What are the odds of having PID and not knowing it?

I had chlamydia for five months and didn't know it until my ex told me he cheated and he had it too...Got that taken care of but I've read that if you get chlamydia you have a higher chance of getting Pelvic Inflammatory disease. I worry that I could have gotten it and not known it. I've had a couple of paps since then and they've never told me I had any problems but is it possible it could be overlooked? and for those of you that did have PID how did you find out you had it??

PID is a very significant public health problem. Up to 2/3 of cases go unrecognized, and underreporting is common.

It is estimated that 10-15% of women of reproductive age have had one episode of PID *

The likelihood of complications from PID (tubal factor infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain) is DIRECTLY related to how many epsiodes of PID were experienced. The more episodes of PID the increased likelihood of complications.**

Abdominal pain may be a clinical feature of many disorders and the symptoms of PID may overlap with other gynecologic, gastrointestinal, urinary, and musculoskeletal disorders.

There is no single historical, physical, or labaratory finding that is both sensitive and specific for a PID diagnosis***
-only 1/3 of women with PID have a temp above 38degrees Celsius ****
-the clinical diagnosis of PID is imprecise and clinicians must have a high index of suspicion (meaning they must always carefully consider PID with a variety of symptoms.
-negative lab results do not rule out PID
-a normal ultrasound study does not rule out a diagnosis of PID (though it may aid in diagnosis if tubo-ovarian abscess is suspected


Like was posted earlier, Pap smears have no way of detecting PID. PID is an infection of the female upper genital tract involving any combination of the endometrium, fallopian tubes, pelvic peritoneum, and surrounding structures.

PID can be caused by a variety of factors (bacteria, genital tract mycoplasmas), not just STIs.

It is important that you speak with your healthcare practitioner about your concern. They should be able to help you.
Hope this helps.

PID is very painful when it flares. It is inflammation of the pelvis and just like arthritis, it flares up. Some episodes are more painful then others. I was diagnosed over 20 years ago. It is nothing to sneeze at. Along with the pain you develop unmerciful fevers and quite often vomiting. A course or two of antibiotics is prescribed and soem times a hospital stay. It can cause other problems, one being infertility.

The odds are high... since chlamydia is a bacterial and you've had it for a little while with out it being treated, the bacteria can move up into the pelvic area causing an infection known as PID. You should mention this to your doctor or Gyn. They will have to look more into. PID symptoms are pain in the pelvic area, hard time pooping and peeing, menstrual cramps that hurt like a *****!! Etc... if you don't have any symptoms you most likely don't have it. Stop worrying yourself. You will know when something is wrong but the pain and discharge, your body alerts you that something is wrong.Good luck

PID can have no symptoms allot of poor girls find out when they are trying to fall pregnant.
A smear test will not pick up Chlamydia.
You need to do a test that is just for that and it is as simple as inserting a tampon and removing it again.
If you are sexually active and have different partners go regularly to your local STD clinic.Go there even if your not they will put you right. They are sooo supportive and do better check ups than your GP's, that 's their job.

Remember condoms are not a cure for STD's some of those nasty critters can sneak past.