Diseases

• Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection caused by bacteria infecting a woman's uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Germs found in sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia are the usual culprits of PID but the disease can sometimes be caused by bacteria that naturally appear in the vagina. Erectile dysfunction is also known as impotence and is characterized by a lack of ability to maintain or get an erection during sex. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by an interruption of any of the processes that contribute to an erection. This includes nerve damage, surgery and some medications like antihistamines can also cause erectile dysfunction.
  
  

Risk Factors

• Women that are 25 and under and are sexual active are at higher risk to contract pelvic inflammatory disease. Douching, having more than one sexual partner and currently or previously having an STD are other risk factors for pelvic inflammatory disease. Smoking, lack of exercise and improper diet can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. Men with diseases like alcoholism, kidney disease and vascular disease are also at a greater risk of having erectile dysfunction.
  
  

Symptoms

• Women with pelvic inflammatory disease may experience a fever of over 99 degrees F, painful sex and painful urination. Irregular periods, vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor and pain in the upper abdomen are also reported. In some cases, women experience no symptoms at all. The symptoms of erectile dysfunction can range from a complete inability to have an erection to only sporadic instances of failing to have an erection. Erectile dysfunction can also result in short lived erections.
  
  

Treatment

• Pelvic inflammatory disease is cured with the use of antibiotics. Even if symptoms disappear, pelvic inflammatory disease will not be completely cured unless the entire course of antibiotics is completed. Unfortunately, any damage done to the pelvic organs can not be undone but treatment is still extremely important. Erectile dysfunction is sometimes treated with psychotherapy to help relieve some of the stress and anxiety that may lead to performance issues. Drug therapy with the use of medications like Viagra increases blood flow in the muscles of the penis.
  
  

Prevention

• The best way to prevent having pelvic inflammatory disease is to abstain from sex or only have one sexual partner. Abstain from douching as this can remove some of the bacteria in the vagina that help ward of infection. Regular exercise and adequate amounts of sleep can help in preventing erectile dysfunction. Limiting alcohol consumption and quitting smoking are also techniques used to prevent ED.