When is STI screening recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease?

Pelvic inflammatory disease is inflammation or infection affecting the upper female reproductive tract. Sexually transmitted infections can be one cause, but a negative STI result does not rule out pelvic inflammatory disease because other bacteria may be involved. Testing can guide treatment, help identify infections that need partner notification, and reduce the chance of ongoing transmission. A clinician may take vaginal or cervical samples and may offer urine or blood tests depending on the exposure and symptoms.

Attend testing promptly if PID is suspected, even if symptoms are mild or a partner has no symptoms. Share information about new or multiple partners, condom use, previous infections, pregnancy possibility and allergies. Take prescribed treatment exactly as directed and avoid sex until your clinician says it is safe. Partners may need assessment or treatment, and follow-up is useful if pain, discharge or fever does not improve.

Seek urgent medical care for severe lower abdominal pain, fainting, heavy bleeding, repeated vomiting, high fever or possible pregnancy with pelvic pain. PID can require hospital treatment when a person is very unwell, pregnant or unable to take oral medicine. Worsening symptoms after treatment begins also warrant prompt review.

Which infections will you test for, and how will samples be collected? Do my partners need testing or treatment? When can I resume sex, and what follow-up is needed to check that the infection has settled?