The short explanation
Lower tummy pain with fever and abnormal discharge after a new partner can be signs of pelvic inflammatory disease, PID. This is an infection of the womb, fallopian tubes or ovaries, often caused by sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. It needs prompt medical treatment. Early treatment is important because untreated PID can lead to long-term pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and fertility problems. A doctor will examine you, take swabs and usually start treatment straight away. Some women need hospital care, especially if they are very unwell or might be pregnant.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Other causes of similar symptoms include appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy and urinary infections, which is why examination matters.
- Your partner should also be tested and treated, and you should avoid sex until both of you have finished treatment.
- STI clinics and government hospitals provide confidential testing and treatment.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell what is causing your symptoms. Urgent examination is needed.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Could this be pelvic inflammatory disease?
- What tests do I need?
- Do I need hospital treatment?
- Should my partner be tested and treated?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have severe pain, high fever, vomiting, fainting or might be pregnant.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day for lower belly pain with fever and abnormal discharge.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Attend follow-up after treatment to make sure the infection has cleared.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
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No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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