Sexually transmitted diseases when left untreated can cause serious infections such as chronic pelvic pain and inflammation of the covering of the liver, sepsis, and death.1
Untreated pelvic infections also cause scar tissue and abscesses with infected fluid that often leads to permanent damage of the reproductive organs.2
Pelvic infection when diagnosed early is treated successfully and prevents damage that occurs in the reproductive system but cannot reverse the scarring caused by the infection.3, 4
Is Pelvic Infection A Serious Condition?
Pain with dull pressure in the lower abdomen is the most classic symptom of pelvic infection. When the condition is left untreated, the dull pressure can intense chronic pain that interferes with day-to-day life. At times, the pain will be so intense that you won’t be even able to stand up and go to your doctor for medical assistance. Anyone can get a pelvic infection, but the rate of risk is higher for women.
Pain during intercourse and lower back pain is also a symptom of pelvic inflammatory disease. When your symptoms seem abnormal, you should talk to your doctor to figure out what is causing the pain and proceed with an appropriate treatment to help resolve the infection.1
Similarly, heavy vaginal discharge with an unpleasant fishy odor indicates an infection in the reproductive organ. Untreated pelvic infections can lead to serious health problems that are sometimes life-threatening. The condition that is left untreated leads to the spread of infection from the reproductive system to other parts of the body.
The infection spread can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy with chronic pain in the lower belly. 1 in 8 females with a genetic history of pelvic inflammatory disease experience problems getting pregnant. The longer you have the pelvic infection the higher the risks are, so when you have symptoms, you should have to get checked and regularly tested for sexually transmitted diseases.2
Can You Reverse Pelvic Infections?
Studies demonstrate more than a million women are diagnosed with pelvic infection each year and the number of women with the unrecognized disease is estimated to be far higher. Pelvic inflammatory disease when diagnosed early can be treated. However, even the best possible treatment won’t undo any damage caused to the reproductive organ.
Complications tend to increase when you show delays with the treatment. Your healthcare provider suggests for antibiotics to clear the infection. However, you should not stop taking antibiotics as soon as the symptoms get better instead finish taking all your medicines as advised by your physician.
The condition cannot be reversed but can be prevented by following precautionary measures. Since sexually transmitted diseases play a major role in increasing the risk of pelvic infections, proper treatment of infected women and their sex partners can help minimize the spread of infections.
Sexually active women in the child-bearing years should undergo regular screening for annual chlamydia and gonorrhea because cervical infections can be identified and treated before they have time to spread.3, 4
Pelvic infections often arise from an untreated sexually communicated inflammation that can lead to scar developments with fibrous groups. Most of the symptoms include pain and fever however some complications include chronic, persistent, pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.
In most instances, the symptoms can be mild to severe and it is often confused for other diseases including endometriosis or appendicitis. Acute conditions can be severe usually requiring immediate medical assistance. Undiagnosed conditions and irregular treatment can make the infection prolonged and fatal.
- “Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – CDC Fact Sheet.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 Nov. 2020, www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-
pid.htm - “Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.” BC Centre for Disease Control, www.bccdc.ca/health-info/
diseases-conditions/pelvic- inflammatory-disease - “Detailed STD Facts – Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – CDC Fact Sheet.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 Nov. 2020, www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-
pid-detailed.htm - Breeding, Deborah. “Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Don’t Let It Sneak Up on You.” Contemporary OB/GYN, www.contemporaryobgyn.net/
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