3 Follow-Up Checks After Starting Treatment for PID

Starting treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease can leave you with practical questions as well as worry: when should you feel better, who needs care and when can sex resume? Ask the treating service to write down the follow-up plan before you have to remember it at home.

Three follow-up checks

1. Who reviews me within three days? Clinical improvement is expected within that period. If outpatient treatment has not produced improvement by 72 hours, CDC¹ recommends reassessment and further treatment, potentially in hospital.¹

2. How will partners get care? Recent sexual partners need assessment and treatment as directed. Avoid intercourse until your treatment is complete, symptoms have resolved and partners have been treated.¹

3. Which tests and dates apply? CDC¹ recommends testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV and syphilis. If PID involved chlamydia or gonorrhea, retesting is recommended three months after treatment.¹

Do not wait for the review if you worsen

Severe illness, vomiting, pregnancy or inability to tolerate outpatient medicines can require hospital care. Contact the treating service promptly about these circumstances or worsening symptoms.¹

Ask how to reach the team outside normal hours. Keep the medicine directions and review date together, and tell the service if you cannot arrange the follow-up it recommends.

You can ask for privacy when discussing partner care. If you need help contacting partners or arranging their care, say so to the service; you do not have to work out the process from a leaflet alone.

Down There, Decoded includes a Down-There Log and an appointment script. Use them to organize questions alongside your treatment instructions. See the book.