Could PID cause sharp lower abdominal pain in women?

Question

Hello doctor,

I believe that I had pelvic inflammatory disease. I developed a urinary tract infection approximately five days after receiving an injection one month ago. After that, I continued to experience a tingling sensation in my vagina. I went to the pharmacist, who gave me medication for gonorrhoea for seven days and Doxycycline. Recently, I have begun to feel sharp pain in my lower abdomen.

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern.

I am very sorry about your medical condition, and I am glad that you are paying attention to changes within your body systems. Do not worry. I am here to take care of you.

Thank you for sharing this. I understand that it can be distressing, and I will guide you through the next steps. Based on what you have described, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a very possible diagnosis.

Here is what we know from your case:

You received treatment for a urinary tract infection consisting of a five‑day injection approximately one month ago.
You continued to experience tingling or abnormal vaginal sensations following that treatment.
You visited a pharmacist, who provided medication for gonorrhoea for seven days and Doxycycline.
Recently, you have begun experiencing sharp pain in your lower abdomen.

What this suggests:

You may be experiencing incomplete or under‑treated PID, especially if any of the following apply:

The pain is persistent or worsening.
You have abnormal vaginal discharge.
You experience pain during sexual intercourse or urination.
There is fever, nausea, or irregular bleeding.

PID often results from untreated sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but it can also originate from vaginal infections that ascend into the uterus and fallopian tubes.

See a physician or attend a hospital immediately. PID must be properly diagnosed through a pelvic examination, laboratory tests, and possibly an ultrasound. Untreated or incompletely treated PID can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or chronic pelvic pain.

I suggest you follow the steps below:

Undergo full medical treatment. Standard PID therapy usually includes:

A single dose of Ceftriaxone injection, typically 500 mg IM (intramuscular) or 1 g IM or IV (intravenous) for individuals over 330.7 pounds.
Doxycycline 100 mg taken orally twice daily for 14 days.
Metronidazole 500 mg taken orally twice daily for 14 days (especially recommended if anaerobic infection or foul-smelling discharge is present).
These medications must be completed exactly as prescribed, even if symptoms resolve early.
Avoid sexual activity during treatment. Abstain until both you and your partner(s) have completed treatment and have been cleared. Reinfection is common if a partner remains untreated.
Undergo high vaginal and endocervical swab testing, and provide results as soon as available.

I suggest you consult a specialist, talk to them, and take the medications with their consent.

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.