The article describes the current understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of pelvic inflammatory diseases in women. Particular attention is paid to the immunological mechanisms, in particular the participation of cytokines in the development and maintenance of the inflammatory process. There are also described the features of the clinical manifestations of pelvic inflammatory diseases in the current conditions in comparison with those of 30 years ago, as well as the methods of treatment for this group of patients which are used in the modern practice of gynecology, including the use of anticytokine drugs.