Treatment:

If you are diagnosed with mild PID, you may be given antibiotics and told to closely follow-up with your health care provider.

More severe cases may require you to stay in the hospital. Antibiotics are first given by IV, and then later by mouth. Which antibiotic is used depends on the type of infection.

• A number of different antibiotics may be used for treating infections that occur after gynecological procedures.
• Chlamydia can be treated with a variety of antibiotics, including azithromycin, tetracyclines, quinolones, and erythromycin. Erythromycin and azithromycin are safe in pregnant women.
• See gonorrhea for its specific treatment recommendations.

Surgery may be considered for complicated cases that do not improve with antibiotics. Any sexual partner(s) must also be treated. It is essential that you use condoms during treatment.

Complications:

PID infections can cause scarring of the pelvic organs, possibly leading to:

• Chronic pelvic pain
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Infertility

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of PID. Also call if you think you have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease or if treatment of a current STD does not seem to be working.