Pelvic inflammatory disease increases public health costs, survey finds

Teen girls seeking treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in hospitals increases medical costs, experts say, adding that rerouting these girls to outpatient care could lower those costs.

Taken at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, a survey found that adolescent girls treated for PID in emergency rooms can pay six times more than those who utilize outpatient care.

Likewise, teen girls admitted to the hospital for PID, a complication of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like chlamydia and gonorrhea, paid 12 times more on average.

The typical hospital bill for a teens with a case of the pelvic disorder was an estimated $13,000, compared to approximately $700 in an outpatient care clinic.

The survey's authors concluded that outpatient services are the most cost-effective treatment option for teen girls with STD-related pelvic inflammation.

Individuals who engage in risky sexual practices have a higher risk of sexual infection. Those who suspect they have contracted an STD like chlamydia or gonorrhea, or are having secondary complications from them, may consider looking into online testing services.

An estimated one in four sexually active teens contracts an STD every year, according to a study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation.