What Are The Ways To Prevent Pelvic Infections & Does It Reoccur?

Avoiding sex when you show symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases can help prevent pelvic infections. ¹

Condoms are the best way to prevent sexually transmitted inflammatory diseases when you have sex and lower the risk of pelvic infections.²

Some women get repeated episodes of pelvic diseases when the previous infections are not entirely clear. ^3, 4

Pelvic infections when left untreated can damage the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Women can suffer problems getting pregnant and experience long-term pelvic pain. There are several ways women get pelvic pain and the most common way is having sexual intercourse with an individual who already has a sexually transmitted infection.

Awareness about sexually transmitted infections is often helpful in preventing the condition. Timely diagnosis and treatment of the condition can help prevent the infection from recurrent episodes. ¹

Many cases of pelvic infections can be prevented in the same way sexually transmitted infections are prevented. Avoiding vaginal or oral sex(abstinence) is the best way to avoid most bacterial infections. The other ways include

Using Condoms– If you choose to be sexually active, use latex or polyurethane condoms. Though using condoms will not stop of risk of developing pelvic infections but it lowers the chances of having pelvic infections again.

Getting Periodically Tested – It is a good idea to be tested regularly. Medical history and pelvic exam often look for the sign of infections. So, ensure that you and your partner are tested before having sex.

Sex With Limited Partners – The risk is most limited and perhaps prevents the possible chances of getting pelvic infections.

Monogamous– Being in exclusive monogamous relationships has shown to reduce infections by 84%, so remaining monogamous is highly recommended.

Avoid Alcohol And Illicit Drugs– Drinking too much or using drugs can lead to female infertility and cause pelvic infections

Douching- Douching removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that safeguards the female reproductive organ from inflammations. Frequent douching may run you at risk of pelvic infections. ²

If you are diagnosed with pelvic infections, one of your primary concerns is will it recur? Clinical trials have demonstrated that recurrent episodes have been noticed in 25 percent of patients. When the women get repeated episodes of pelvic infections the condition is called recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease.

Even after treatment, pelvic infections can recur when you have an infection through another sexually transmitted infection. After once you had pelvic inflammatory disease, even the harmless bacteria start infecting the female reproductive tract enhancing the risk of recurrent pelvic infections without getting another sexually transmitted infection.

To prevent future recurrences, your healthcare provider will suggest completing all the medications you have been prescribed.

Always use the prevention techniques mentioned above to help prevent pelvic infections. Despite the prevention method, if you get pelvic inflammatory disease, check with your healthcare provider when it is safe to rebegin your sexual intercourse. Your doctor will determine based on the severity of the infection and the type of treatment you are receiving. ^3,4

The risks of pelvic infections are higher when you have the below-mentioned conditions

• Having sexually transmitted infection
• Previous pelvic infections not treated properly
• Sexually active women in the child-bearing years
• Unsafe sex
• Frequent douching destroying healthy bacteria

References:

Also Read:

• What Are The First Symptoms Of Pelvic Infection & How Do You Test For It?
• What Is The Best Treatment For Pelvic Infection & Coping Methods For It?
• What Is The Prognosis For Pelvic Infection & Lifestyle Changes For It?
• Is Pelvic Infection A Serious Condition & Can It Be Reversed?
• How To Diagnose Pelvic Infection & What Is The Best Medicine For It?