CDC Diagnostic Criteria for the Diagnosis of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Minimal criteria*

• Lower abdominal tenderness
• Uterine/adnexal tenderness
• Cervical motion tenderness

Additional criteria

• Oral temperature > 38.3°C (101°F)
• Abnormal cervical or vaginal mucopurulent discharge
• Presence of white blood cells (WBCs) on saline microscopy of vaginal secretions
• Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• Elevated C-reactive protein level
• Laboratory documentation of cervical infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis

Definitive criteria

• Histopathologic evidence of endometritis on endometrial biopsy
• Transvaginal sonography or magnetic resonance imaging techniques showing thickened, fluid-filled tubes with or without free pelvic fluid or tubo-ovarian complex
• Laparoscopic abnormalities consistent with PID

PID, pelvic inflammatory disease

* Empiric treatment is indicated in sexually active women considered at risk for PID if all three findings are present.