Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

The Pelvic Inflammatory Disease topic includes research on the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of infection and inflammation of the uterus, ovaries, and other female reproductive organs.

Pelvic inflammatory disease causes scarring in these organs, which can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic pain, abscesses (a collection of pus), and other serious problems. Pelvic inflammatory disease is the most common preventable cause of infertility in the United States. Many types of bacteria can cause the disease, but it is often caused by sexually transmitted infections, most commonly gonorrhea and chlamydia.