Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection that affects parts of the female reproductive system – this includes the womb (uterus), fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
It can affect sexually active women aged 15 to 24.
Most PID cases start with a bacterial infection in the vagina or cervix (the neck of the womb) and then spread upwards.
Around 1 in 4 cases are caused by a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) such as:
Other cases happen when bacteria that normally live in the vagina move up into the reproductive organs.
PID doesn’t always cause obvious symptoms, but when it does, you might notice:
- Pain in your lower tummy or pelvis (often the most common sign)
- Unusual vaginal discharge (may look different or smell stronger)
- Pain during sex
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Feeling unwell (fever, tiredness)
- Pain when peeing
If you have severe pain, high fever, or feel very unwell, seek medical help straight away.
The main treatment for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is antibiotics.
- You’ll usually get one injection first, then a 14-day course of tablets.
- It’s really important to take the full course, even if you start feeling better before it’s finished.
- Don’t have sex (including oral sex) until the infection is completely gone.
This helps stop the infection from spreading or coming back.
You can reduce your risk of developing PID by using condoms with new sexual partners.
If left untreated, PID may cause infertility.
You can get STI tests from:
- sexual health clinics
- GPs
- Pharmacies
- At-home testing kits
You can search for your nearest service using our find a service tool.
