Gynecology · Pelvic infection
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in Gangnam: Symptoms and Treatment
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries, usually caused by bacteria such as chlamydia or gonorrhea spreading up from the cervix; prompt antibiotics lower the risk of infertility, ectopic pregnancy and long-term pelvic pain. At Hommage Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, female OB/GYN specialist Dr. Park Yuna diagnoses PID and starts treatment at the same visit.
Quick answer
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries that usually spreads up from the cervix. At Hommage Women's Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, female OB/GYN specialist Dr. Park Yuna examines you, performs a pelvic ultrasound and STI swabs, and starts antibiotics at the same visit when PID is likely. Treatment usually lasts 14 days, you should feel better within about 3 days, and recent partners need testing and treatment too.
Key takeaways
- PID is diagnosed clinically. There is no single test, so treatment starts before swab results return.
- Early antibiotics clear the infection in most women and lower the risk of tubal damage, but they cannot undo scarring that has already formed.
- Most women with mild to moderate PID are treated with tablets at home; severe illness, pregnancy or an abscess needs hospital care.
- Reinfection is a common reason PID returns: partner treatment, no sex until both of you are treated, and a retest at 3 months all matter.
Infographic
PID treatment in numbers
Antibiotic course
A combination of antibiotics, as recommended in the US CDC 2021 guideline.
Expected improvement
If you are not better by then, you need to be seen again.
Partners to contact
Anyone you had sex with in this period should be tested and treated.
STI retest
Recommended because reinfection is common.
Fertility difficulty
Women with a history of PID who have trouble getting pregnant (US CDC).
IUD risk window
The small extra PID risk after IUD insertion is mostly limited to this period (US CDC).
PID at a glance
| Key fact | Details |
|---|---|
| What it is | Infection of the upper genital tract: the uterus, fallopian tubes and sometimes the ovaries |
| Common causes | Chlamydia and gonorrhea, plus other vaginal bacteria such as those found in BV |
| Common signs | Lower abdominal pain, pain during sex, abnormal discharge or bleeding, sometimes fever |
| How it's diagnosed | Pelvic exam with tenderness checks, STI tests, pregnancy test and pelvic ultrasound |
| Treatment | Antibiotics, usually for 14 days, started straight away; partners tested and treated |
| Follow-up | Review within about 3 days, and an STI retest about 3 months later |
| Reviewed by | Dr. Park Yuna, OB/GYN specialist |
Book an appointment promptly if you have
- New lower abdominal or pelvic pain, especially with abnormal discharge
- Pain deep inside during sex
- Bleeding after sex or between periods
- A partner diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea
- Pelvic pain within a few weeks of an IUD insertion or a gynecological procedure
Go to an emergency room instead if you have
- Severe abdominal pain, high fever, vomiting or feeling faint
- A positive pregnancy test with abdominal pain or bleeding, which may mean an ectopic pregnancy
- Pain that is getting worse despite antibiotics
What causes pelvic inflammatory disease?
PID happens when bacteria travel from the vagina and cervix up into the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. The most common cause is a sexually transmitted infection, mainly chlamydia or gonorrhea, but many cases involve a mix of other bacteria, including those found in bacterial vaginosis . Mycoplasma genitalium is another, less common cause.
Your risk is higher if you are under 25, have a new partner or more than one partner, have had PID or an STI before, or do not use condoms. PID can also occur in the first few weeks after an IUD insertion, a miscarriage, an abortion or another procedure that passes through the cervix. Regular STD testing is one of the most effective ways to prevent it, because chlamydia often causes no symptoms until it has spread.
What are the symptoms of PID?
The most common symptom is pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis, often on both sides. Symptoms can be mild, and some women have very few, which is why PID is easy to miss. Look out for:
- Lower abdominal or pelvic pain, or a dull ache
- Pain deep in the pelvis during sex
- Unusual vaginal discharge, sometimes yellow or green
- Bleeding after sex, between periods or heavier periods
- Pain when passing urine
- Fever, chills, nausea or vomiting in more severe cases
- Pain in the upper right abdomen, from inflammation around the liver
Pelvic pain has many possible causes, from ovarian cysts and endometriosis to appendicitis and ectopic pregnancy. Our page on pelvic pain explains how these are told apart.
How is PID diagnosed?
There is no single test for PID. Doctors diagnose it from your symptoms and a pelvic exam, and start treatment straight away if PID is likely, because waiting for results increases the risk of lasting damage.
- History: Dr. Park asks about your pain, discharge, bleeding, sexual health, contraception and any recent procedures.
- Pelvic exam: tenderness when the cervix is moved, or of the uterus or ovaries, strongly suggests PID.
- Tests: swabs for chlamydia, gonorrhea and other infections, a microscope check of discharge, and a pregnancy test to rule out ectopic pregnancy.
- Imaging: a pelvic ultrasound checks for a tubo-ovarian abscess (a pocket of pus) or other causes of pain.
Negative swab results do not rule out PID, because many cases involve bacteria other than chlamydia and gonorrhea.
PID treatment: antibiotics and partner treatment
PID is treated with a combination of antibiotics that cover chlamydia, gonorrhea and other bacteria, usually for 14 days. Most women with mild to moderate PID are treated as outpatients, often with an injection followed by tablets. You should feel better within about three days; if you do not, you need to be seen again.
- Finish the full course , even when the pain settles early.
- Avoid sex until you and your partner have both completed treatment and your symptoms have gone.
- Partner treatment: anyone you have had sex with in the past 60 days should be tested and treated, even without symptoms, to prevent reinfection.
- Retest: a repeat STI test about three months later is recommended, because reinfection is common.
If you have an IUD, it can usually stay in place while PID is treated, but it may be removed if you do not improve. Hospital admission is needed for severe illness, a tubo-ovarian abscess, pregnancy, or when tablets cannot be kept down. In those cases we arrange prompt referral to a hospital.
Can PID affect fertility?
Yes. PID can scar the fallopian tubes, which may block the egg from reaching the uterus. The risk rises with each episode and with delays in treatment. According to the US CDC, about 1 in 8 women with a history of PID have difficulty getting pregnant, and the risk is higher after repeated infections.
Scarring also raises the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, in which a pregnancy implants outside the uterus, usually in a tube. Some women develop long-term pelvic pain. Starting antibiotics quickly, treating partners, and preventing reinfection all lower these risks. If you have had PID and later plan a pregnancy, tell your doctor early. An early ultrasound can confirm the pregnancy is in the uterus.
Possible side effects of PID treatment
Antibiotics for PID are generally safe, but side effects are common. Doxycycline can cause nausea, heartburn and sensitivity to sunlight, so take it with water and food, stay upright for 30 minutes afterward and use sun protection. Metronidazole can cause nausea and a metallic taste, and you should avoid alcohol while taking it. Injections can cause soreness at the injection site. Some women develop a yeast infection after antibiotics, which is easy to treat.
Tell us about any allergies, especially to penicillin or cephalosporins, and whether you could be pregnant, as some antibiotics are avoided in pregnancy. Contact the clinic or go to an emergency room if your pain worsens, you develop a high fever or vomiting, or you are not better within three days.
PID care at Hommage Clinic
Hommage Clinic is a women's clinic in Gangnam, a short walk from Sinnonhyeon Station, and welcomes walk-ins during opening hours. If you have new pelvic pain, come in or call us for the earliest available time. Dr. Park Yuna, a female OB/GYN specialist, examines you privately, performs a pelvic ultrasound in the same visit, takes STI swabs and starts treatment straight away when PID is likely. When hospital care is needed, we explain why and arrange referral. You can find our othergynecology serviceshere.
If you are enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance, the consultation, tests, ultrasound when medically indicated, and antibiotics are usually covered in part. Visitors without coverage pay the clinic's fees directly. We explain costs before tests are done.
How it starts
How pelvic inflammatory disease develops, from cervix to tubes
PID almost always begins lower down. Bacteria in the vagina or cervix, most often chlamydia, gonorrhea or the mix of bacteria seen in bacterial vaginosis, pass through the cervical opening and spread upward. The infection can inflame the lining of the uterus (endometritis), then the fallopian tubes (salpingitis), and in more severe cases the ovaries and the surrounding pelvis, where a pocket of pus called a tubo-ovarian abscess can form.
The fallopian tubes are narrow and lined with delicate tissue, so inflammation there can leave scars that narrow or block them. This is why doctors treat early rather than waiting for test results: every day of active infection is a chance for more damage. In UK guidance, chlamydia or gonorrhea is identified in only about a quarter of cases, which is another reason a negative STI swab does not rule PID out.
Diagnosis
PID or something else? Telling the causes of pelvic pain apart
Lower abdominal pain has many possible causes, and some of them are urgent in a different way from PID. Part of Dr. Park's job at the first visit is to rule out conditions that need a different treatment, which is why a pregnancy test and a pelvic ultrasound are done on the same day. The clues below help, but only an examination can separate them reliably.
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pain on both sides low in the pelvis, tenderness when the cervix is moved, abnormal discharge, sometimes fever.
Ectopic pregnancy
Positive pregnancy test with one-sided pain or bleeding. Needs emergency care.
Appendicitis
Pain often starting near the navel and moving to the lower right, with nausea and usually no discharge.
Ovarian cyst
Sudden one-sided pain, sometimes after exercise or sex. Seen on scan. Read more
Urinary tract infection
Burning and frequent urination, with a positive urine test. Read more
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
A same-day pelvic ultrasound helps rule out an abscess, cyst or ectopic pregnancy. Illustrative photo.
Treatment timeline
PID treatment timeline: from the first dose to your retest
PID treatment follows a clear schedule. Antibiotics start on the day of diagnosis and continue for 14 days. Under the US CDC 2021 guideline, the usual outpatient combination is a ceftriaxone injection followed by doxycycline and metronidazole tablets, each taken twice a day for 14 days; Dr. Park adjusts this for allergies, pregnancy and local resistance patterns. You should feel noticeably better within about three days. If you do not, the diagnosis and treatment are reviewed, and hospital care may be needed. Sex waits until you and your partners have finished treatment, and a repeat STI test about three months later checks that you have not been reinfected.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Most women with mild to moderate PID are treated with tablets at home. Illustrative photo.
Where you are treated
Outpatient PID treatment or hospital care?
Most women with mild to moderate PID do well with tablets at home. In the PEACH trial, 831 women with mild to moderate PID were randomly assigned to outpatient or inpatient treatment and followed for an average of 35 months. Pregnancy rates were almost identical (42.0% outpatient vs 41.7% inpatient), and there was no significant difference in ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain or repeat PID. Hospital treatment is still the right choice in some situations, and Dr. Park arranges prompt referral when it is needed.
Treatment at home
- Mild to moderate pain and tenderness
- Able to keep tablets down
- Not pregnant
- Injection at the clinic, then 14 days of tablets
- Review at about day 3
Hospital care
- Severe pain, high fever or vomiting
- Suspected tubo-ovarian abscess
- Pregnancy
- No improvement on tablets
- A surgical emergency such as appendicitis not ruled out
Aftercare
During PID treatment: do's and don'ts
What you do during the two weeks of treatment matters almost as much as which antibiotics you take. Having had PID once raises the chance of getting it again, and reinfection from an untreated partner is one of the most common reasons. These simple steps help the infection clear and lower the risk of it coming back.
Helps you heal
- Take every dose for the full 14 days
- Take doxycycline with water and food, and stay upright for 30 minutes
- Rest and use pain relief as advised
- Tell partners from the past 60 days so they can be tested
- Come back if you are not better within 3 days
Raises the risk
- Have sex before you and your partners finish treatment
- Drink alcohol while taking metronidazole
- Stop the tablets when the pain eases
- Douche, which is linked to a higher PID risk
- Ignore worsening pain, fever or vomiting
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Partners need testing and treatment too, even without symptoms. Illustrative photo.
Fertility
PID and infertility: why early treatment matters
The best-known data on fertility after PID come from a Swedish cohort of 1,844 women whose PID was confirmed by laparoscopy, compared with 657 women whose laparoscopy was normal. Among women who later tried to conceive, 10.8% of those who had had PID developed tubal-factor infertility, compared with none in the comparison group. The first pregnancy after PID was ectopic in 9.1% of cases, against 1.4% in the comparison group. The risk rose with the number and severity of episodes.
These figures come from women diagnosed decades ago, many with severe disease, so they probably overstate the risk after a single mild episode treated quickly today. They still show why Dr. Park treats on the same day and focuses on preventing reinfection. If you are planning a pregnancy after PID, ovulation testing and a fertility check are a sensible starting point, and an early scan in pregnancy confirms that the pregnancy is in the uterus.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Regular chlamydia and gonorrhea testing is one of the best ways to prevent PID. Illustrative photo.
Prevention
How to prevent pelvic inflammatory disease
Because most PID starts with an infection that causes no symptoms, prevention is mostly about finding and treating infections early. The US CDC recommends yearly chlamydia and gonorrhea testing for sexually active women aged 25 or younger, and testing at any age with a new partner or more than one partner. Treatment cures PID if started early, but it cannot reverse scarring that has already formed, so prevention is worth the effort.
- Test regularly Yearly STD testing if you are 25 or younger, and with every new partner.
- Use condoms Used correctly every time, latex condoms lower the risk of chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- Treat partners After any STI, make sure partners are treated before you have sex again.
- Test before an IUD STI checks before IUD insertion lower the small early infection risk.
- Avoid douching Douching disturbs the normal vaginal bacteria and is linked to a higher PID risk.
- Treat BV and discharge Get unusual discharge checked; bacterial vaginosis is common and treatable.
Evidence
PID treatment: what the research says
PID treatment is supported by randomized trials and international guidelines, but the evidence has gaps. There is no perfect test, so many studies include women whose diagnosis was never confirmed, and long-term outcomes such as fertility are hard to measure. A 2020 Cochrane review of antibiotic trials found that most recommended regimens have similar cure rates, with the certainty of evidence ranging from high to very low depending on the comparison. The figures below are the most useful for women deciding on treatment.
Same pregnancy rate
Outpatient (42.0%) vs inpatient (41.7%) treatment in 831 women followed for about 35 months.
Ness et al., PEACH trial, Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002Tubal infertility
After laparoscopy-confirmed PID, vs 0% in the comparison group.
Weström et al., Sex Transm Dis 1992Trouble conceiving
Women with a history of PID who have difficulty getting pregnant.
US CDC, About PIDChlamydia or gonorrhea found
Share of UK PID cases with one of these identified, so negative swabs do not rule PID out.
NHS Scotland guideline, based on BASHHTraveling or living in Seoul
PID treatment in Seoul for international patients
PID is not something to plan a trip around: if you develop pelvic pain while visiting or living in Seoul, you need to be seen promptly. Hommage Women's Clinic in Gangnam, a short walk from Sinnonhyeon Station, sees walk-ins during opening hours, and Dr. Park can examine you, scan and start treatment at the same visit.
What to bring
- Your passport or residence card
- A list of your medicines and any allergies, especially to penicillin or cephalosporins
- The date of your last period and whether you could be pregnant
- Details of any IUD or recent gynecological procedure
If you are flying home soon
Tell us your travel dates. Try to stay in Seoul until the day-3 review if you can, so we can confirm you are improving before you fly. Take the rest of your tablets with you, keep the written plan, and arrange the 3-month retest with your own doctor. You can send questions by WhatsApp, KakaoTalk or the contact form. For severe pain, high fever or vomiting, go straight to a hospital emergency room.
Hommage · Seoul
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Gangnam, Seoul: the clinic is a short walk from Sinnonhyeon Station. Illustrative photo.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
A private consultation with a female OB/GYN specialist. Illustrative photo.
Choosing well
How to choose a clinic for PID treatment in Seoul
For suspected PID, speed and completeness matter more than anything else. Whichever clinic you choose, check that it can offer the following:
- Same-day appointment Treatment should not wait days for a slot or for swab results.
- A gynecology specialist An OB/GYN can examine, scan and judge when hospital care is needed.
- Ultrasound in the clinic To check for an abscess, cyst or other cause at the same visit.
- Pregnancy test first Ectopic pregnancy must be ruled out before PID is assumed.
- A plan for partners and a retest Without these, reinfection is common.
- Clear referral pathway The clinic should know where to send you if you get worse.
What affects the cost of PID treatment?
The cost depends on which tests are needed (STI swabs, microscopy, pregnancy test, ultrasound), whether an injection is given at the clinic, the antibiotics prescribed, and how many follow-up visits you need. If you are enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance, much of this is usually covered in part when medically indicated. Visitors without coverage pay the clinic's fees directly, and some travel insurance policies reimburse urgent care, so keep your receipts and medical notes. We explain costs before tests are done.
Your visit
What to expect at your PID appointment
01
Prompt consultation
Dr. Park asks about your pain, discharge, bleeding, partners, contraception and recent procedures, and checks for pregnancy.
02
Exam and ultrasound
A gentle pelvic exam to check for tenderness, swabs for STIs and an ultrasound to rule out an abscess or other causes.
03
Treatment at the visit
Antibiotics are started straight away if PID is likely. Hospital referral is arranged if you are severely unwell.
04
Follow-up
A check within about 3 days, partner treatment advice, and an STI retest around 3 months later.
Your doctor
Dr. Park Yuna
Medical Director · OB/GYN Specialist
Dr. Park starts treatment on the day PID is suspected rather than waiting for swab results, because early antibiotics protect the fallopian tubes. She also makes sure partner treatment and a follow-up retest are planned, since reinfection is a common reason PID returns.
OB/GYN specialist (Korea) and representative director of Hommage Clinic. Leads the clinic's women's health care, from screening and infections to hormones, contraception and fertility checks.
Pelvic inflammatory disease: frequently asked questions
Is PID an emergency?
PID needs prompt care, ideally the same day, because delays increase the risk of infertility and ectopic pregnancy. It becomes an emergency if you have severe pain, high fever, vomiting, feel faint or have a positive pregnancy test with pain. In those cases, go to a hospital emergency room rather than waiting for a clinic appointment.
Can PID go away on its own?
You should not wait for PID to go away. Even when symptoms are mild, the infection can scar the fallopian tubes and cause infertility, ectopic pregnancy or long-term pelvic pain. Antibiotics started early clear the infection in most women and lower these risks.
Does my partner need treatment if I have PID?
Yes. Anyone you have had sex with in the past 60 days should be tested and treated, even if they have no symptoms, because chlamydia and gonorrhea often cause none in men. Avoid sex until you have both finished treatment, or you may be reinfected. Partners can arrange STD testing through their own doctor.
Can I get pregnant after PID?
Most women can get pregnant after a single episode of PID treated promptly. The risk of tubal infertility and ectopic pregnancy rises with each episode and with delayed treatment. If you have had PID and are trying to conceive, see a doctor early in pregnancy so an ultrasound can confirm the pregnancy is in the uterus.
Can an IUD cause PID?
The risk of PID is slightly higher only in the first three weeks after IUD insertion, mainly if an STI is already present. After that, an IUD does not significantly raise the risk. Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea before or at insertion helps. Read more about IUD insertion.
Can foreigners get PID treatment in Seoul?
Yes. International patients and foreign residents can be seen at Hommage Clinic in Gangnam. Bring your passport or residence card and a list of any medicines or allergies. If you are traveling, tell us your plans so we can arrange follow-up. Contact us before your visit to arrange language support, and for severe symptoms go directly to an emergency room.
How long does PID treatment take?
Antibiotics for PID are usually taken for 14 days. Most women feel noticeably better within about 3 days; if you do not, you need to be reviewed. A repeat STI test about 3 months later checks for reinfection.
What antibiotics are used for PID?
The US CDC 2021 guideline recommends a ceftriaxone injection followed by doxycycline and metronidazole tablets for 14 days for most women treated as outpatients. Other combinations are used for allergies, pregnancy or local resistance. A 2020 Cochrane review found that most recommended regimens have similar cure rates.
Can I have sex during PID treatment?
No. Avoid sex until you have finished the full course, your symptoms have gone, and your partners have also been treated. Having sex earlier risks passing the infection back and forth.
Can I drink alcohol while taking PID antibiotics?
Avoid alcohol while taking metronidazole and for a short time after the last dose, as advised on your prescription, because the combination can cause nausea, vomiting and flushing. Doxycycline should be taken with water and food, staying upright for 30 minutes afterward.
Does a negative chlamydia test mean I do not have PID?
No. Many cases of PID involve bacteria other than chlamydia and gonorrhea; in UK data, these two are identified in only about a quarter of cases. PID is diagnosed from symptoms and examination, so treatment is not delayed for swab results.
Can PID come back?
Yes. Having PID once raises the chance of getting it again, most often because of reinfection from an untreated partner or a new STI. Partner treatment, condoms, and regular STD testing lower the risk.
Is PID treatment covered by insurance in Korea?
If you are enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance, the consultation, medically indicated tests, ultrasound and antibiotics are usually covered in part. Visitors without coverage pay the clinic's fees directly, and we explain costs before tests are done.
References
Sources used for this page, reviewed by Dr. Park Yuna, OB/GYN specialist. Read our editorial and medical review policy.
- Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1–187. (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
- Dalby J, Stoner BP. Sexually transmitted infections: updates from the 2021 CDC guidelines. Am Fam Physician. 2022;105(5):514–520. AAFP
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). CDC
- Savaris RF, Fuhrich DG, Maissiat J, Duarte RV, Ross J. Antibiotic therapy for pelvic inflammatory disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;8:CD010285. Cochrane
- Ness RB, et al. Effectiveness of inpatient and outpatient treatment strategies for women with pelvic inflammatory disease: results from the PID Evaluation and Clinical Health (PEACH) randomized trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002;186(5):929–937.
- Weström L, Joesoef R, Reynolds G, Hagdu A, Thompson SE. Pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility: a cohort study of 1,844 women with laparoscopically verified disease and 657 control women with normal laparoscopic results. Sex Transm Dis. 1992;19(4):185–192.
- British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). UK national guideline for the management of pelvic inflammatory disease (2019 update); summarized in NHS Ayrshire & Arran PID guideline G121.
This page is general information and does not replace a personal consultation. Illustrations are original works of Hommage Women's Clinic, Gangnam, Seoul; photos marked illustrative are not of patients.
Related women's health services
STD Testing
Confidential tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea and other infections that can lead to PID.
Pelvic Pain Treatment
Sudden or long-lasting pelvic pain: causes, tests and when it is urgent.
Pelvic Ultrasound
Imaging of the uterus, tubes and ovaries to check for an abscess or other causes.
Vaginal Infections
How to tell BV, yeast and trichomoniasis apart, and when discharge needs testing.
IUD Insertion
Hormonal and copper IUDs, with STI checks before insertion to lower infection risk.
Ovulation Testing
Fertility checks for women planning a pregnancy, including after pelvic infection.
Do not wait with pelvic pain
Call or book with Dr. Park Yuna in Gangnam for a same-visit exam, ultrasound, STI tests and treatment when PID is suspected.
Hommage Clinic · 4F, Building A, 509 Gangnam-daero, Seoul (near Sinnonhyeon Station) · Mon & Fri 10:00–20:00 · Tue–Thu 10:00–19:00 · Sat 10:00–15:00