Complications of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Complications of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Complications from untreated PID may take many years to develop. The resulting problems can be painful. They can also cause permanent damage to the reproductive organs. Complications can lead to infertility. The longer a woman has untreated PID, the greater the chance that these problems will occur.
If the infection spreads
PID infection can spread to other parts of the body. Bacteria can leave the fallopian tubes and infect the abdomen. This is called peritonitis. Nearby organs, such as the bowel and the bladder, may become bound together by scar tissue. This can cause pain and can keep organs from working right. In rare cases, PID infection can also enter the bloodstream. This blood infection can be very dangerous and even fatal.
Abscess
The body’s immune system forms a puss-filled mass around infected tissue in the fallopian tubes or ovaries. This is called an abscess. An abscess is most likely to form soon after PID infection begins. It can be very painful, and may take months to heal on its own. If not treated, it can cause lasting damage and pain.
Scarring and adhesions
Infection causes the tubes and ovaries to become inflamed. As inflamed tissue slowly heals, scar tissue forms. The fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, or other organs can become bound together by bands of scar tissue. These are called adhesions. Scarring and adhesions can be painful and may keep the reproductive organs from working right.
Blocked Fallopian Tubes
The fallopian tubes can become blocked by an abscess, scar tissue, or adhesions. Blockages make it harder for sperm to meet and fertilize an egg. The cilia in the fallopian tubes may also be damaged. Damaged cilia can’t help sperm and eggs move through the tubes. Both of these problems make it much harder for a pregnancy to begin.
Tubal pregnancy
A tubal pregnancy (also called an ectopic pregnancy) happens when fallopian tube damage keeps a fertilized egg from moving through the tube to the uterus. Instead, the embryo starts to grow in the tube. The fallopian tube can’t stretch like the uterus does. When the embryo reaches a certain size, the tube may burst. This can be life-threatening for the mother and is always fatal to the embryo.
Updated:
October 17, 2017
Sources:
Clinical features and diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease, Up To Date, Long-term complications of pelvic inflammatory disease, Up To Date
Reviewed By:
Freeborn, Donna, PhD, CNM, FNP,Sacks, Daniel, MD, FACOG