Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is diagnosed in the following ways:
- Pelvic exam. The exam will enable your doctor to look for any lumps, abnormal discharge, or tenderness in the pelvis.
- Blood and urine tests. These lab tests can help identify the infection. So can cultures of any discharge seen during a pelvic exam.
- Ultrasound. This test creates an image of the pelvic area so the doctor can see if the reproductive organs are enlarged. The doctor can also see if there is a pocket of infection known as an abscess.
- Laparoscopy. Occasionally this procedure, which uses a thin lighted scope inserted into a tiny hole in the abdomen, is used to confirm the diagnosis.