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How can pelvic inflammatory disease damage the fallopian tubes?

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Diagram showing the female reproductive system with labeled ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina, alongside hormone pathways and the process from ovulation to fertilization and early embryo development. — infertility Major structures and hormones involved in the initiation of pregnancy. Also seen, at right, is the development of an egg cell (ovum) from follicle to embryo.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the upper female reproductive tract, often caused by sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea or chlamydia.12

The primary way PID damages the fallopian tubes is through the development of inflammation and subsequent scarring. This scarring can lead to the obstruction or blockage of the tubes, which are the essential passageways for sperm and eggs. Additionally, the infection can cause the development of abscesses on the fallopian tubes or ovaries, further compromising the reproductive system.12

Because these tubes must be open and healthy to allow for fertilization and the transport of an embryo to the uterus, this damage is a leading cause of infertility in women. Furthermore, women with a history of PID face a significantly higher risk of ectopic pregnancies, where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus.231