Complications of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Complications from untreated PID can take many years to develop. The resulting problems can be painful. They can also cause permanent damage to the reproductive organs. Complications can even lead to infertility. The longer a woman has untreated PID, the greater the chance that these problems will occur.

Abscess

The body's immune system surrounds infected tissue in the fallopian tubes or ovaries, forming a pus-filled mass. This is called an abscess. An abscess is most likely to form soon after PID infection begins. It can be very painful, and may take months to heal on its own. If not treated, it can cause lasting damage and pain.

Scarring and Adhesions

Infection causes the tubes and ovaries to become inflamed. As inflamed tissue slowly heals, scar tissue forms. The fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, or other organs can become bound together by bands of scar tissue. These are called adhesions. Scarring and adhesions can be painful and may keep the reproductive organs from working right.

Blocked Fallopian Tubes

The fallopian tubes can become blocked by an abscess, scar tissue, or adhesions. Blockages make it harder for sperm to meet and fertilize an egg. The cilia in the fallopian tubes may also be damaged. Damaged cilia can't help sperm and eggs move through the tubes. Both of these problems make it much harder for a pregnancy to begin.

Tubal Pregnancy

A tubal pregnancy (also called an ectopic pregnancy) happens when fallopian tube damage keeps a fertilized egg from moving through the tube to the uterus. Instead, the embryo begins to grow in the tube. The fallopian tube can't stretch like the uterus does. When the embryo reaches a certain size, the tube may burst. This can be life-threatening for the mother and is always fatal to the embryo.