Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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PID - Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, is an infection of a woman's reproductive organs. These organs include the uterus, fallopian tubes, and vagina.
What is going on in the body?
PID is usually caused by a sexually transmitted disease. The cervix, or opening to the uterus, may allow bacteria to enter. Then, an infection may begin. This infection can spread to the fallopian tubes and other parts of the body.
What are the causes and risks of the infection?
Most cases of PID are caused by a sexually transmitted disease, such as Chlamydia trachomatis.\ Sexually transmitted disease refers to any contagious disease transmitted from one person to another during sexual contact. In men, the infection normally involves the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. ',CAPTION,'Chlamydia Infection in Males');" onmouseout="return nd();">chlamydia or Neisseria gonorrhoeae\ bacteria. The infection is usually acquired through sexual contact. ',CAPTION,'Gonorrhea in Females');" onmouseout="return nd();">gonorrhea. In some cases, bacteria that are normally found in the vagina are responsible for PID. Sometimes the specific cause or type of bacteria cannot be found.
PID may also occur after the pelvic organs have been manipulated in some way. This includes procedures such as:
Childbirth puts a woman at risk for developing PID. The following conditions increase this risk: