Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Medications

Content provided by Healthwise

Medications

The treatment of choice for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is 2 weeks of a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which kills more than one type of bacteria. If taken properly, antibiotics will destroy the bacteria causing PID. Prompt antibiotic treatment may prevent or lessen the severity of complications from PID.

Treatment is started even when you meet only the minimum criteria for PID with or without other symptoms. Treatment for gonorrhea or chlamydia is not the same as treatment for PID. Different antibiotics are sometimes used for PID, and they are taken for a longer period of time.

To prevent reinfection, sex partners with or without symptoms must also be tested for sexually transmitted diseases (particularly gonorrhea and chlamydia). Any infection must be immediately treated.

It sometimes takes more than one course of medication treatment to cure PID. Sometimes, bacteria can become resistant to an antibiotic, meaning that the antibiotic is no longer effective against the bacteria. This makes it necessary to try another type of antibiotic.

Reinfection from an untreated sex partner also requires another round of antibiotic treatment.

Medication Choices

Antibiotics for pelvic inflammatory disease

What To Think About

Delaying treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) increases the risk of future problems such as ongoing (chronic) pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.

The treatment for PID takes 2 weeks. It is very important that you take all the medication, or the infection can come back.

Last updated:	November 28, 2006
Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Reviewed By:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC