pelvic inflammatory disease

noun

: inflammation of the female reproductive tract (such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries) that occurs especially as a result of a sexually transmitted disease and is a leading cause of infertility in women

Examples of pelvic inflammatory disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If left untreated, bacterial vaginosis can progress to pelvic inflammatory disease and may increase the risk of preterm labor. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 31 Oct. 2024

Untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause pelvic pain and damage the reproductive system. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 31 Oct. 2024

However, an untreated STD or bacterial infection can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (an infection that affects your reproductive organs). —Wendy Wisner, Health, 29 Sep. 2024

Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea in women can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease which may lead to chronic pelvic pain, according to the World Health Organization. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

pelvic inflammatory disease

noun

: infection of the female reproductive tract (as the fallopian tubes and ovaries) that results from microorganisms (as Neisseria gonorrhea or Chlamydia trachomatis) transmitted especially during sexual intercourse but also by other means (as during surgery, abortion, or childbirth), is marked especially by lower abdominal pain, an abnormal vaginal discharge, and fever, and is a leading cause of infertility in women

—abbreviation PID