Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Causes & Risks

Causes

PID is caused by bacteria that travel to the reproductive organs. A single bacteria or mixture of several bacteria may cause the infection. The most common bacteria that initiate PID are gonorrhea and chlamydia .

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors include:

Current or previous sexually-transmitted disease (STD)
Multiple sex partners
Sexual intercourse with a partner who has an STD
Intercourse without the protection of a condom
Age: 15-24 years old
Use of an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control—This does not increase the risk of getting an STD, but can accelerate the course of PID.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.