PID Interferes With Pregnancy
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a serious condition that can harm the ability to become fertile. This condition causes infection of the reproductive organs. Once there is a bacterial infection, a possibility of scarring of the fallopian tubes happens, which leads to infertility. In worse scenarios, doctors recommend in vitro fertilization (IVF) to conceive.
The probability of getting pregnant
PID negatively impacts the ability to become pregnant. About 1 in 8 women with PID had trouble becoming fertile and about 1 in 10 are diagnosed with infertility. The chances of conceiving are tougher when there are repeated infections of the pelvic area. However, with various kinds of treatment, there is still hope to conceive.
Achieving pregnancy after treatment
The initial treatment for PID is the use of oral antibiotics for at least 14 days. During this time, doctors recommend follow-up and avoiding sexual intercourse. In severe cases, the healthcare provider will suggest intravenous antibiotics to treat the infection. Doctors recommend resuming sexual activity 1 week after the course of treatment. A week after the treatment, one can resume sexual intercourse with the hopes of conceiving.
Surgery to fix blocked tubes
A blocked fallopian tube occurs as a result of scarring of the tube caused by the infection. In such cases, the doctor may suggest surgery. This mode of treatment is also recommended when antibiotics do not resolve symptoms. Small adhesions or scar tissues are treated with laparoscopic surgery, whereas large ones require repairing the tubes.
Post-surgery and getting pregnant chances
After treatment, one can hope for pregnancy depending on the degree of block and type of treatment. If the blockage is near the uterus, then pregnancy chances are higher than a blockage near the ovary. Surgery can enhance the ability to conceive but the chances are small.
Turning to alternate options
Even if pregnancy fails after treating PID with antibiotics or surgery, there is still hope. Doctors advise patients on IVF, a common type of fertility treatment that has helped many couples. IVF is retrieving and fertilizing the eggs and sperm in the lab. Once fertilized, the embryo is implanted into a woman’s uterus with hopes of a successful pregnancy.
Getting pregnant with PID
PID is a serious and harmful condition where doctors prescribe strong antibiotics to fight off the infection. Some patients with a more serious condition require surgery. Regardless of the treatment, there is still some chance that a woman can still become pregnant. IVF is another option for couples to achieve pregnancy without losing hope. Speak to the healthcare provider about treating PID and getting pregnant using IVF.
