IUD insertion, or curettage – a procedure which scrapes and removes tissue from the inner lining of the uterus) [1]
The Three Stages of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Generally speaking, this entails PID being initiated in the cervix, after which it spreads to
the endometrium, and then the fallopian tubes [1].
So What PID Symptoms Should I Look Out For?
The most common pelvic inflammatory symptoms seen by a Vulva Consultant, include:
• Tenderness or pain in your belly (lower abdomen), or stomach
• Unusual vaginal discharge (which is green or yellow)
• An unpleasant odour emanating from your vaginal discharge
• Fever or chills
• Vomiting or nausea
• A burning sensation when you pass water
• Painful sex (dyspareunia)
• Irregular menses
• Experiencing cramping or spotting throughout the month [2]
Note: As your Vulva Doctor will tell you: symptoms might be unnoticeable or mild. Moreover, they could suddenly appear [2].
PID and the Serious Risk of Infertility
If you do not receive the correct treatment: “PID can cause long-term scarring and blockage of the fallopian tubes. This may lead to infertility because the fertilised egg is unable to pass through the fallopian tube to the uterus. If you have had PID, you may be at a greater risk of having an ectopic pregnancy (where the foetus develops outside the uterus)” [1]
Contracting pelvic inflammatory disease could affect a woman’s fertility in the following ways:
•Just one bout of PID can double the likelihood of tubal infertility
•Three-plus episodes of PID raises the risk of fallopian tube blockage by 75%
•One episode of PID raises the likelihood of having an ectopic pregnancy sevenfold [1]
Seeing a Vulva Consultant
When you have your first consultation, after your Vulva Doctor has reviewed your medical history, and asked you various pertinent questions, they may then conduct or arrange an examination and any necessary tests.
Depending on the root cause of your pelvic inflammatory disease, your diagnosis could incorporate:
•A physical exam to check for swelling and tenderness in your pelvic region (this can be carried out by a female Vulva Doctor)
•Urine test
•Blood test
•Swabs of the cervix and vagina
•Ultrasound (trans-vaginal or pelvic)
•Laparoscopy (could be used for some patients) [1]
Once your Vulva Consultant has established an accurate diagnosis, they will prepare a Personalised Treatment Plan which you can get started on right away.
References
[1]. Better Health (2022). “Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).”
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pelvic-inflammatory-disease-pid
[2]. Cleveland Clinic (2024). “Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.”
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9129-pelvic-inflammatory-disease-pid