treatment

Last reviewed 07/2021

Treatment of PID involves:

• general support - pelvic rest - no sexual intercourse, no tampons; bed rest if febrile or systemic complications

• hospital admission if required

• blind treatment (see linked iitem)

• in more severe clinical disease (fever>38 C, signs of tubo-ovarian abscess or pelvic peritonitis) IV treatment is recommended (1)

• suitable pain relief  (1)

• removal of IUCD - only if severe PID. Must be preceded by antibiotic therapy. Alternative contraception should be advised.

• if a sexually transmitted disease (e.g. chlamydia, gonorrhoea) then management is best undertaken by a specialist genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. A GUM clinic will have the facilities for specialist investigation and contact tracing.

• avoiding unprotected intercourse till the treatment and follow up of both the patient and partner(s) are complete (1)

Reference:

• (1) British association for sexual health and HIV. Guidelines for the Management of Pelvic Infection and Perihepatitis