Frequent Cause of Infertility, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Often Goes Unrecognized

Dr. Kirsten Kreise

Dr. Kristen Kreisel

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Kristen Kreisel PhD
Epidemiologist at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the female reproductive tract often associated with STDs, is putting millions of women at risk for infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain. Our study looked at data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to estimate the national burden of PID. Findings show an estimated 4.4 percent of sexually-experienced women aged 18-44, or approximately 2.5 million woman nationwide reported a history of PID.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Because gonorrhea and chlamydia are often asymptomatic, many STDs go untreated because individuals are unaware they’re infected. The bottom line is that these findings reinforce the importance of CDC’s STD screening recommendations. Screening is the essential first step for identifying a diagnosis, being treated, and reducing the risk of the long-term consequences of STIs, like Pelvic inflammatory disease.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Research to better understand the disparities in Pelvic inflammatory disease prevalence would allow public health practitioners to identify barriers to screening and design interventions for addressing the issue.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Kreisel K, Torrone E, Bernstein K, Hong J, Gorwitz R. Prevalence of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in Sexually Experienced Women of Reproductive Age — United States, 2013–2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017;66:80–83. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6603a3.

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on March 2, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD