Concept Map - Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Etiology & Incidence

Incidence

Intracellular bacterial pathogens and the predominant sexually transmitted organism is what causes PID.

It is estimated that more than 1 million women experience an episode of PID every year. The disease leads to approximately 2.5 million office visits and 125,000-150,000 hospitalizations yearly.

Factors that put an individual at risk

Risks

• Having an STD and not treating it
• Having more than one sex partner
• Having a sex partner who has sex partners other than you
• Having previously had PID
• Are sexually active and are age 25 or younger
• Using an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control

Step-by-step pathophysiological process

Pathophyisiological process

• P.I.D is caused by the growth of microbes in the cervix or vagina that travel through the uterus and end in the fallopian tubes, endometrium and other structures that are nearby
• tubual walls become swollen and the lumen is filled with purulent exudate which obstructed the tube and restricts draining into the uterus
• exudate drips out of the fijmbraie onto the ovary and surrounding tissue
• abscesses can form as the inflammatory response struggles to contain the infection
• this disease can lead to damage of the fallopian tubes through scarring and partial/complete blockage
• as the infection progresses infertility and pelvic pain are increased
• highest rates of P.I.D occur between the ages of 15-19
• 85% are caused by sexually transmitted pathogens or microbes associated with bacterial vaginosis

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms

• Pain in your lower abdomen
• Fever
• An unusual discharge with a bad odour
• Pain and/or bleeding when you have sex
• Burning sensation when you urinate
• Bleeding between periods

Complications

Complications

• Formation of scar tissue both outside and inside the fallopian tubes that can lead to tubal blockage
• Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb)
• Infertility
• Long-term pelvic/abdominal pain

How this information will help us with our future patients

How this can help with future patients

• We will have a better understanding of the incidence and the risk factors of PID.
• Being aware of the risk factors (having more than one sex partner, leaving STD's untreated) will allow us to teach our patients about the precautionary measures they should be taking to ensure they do not get PID (limiting your number of sex partners, practicing safe sex).
• We will be able to recognize the symptoms of PID such as pain in the lower abdomin and pain and/or burning sensation when they have sex.
• By recognizing these symptoms we can help treat the problem quicker by being able to report to the phyisician our findings
• We will also be able to teach our patient to recognize these symptoms so they will seek medical treatment quicker
• Will help us when caring for patients already diagnosed with PID because we are aware of the complications and can teach our patients about them such as an ectopic pregnancy and infertility