Antibiotics are only solution for infertility caused by Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Study

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: This infectious disease is a devastating condition that can cause chronic pain and infertility. But, till date majority of women are not aware of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PIV), and that is why many health expert also called it as 'silent epidemic'. In general, PID don't have any symptoms at all and so it goes unrecognized by women and their doctors.

Only antibiotics can cure and prevent the relapse of infertility caused by Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases (PID), which is currently found among 15 per cent of Indian females, or simply 1 in 8 women, said health experts on Saturday.

The experts said at least 60 per cent of women in the country do not even recognize that they are infected with PID, leading to the severity of the condition. 

" Having polygamous relationship, sex without condoms, using an intrauterine device (IUD) to prevent a pregnancy and a prior episode of pelvic inflammatory disease are leading to increase in PID. It has been found that only antibiotics can cure it," said Arvind Vaid, IVF Expert at Indira IVF Centre, New Delhi.

Stating that PID can cause permanent damage to the female reproductive organs, leaving scarring in the fallopian tubes, Vaid said that the use of antibiotics with proper medical advice and a complete dose is the only cure for PID.

"Ofloxacin, metronidazole, ceftriaxone and doxycycline are the best antibiotics for the PID," said Vaid.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection that can affect the uterus (womb), ovaries and fallopian tubes. If PID goes untreated, it can lead to blockages or "adhesions", during which the tissues become stuck together and cause fertility problems if it happens around the fallopian tubes.

According to the doctors, PID usually leaves scarring in the fallopian tubes, which can interfere with the egg traveling to the uterus. 

"This can result in the sperm not being able to reach the egg or the egg fertilizing in the tube causing an ectopic pregnancy. As a result of the damage and complications, the risk of infertility continues to increase with the number of episodes," said Nagadeepti Naik, a Nagpur based IVF expert.

Explaining the procedure of antibiotics for the patients, Naik said: "Usually antibiotics have to be taken for 14 days, sometimes beginning with a single antibiotic injection." 

"Its very important to complete the entire course of antibiotics, even if the patient is feeling better, to help ensure the infection is properly cleared. In particularly severe cases of PID, the patient may have to be admitted to hospital to receive antibiotics through a drip in the arm (intravenously)," said Naik.

According to the experts, in cases where PID is caused due to TB, patients have endometrial tuberculosis which again causes infertility. It is even responsible for cessation of menstruation.

(With IANS inputs)