pelvic inflammatory disease

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infection of the female reproductive organs, usually resulting from infection with the bacteria that cause chlamydia or gonorrhea . The infection typically first affects the cervical area, then spreads to the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and abdomen. Symptoms may be absent but usually include pelvic pain and vaginal discharge. PID can cause abscesses and scarring in the fallopian tubes that can block fertilization or interrupt the egg's progress, resulting in ectopic (tubal) pregnancy and loss of the fetus. Over 1 million women are diagnosed with PID each year in the United States; 100,000 typically become infertile.

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) n. an acute or chronic condition in which the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries are inflamed and infected. It is usually the result of chlamydial or gonorrhoeal infection ascending from the vagina and may be associated with lower abdominal pain, irregular vaginal bleeding, and vaginal discharge. Blocking of the Fallopian tubes is a common result; this can lead to ectopic pregnancy or infertility. In the chronic state, when pelvic adhesions have developed, surgical removal of the diseased tissue may be necessary.