Box 1. Definition of terms associated
with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Causes of PID managed in sexual health:
■■Chlamydia trachomatis—Bacteria that replicates inside
cells, usually sexually transmitted, commonly referred to as
chlamydia
■■Neisseria gonorrhoeae—Intracellular bacteria, sexually
transmitted, commonly referred to as gonorrhoea
■■Bacterial vaginosis—Overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria in the
vagina
■■Trichomonas vaginalis—Anaerobic flagellated protozoan
(single celled parasite with whip-like organelle), sexually
transmitted
■■Mycoplasma hominis—Bacteria with no cell wall, can be
naturally found in vagina
■■Ureaplasma urealyticum—Bacteria with no cell wall, can be
naturally found in genital tract
Potential consequences of PID:
■■Adhesions—Scar tissue that forms around tissues or organs
■■Ectopic pregnancy—Embryo embeds in the ‘wrong place,’ i.e.
outside of the uterus
■■Infertility—An inability to conceive a child
■■Endometritis—Abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside
the uterus
■■Salpingitis—Inflammation of the fallopian tubes
■■Salpingo-oophoritis—Inflammation of the fallopian tube and
ovary
■■Tuboovarian abscess—A pus-filled mass in the fallopian tube
and/or ovary
■■Pelvic peritonitis—Inflammation or infection of the
peritoneum