Name of the Condition

• Female Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Unspecified (ICD-10 Code: N73.9)
• Often referred to simply as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).

Summary

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs, which can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This condition can cause a variety of symptoms and can lead to serious health complications if untreated.

Causes

PID is usually caused by bacteria, often sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Other non-sexually transmitted infections can also contribute to the condition.

Risk Factors

• Being sexually active and under the age of 25.
• Having multiple sexual partners.
• Previous episodes of PID.
• Unprotected sexual intercourse.
• Procedures disrupting the cervical mucus barrier, such as IUD insertion or abortion.

Symptoms

• Lower abdominal or pelvic pain.
• Unusual vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor.
• Pain during intercourse.
• Irregular menstrual bleeding.
• Fever and general malaise.
• Pain during urination.

Diagnosis

• Pelvic examination to check for pain and tenderness.
• Cervical swabs to detect infections and STIs.
• Ultrasound imaging to view the reproductive organs.
• Blood and urine tests to rule out other conditions.

Treatment Options

• Antibiotics to treat the underlying infection.
• Pain management with analgesics.
• Hospitalization for severe cases where intravenous antibiotics may be needed.
• Surgical intervention in cases with significant abscess formation or complications.

Prognosis and Follow-Up

• Early treatment generally leads to a good prognosis.
• Untreated PID can result in chronic pelvic pain, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy.
• Follow-up visits are crucial to ensure the infection is cleared and to prevent recurrence.

Complications

• Chronic pelvic pain.
• Infertility due to damage to reproductive organs.
• Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
• Formation of abscesses in the pelvic area.

Lifestyle & Prevention

• Practice safe sex, including the use of condoms.
• Regular STI screenings.
• Limiting the number of sexual partners.
• Prompt treatment of any STIs to prevent the development of PID.

When to Seek Professional Help

• Severe abdominal pain or tenderness.
• High fever.
• Symptoms of shock like fainting or severe weakness.
• Persistent symptoms despite previous treatment.

Additional Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Planned Parenthood: Information on PID

Tips for Medical Coders

• Ensure that the diagnosis is documented clearly, as unspecified PID pertains to cases where specific causative organisms are not identified.
• Avoid coding for unspecified conditions if specific ICD-10 codes are available that provide more detail.
• Consider checking for related conditions in the patient's history that may need separate coding.