Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection or inflammation of the female reproductive organs, including the:

  • Cervix
  • Uterus (womb) and endometrium (lining of the uterus)
  • Fallopian tubes
  • Ovaries

PID is common among sexually active women, especially those in their late teens and 20s, including in Grand Rapids and across Michigan. Because symptoms can be mild or even absent, many women do not realize they have PID until complications develop.

Why PID Matters in West Michigan

PID is treatable, but if it is not diagnosed and treated early, it can cause serious, long-term problems, including:

  • Chronic pelvic pain (which can be worse during cold Grand Rapids winters when overall pain conditions often flare)
  • Infertility (difficulty getting pregnant)
  • Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube)
  • Scarring and blockage of the fallopian tubes

Women in the Grand Rapids area have access to high-quality care through major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health. Early testing and treatment through these providers or local clinics can greatly reduce the risk of long-term damage.

What Causes Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

PID is usually caused by a bacterial infection that spreads upward from the vagina and cervix to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

Common Causes

The most common causes are sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including:

  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Mycoplasma genitalium

Other possible causes include:

  • A ruptured (burst) appendix
  • Bowel infections (such as severe gastroenteritis)
  • Vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV)
  • Some gynecologic procedures, including:
    • Dilatation and curettage (D&C)
    • Insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD)
    • Surgical abortion

Because STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea are relatively common in young adults in Michigan, regular STI testing in Grand Rapids is an important part of preventing PID.

Who Is at Risk of PID in Grand Rapids?

PID can affect anyone with a uterus, but risk is higher if you:

  • Are sexually active and under 25
  • Have a new sexual partner or multiple partners
  • Have a partner who has other sexual partners
  • Have had PID before
  • Have had an STI such as chlamydia or gonorrhea
  • Do not use condoms consistently
  • Have recently had a pelvic procedure (for example, IUD insertion, abortion, or D&C)

Because college-age and young adult populations in the Grand Rapids metro area (including students at local colleges and universities) are often more sexually active, they may be at higher risk and should be especially proactive about STI screening.

Signs and Symptoms of PID

For some people, it can be hard to tell if they have PID because there may be no obvious symptoms. This is why regular sexual health check-ups are important, even if you feel well.

When symptoms do occur, they can include:

  • Lower abdominal or pelvic pain or tenderness (may worsen with movement, sex, or during your period)
  • Menstrual changes, such as:
    • More painful periods
    • Painful ovulation
    • Heavier bleeding
  • Changes in vaginal discharge, such as:
    • Increased amount
    • Change in color
    • Unpleasant or “fishy” odor
  • Bleeding or spotting after sex
  • Painful sex (dyspareunia)
  • Fever, chills, feeling unwell
  • Nausea and/or vomiting

If you notice any of these symptoms in Grand Rapids—especially pelvic pain with fever or abnormal discharge—contact your doctor, urgent care, or a local sexual health clinic as soon as possible.

PID, Fertility, and Ectopic Pregnancy

PID can damage the delicate tissues of the fallopian tubes and other reproductive organs. This damage can lead to:

  • Scarring and narrowing of the fallopian tubes
  • Complete blockage of the tubes
  • Chronic pelvic pain

Impact on Fertility

  • One episode of PID can double your risk of tubal infertility.
  • One episode of PID increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy sevenfold.
  • If you have had three or more episodes of PID, your risk of fallopian tube blockage may increase to around 75%.

Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube. Scarring from PID can prevent the fertilized egg from reaching the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

If you live in the Grand Rapids area and have a history of PID, it is important to discuss your fertility plans with your healthcare provider at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or another local OB/GYN or fertility specialist.

How PID Is Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

If you have symptoms of PID, see a doctor right away. In Grand Rapids, you can start with:

  • Your primary care provider
  • An OB/GYN
  • A community health clinic
  • An urgent care center
  • A local sexual health clinic

What to Expect at Your Visit

Your healthcare provider will:

  • Take a medical and sexual history
  • Perform a physical and pelvic exam to check for tenderness, swelling, and abnormal discharge

Depending on your symptoms, diagnosis may include:

  • Swabs of the vagina and cervix to test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other infections
  • Urine tests
  • Blood tests (to check for signs of infection or inflammation)
  • Ultrasound (pelvic or transvaginal) to look at the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes
  • In some cases, a laparoscopy
  • Sometimes a biopsy (a small tissue sample) during laparoscopy

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is performed under general anesthesia. A thin tube with a small camera at the end (an endoscope) is inserted through a small cut near your belly button to view your reproductive organs. This can help confirm PID and assess the extent of any scarring or damage. A tissue sample (biopsy) may be taken during this procedure.

Treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Early treatment of PID can minimize the risk of complications, including chronic pain and infertility.

Standard Treatment

Treatment usually includes:

  • A combination of antibiotics that target a wide range of bacteria (usually taken for about 2 weeks)
  • Avoiding sexual contact until:
    • You have finished your treatment
    • Your symptoms have completely gone
  • Testing and treating your sexual partners so you do not pass the infection back and forth
  • If an IUD is suspected to be contributing to PID, your doctor may recommend removing the IUD and using another form of contraception while treating the infection

When Hospital Care May Be Needed

In some situations, you may need a hospital stay, for example:

  • Severe symptoms (high fever, severe pain, vomiting)
  • Uncertain diagnosis
  • An abscess (collection of pus) in the pelvis or fallopian tube
  • You are not improving with standard antibiotic treatment
  • You are pregnant and have suspected PID

In Grand Rapids, hospital care for PID is available through:

  • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health Hospital
  • Other local hospitals and emergency departments

Persistent pelvic pain can occur if PID is not treated or if treatment is delayed. If you continue to have pain after treatment, ask your doctor for a referral to a pelvic pain specialist or a gynecologist.

Preventing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in Grand Rapids

You can significantly reduce your risk of PID with a few key steps.

1. Practise Safer Sex

  • Use condoms (external or internal) every time you have sex (vaginal, oral, or anal).
  • Limit the number of sexual partners and avoid overlapping partners.
  • Talk openly with partners about STI testing and sexual history.

2. Get Regular STI Testing

In Grand Rapids, it is recommended that sexually active people:

  • Get tested for STIs at least once a year
  • Get tested more often if:
    • You have multiple partners
    • You have a new partner
    • You or your partner have other risk factors

3. Seek Care Early

  • See your GP, OB/GYN, or a sexual health clinic promptly if you notice:
    • Pelvic or lower abdominal pain
    • Abnormal vaginal discharge
    • Bleeding after sex
    • Painful sex
    • Fever with pelvic symptoms
  • If you are planning to start a family or are pregnant, ask your provider about STI screening and your PID history.

4. Inform Your Sexual Partners

If you are diagnosed with an STI or PID:

  • Let your sexual partners know so they can be tested and treated.
  • If you feel uncomfortable talking to them directly, many clinics and public health services offer confidential or anonymous partner notification options.

Local Resources for PID and Sexual Health in Grand Rapids, MI

If you live in Grand Rapids or Kent County, you have several options for confidential testing, treatment, and advice.

Medical Providers and Clinics

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – Grand Rapids

    • Multiple primary care and OB/GYN clinics across the metro area
    • Hospital-based women’s health and gynecology services

  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids

    • OB/GYN and women’s health services
    • Hospital-based emergency and inpatient care

  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

    • Primary care, OB/GYN, and specialty clinics

  • Mercy Health and other local health systems

    • Family medicine and women’s health clinics

  • Planned Parenthood – Grand Rapids Health Center

    • STI testing and treatment
    • Birth control, pregnancy testing, and sexual health counseling

  • Community Health Centers (for low-cost or sliding-scale care)

    • Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in the Grand Rapids area
    • Community clinics providing primary and reproductive health services

Public Health Resources

  • Kent County Health Department

    • STI testing and treatment services
    • Sexual health education and partner notification support
    • Check their website or call for current clinic hours and locations

  • Grand Rapids Public Health / City and County Programs

    • Community outreach, education, and referrals for sexual and reproductive health

Telephone and Online Support (Example Contacts)

  • Nurse advice lines through major health systems (Corewell, Trinity, Metro Health) – for 24/7 guidance on symptoms and next steps
  • Local OB/GYN offices – for appointments, follow-up care, and fertility concerns
  • Sexual health hotlines and online resources – for confidential information and support

(For specific phone numbers and addresses, visit the websites of local hospitals, Kent County Health Department, or community clinics, as contact details may change over time.)

When to Seek Immediate Help

Call your doctor, urgent care, or go to the nearest emergency department in Grand Rapids if you have:

  • Severe lower abdominal or pelvic pain
  • High fever and chills
  • Fainting, dizziness, or weakness
  • Heavy vaginal bleeding
  • Severe pain on one side of your lower abdomen, especially if you might be pregnant (possible ectopic pregnancy)

Hospitals such as Butterworth Hospital (Corewell Health) and Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital have emergency departments that can evaluate and treat serious PID complications.

Key Points About PID in Grand Rapids, MI

  • PID is an infection or inflammation of the female reproductive organs, often caused by STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea.
  • Symptoms can include pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal discharge, painful sex, abnormal bleeding, fever, nausea, and vomiting—but sometimes there are no symptoms.
  • If left untreated, PID can cause long-term scarring and blockage of the fallopian tubes, leading to infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
  • One episode of PID increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy sevenfold and can double the risk of tubal infertility.
  • Practising safer sex, using condoms, and getting regular STI testing in Grand Rapids are key to preventing PID.
  • If you have any symptoms or concerns, see a doctor or sexual health clinic promptly for testing and treatment.