How to Diagnose Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) affects an estimated one million women each year. It is a serious and unfortunately common infection involving a woman's reproductive organs. When a woman does not treat Pelvic Inflammatory Disease symptoms, more complications can arise. In severe cases, sterility or death can result.

Instructions

• 1

  Pay attention to unusual discomfort in the lower abdominal area. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease symptoms are mild. Do not dismiss them as "aches and pains." Bring any unusual discomfort to your gynecologist's attention.

• 2

  Tell your doctor if you experience pain while urinating or having intercourse. Pain occurs for a reason. The body tells you that something is wrong. Pain is a serious symptom you must never ignore.

• 3

  Note any unusual changes to your menstrual cycle. This is particularly important if your cycle normally follows a predictable pattern.

• 4

  See your doctor if you experience any combination of fever, lower back pain or unusual vaginal discharge with a foul odor.

• 5

  Know that PID symptoms can be so subtle you are unaware they exist. Gynecological testing can help diagnose PID even when no symptoms are evident. Regular visits to your gynecologist are a necessary part of a healthy regimen.

• 6

  Pursue any testing your doctor recommends. Diagnosis of PID can be difficult due to the subtle nature of the symptoms. There is no definitive test for the disease at this time. Rather, physicians make a diagnosis by evaluating a combination of symptoms and test results. Talk with your doctor if you have any symptoms at all. It's more prudent to rule out PID than to ignore the symptoms and hope for the best.