Patient's question:
I have a female classmate who has pelvic inflammatory disease, but she is still very young and a virgin, why would she get this disease?Doctor's answer:
Generally speaking, unmarried women are less prone to internal genital inflammation, but this is not absolute. Pathogenic bacteria can enter the internal genital tract not only through sexual intercourse or uterine cavity surgery but also through other means, commonly including the following types:1. Poor living habits, such as taking a bath during menstruation, are common triggers. During the menstrual period, the body's resistance declines, and immersing the lower body in water allows pathogenic bacteria in the water to ascend through the vagina into the internal genital tract. Swimming during menstruation makes it easier for waterborne pathogens to enter the vagina, which may then spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing inflammation.
2. Unclean self-masturbation—dirty fingers or dirty instruments are contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, and they may even carry sexually transmitted pathogens such as gonorrhea or mycoplasma. When these dirty items are used to massage the clitoris or inserted into the vagina, they may introduce bacteria into the body, leading to inflammation.
3. Other diseases—appendicitis is the most common. If treatment is delayed, a purulent appendix can release inflammatory exudate into the pelvic cavity, causing fallopian tube inflammation. Acute intestinal inflammation allows bacteria in the intestines to spread to the reproductive organs via lymphatic vessels, inducing genital inflammation. Tubercle bacilli from pulmonary tuberculosis can enter the pelvic cavity through the bloodstream, while intestinal tuberculosis can directly infect the reproductive organs, causing genital tuberculosis.