What Are the Symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Pelvic inflammatory disease is inflammation or infection affecting the upper reproductive organs, such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. Symptoms can develop gradually or appear more noticeably over a short time. Pelvic pain may be felt on one or both sides and can worsen with movement or sex. Discharge may look or smell different from usual. Bleeding outside your expected period, bleeding after sex, or a change in period pain can also occur.

These symptoms overlap with other conditions. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can be linked with pelvic inflammatory disease, while pelvic pain may also have causes such as an ectopic pregnancy or another gynaecological problem. Symptoms alone cannot confirm the diagnosis; a clinician may use an examination and tests to decide what is happening.

Arrange a prompt medical assessment if you have new pelvic pain, unusual discharge, pain during sex, or unexpected bleeding, especially when several symptoms occur together. Until you are assessed, avoid sex or use condoms, and do not use leftover antibiotics or someone else’s treatment. Tell the clinician when the symptoms began, whether you could be pregnant, and whether a recent partner has had symptoms or a diagnosed infection.

Treatment may involve prescribed antibiotics. If an infection is identified, partners may also need testing or treatment, and follow-up helps check that symptoms are settling. Seek advice about testing for sexually transmitted infections even if symptoms are mild.

Seek urgent medical care for severe or rapidly worsening pelvic or abdominal pain, fainting, marked dizziness, heavy vaginal bleeding, repeated vomiting, or a high fever. If you might be pregnant, pelvic pain or bleeding needs urgent assessment because an ectopic pregnancy can be dangerous and may not feel like typical period pain. Do not wait for discharge or fever to appear.

You could ask: Which tests will help identify the cause of my pain or discharge? Could I have a sexually transmitted infection? Do I need a pregnancy test? Should my partner be tested or treated? When should I expect symptoms to improve, and what should I do if they do not?