What is a common complication of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs, often caused by sexually transmitted infections. One of the significant complications associated with PID is infertility. This occurs due to the scarring and damage that PID can cause to the fallopian tubes and other reproductive structures. When the fallopian tubes become blocked or damaged, it can prevent the sperm from reaching the egg, or impede the passage of the fertilized egg to the uterus, leading to difficulty in conceiving.

Infertility can be a long-term consequence of untreated or recurrent PID, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent such complications. PID can also contribute to ectopic pregnancies, where an embryo implants outside the uterus, further illustrating the risks involved.

The other options do not directly relate to the complications stemming from PID, as adenometriosis and endometriosis are distinct conditions that pertain to the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus but are not classified as complications of PID. Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder and does not have a direct connection to PID or its complications.