Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, or PID, is the infection of female reproductive organs. 

According to the Office on Women’s Health, it affects 5 percent of the women in the US. 

It can lead to pregnancy complications and affect the quality of life due to severe pain or bleeding. 

So, to preserve women’s health, it must be treated on time, for which timely diagnosis is vital. 

If you wish to know the possibilities of how to test yourself for PID and how intervention by a medical professional is essential for diagnosis, make your way to the end of the article. 

How to test for PID

It is not possible to test or confirm PID at home. 

There are no PID test kits or other modes available to check for the infection yourself. 

However, there are certain signs you must keep an eye on, as they may indicate Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. 

These include:

  • Pain or tenderness in your stomach
  • Pain in the lower abdomen
  • Abnormal yellow or green vaginal discharge with an unusual odor
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Pain during sex
  • Burning sensation while urinating
  • Irregular periods 
  • Spotting or cramping throughout the month

However, these symptoms do not necessarily mean PID, as many of them are common for Endometriosis Or Appendicitis. 

To learn more about understanding the difference, read PID vs Endometriosis. 

Lab tests for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

To rule out the chances of problems with similar symptoms, you must seek help from a doctor. 

Only a medical professional can confirm if you have PID through a few tests. 

Firstly, they proceed with knowing about your symptoms and sexual history. 

Since no single test is available for PID diagnosis, there are multiple options to choose from based on symptoms and requirements. 

Pelvic exam

This is the initial step to look for abnormalities like vaginal discharge or tenderness. 

It can be uncomfortable or painful if you have PID. 

Fact:
Women of any age can get PID, but those who are in their twenties and are sexually active are more likely to be affected.

Swab test

A swab is inserted in the vagina or cervix to get a sample. 

It is then checked in a laboratory for bacterial infections such as Gonorrhea or Chlamydia. 

These can be the underlying causes of PID. 

Ultrasound

Ultrasound checkup for regular monitoring
A doctor is using ultrasound scanner for checkup

For PID testing, mainly transvaginal ultrasound is used. 

It requires the insertion of an ultrasound probe into the vagina for examination. 

Warning:
Untreated PID can increase the chances of Ectopic pregnancy (fertilized egg implants outside the uterus). If you have PID, you must contact a doctor immediately to avoid such complications. In case the Ectopic pregnancy already occurs, you will need medications to stop the growth of the fetus or surgery to remove it.

Laparoscopy

For PID, Laparoscopy is also a helpful method of diagnosis. 

It requires small incisions in the abdomen to insert a tube with light and a camera to look at the organs. 

Laparoscopy can also rule out the chances of Appendicitis. 

Other tests

Sometimes, a blood test or urine test for PID can also be used to check for inflammation or infections. 

Moreover, for symptoms such as pain, a pregnancy test can be conducted to rule out the chances. 

Conclusion

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, or PID, is an infection of the female reproductive organs. 

Signs like foul-smelling vaginal discharge, pain, nausea, or urination issues can signal PID. 

Unfortunately, there is no home test so far to diagnose PID. 

To confirm, you must seek help from a doctor who may conduct a pelvic exam, blood or urine test, ultrasound, or Laparoscopy. 

Upon successful and timely diagnosis, it is easy to treat PID and avoid complications such as infertility while preserving healthy reproductive function. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a test for PID? 

There are a few tests that can be used to diagnose PID or rule out other causes of symptoms like vaginal discharge or severe pain. These tests include vaginal swabs, blood or urine tests, and pregnancy tests. Even an ultrasound or Laparoscopy can be used to check for PID. 

How Do I Get Testing & Treatment For PID?

The initial test for PID is a pelvic exam. A doctor may also test for sexually transmitted diseases like Gonorrhea or Chlamydia to determine the underlying causes of PID. More tests like blood or urine tests, ultrasound, or Laparoscopy can also be used. For treatment, doctors usually recommend antibiotics. 

How to test Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

It is not possible to test and confirm at home if you have Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. For that, you need to seek help from a medical professional who will first perform a pelvic exam. Then, a blood or urine test, ultrasound, or Laparoscopy can be used to confirm PID. 

How do I know if I have Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

There are many symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. They include moderate to severe pelvic pain, vaginal discharge with abnormal smell, and bleeding in between periods. To confirm PID, you need to seek help from a doctor who will perform a pelvic exam or blood or urine test for diagnosis. 

Citations:
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