Pelvic inflammatory disease is characterized by low abdominal pain, sometimes with vaginal discharge, odor, dyspareunia, or intermenstrual bleeding. Severe cases may include fever and chills. Examination includes a speculum and bimanual exam during which specimens should be obtained for culture, nucleic acid amplification testing, wet mount examinations, or older non-culture techniques. Treatment should be initiated early for suspected PID to prevent complications, which can include infertility, chronic pain, and scarring.

 

abnormal uterine bleeding

bilateral adnexal tenderness

Chlamydia trachomatis

cervical motion tenderness

cervical purulence

chronic pelvic pain

dyspareunia

ectopic pregnancy

empiric treatment

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome

infertility

intermenstrual bleeding

long-term sequelae

lower abdominal pain