Symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease

PID symptoms can be mild, and some women have none. Because of this, it is often found late.

Common symptoms

• Lower belly or pelvic pain, dull or cramping, on one or both sides
• Unusual vaginal discharge, often yellow or green, sometimes with a bad smell
• Pain during sex
• Bleeding between periods, after sex or heavier periods
• Pain or burning when passing urine
• Fever and chills in more serious infection
• Pain in the upper right belly (a related condition, Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome) in some women
• Tiredness

Signs of severe PID

• High fever
• Severe pelvic or belly pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fainting or weakness
• A pelvic abscess, shown by a painful lump, swelling and worsening pain

Silent PID

Many women have mild or no symptoms yet still develop scarring of the tubes. Regular STI testing is important for those at risk.

Ayurvedic view

Traditional texts describe lower abdominal pain, discharge and pain during intercourse under Yonivyapad. This is an interpretive description, not a diagnosis.

Emergency: go to hospital for severe pelvic pain with fever, repeated vomiting, fainting, or a missed period with sharp one-sided pain, which could be an ectopic pregnancy.

See a doctor if you have pelvic pain, new discharge or pain during sex.

When to get help

See a doctor promptly for pelvic pain, new discharge, fever or pain during sex. Go to hospital for severe pain with fever, repeated vomiting, fainting, or sharp one-sided pain with a missed period. Early antibiotics protect your fertility.

Remember

Mild symptoms still need treatment. Do not wait for pain to become severe.