Author:

Abstract:

Every year about 2% of fertile women develop a pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Only 4% of women with PID have serious complaints. 60% on the contrary appear to be asymptomatic and thus remain untreated. Ultrasound and laparoscopy are useful diagnostic tools, although no sign or test exists which definitely confirms or rules out the disease. PID causes subfertility by tubal obstruction (30%) as well as ectopic pregnancies (10-50%) and chronic pelvic pain (30-50%). Early diagnosis of PID and proper treatment are important to prevent or limit a long-term adverse outcome of PID.