Does pelvic inflammatory disease cause pain during sex?

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection-related inflammation affecting the upper reproductive tract. Irritation around the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, or nearby tissues may cause pain during sex, pelvic tenderness, unusual discharge, bleeding after sex, or discomfort when passing urine. Symptoms can be mild, absent, or different from one person to another. Pain during sex has other possible causes too, including vaginal dryness, pelvic floor muscle tension, endometriosis, or another infection, so the symptom alone cannot identify the cause.

Arrange a prompt appointment with a doctor or sexual-health clinician if pain during sex is new, persistent, or accompanied by discharge, bleeding, pelvic pain, or fever. Assessment may include questions about symptoms and sexual health, an examination, and tests for infections; the clinician may also consider a pregnancy test or imaging based on your findings. Avoid sex until you have been assessed if it worsens the pain, and do not share or use leftover antibiotics. If treatment is prescribed, take it exactly as directed and ask whether recent sexual partners also need assessment.

Seek urgent medical care for severe or rapidly worsening pelvic pain, fever with feeling very unwell, repeated vomiting, fainting, heavy vaginal bleeding, or possible pregnancy with pelvic pain or bleeding. These signs can indicate a complication or another condition needing immediate assessment. Do not wait for pain during sex to settle if you also have marked tenderness or feel dizzy or weak.

You could ask: What tests will help find the cause of my pain? Could an infection explain my other symptoms? Should my partner be tested or treated? When is it safe to have sex again? What warning signs should prompt urgent review?