Signs and symptoms: Pelvic inflammatory disease natural treatment
Some women may have no symptoms at all, especially if PID is caused by chlamydia. However, severe symptoms can develop quickly and include:
- Lower abdomen or back pain
- Menstrual disturbances such as irregular periods or increased menstrual pain
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Pain during sex or urination
- Complications include recurrent infection, chronic abdominal pain, ectopic pregnancies and infertility. Causes of PID
The most common pathogens involved in the development of PID include gonorrhoea. Which accounts for half of all cases, and chlamydia—an organism responsible for a quarter of cases. Other potential causes include infecting organisms in the reproductive tract or bowel, burst appendix or surgical procedures such as insertion of an intrauterine device or abortion. The infection usually begins in the cervix, followed by the endometrium and then the fallopian tubes.
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Risk factors
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A number of factors might increase your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, including:
- Being a sexually active woman younger than 25 years old
- Having multiple sexual partners
- Being in a sexual relationship with a person who has more than one sex partner
- Having sex without a condom
- Douching regularly upsets the balance of good versus harmful bacteria in the vagina and might mask symptoms
- Having a history of pelvic inflammatory disease or a sexually transmitted infection
There is a small increased risk of PID after the insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD). This risk is generally confined to the first three weeks after insertion.
Complications: Pelvic inflammatory disease natural treatment
An untreated pelvic inflammatory disease might cause scar tissue and pockets of infected fluid (abscesses) to develop in the reproductive tract. These can cause permanent damage to the reproductive organs.
Complications from this damage might include:
- Ectopic pregnancy. PID is a major cause of tubal (ectopic) pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy can occur when untreated PID has caused scar tissue to develop in the fallopian tubes. The scar tissue prevents the fertilized egg from making its way through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus. Instead, the egg implants in the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancies can cause massive, life-threatening bleeding and require emergency medical attention.
- Infertility. Damage to your reproductive organs may cause infertility — the inability to become pregnant. The more times you’ve had PID, the greater your risk of infertility. Delaying treatment for PID also dramatically increases your risk of infertility.
- Chronic pelvic pain. Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause pelvic pain that might last for months or years. Scarring in your fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs can cause pain during intercourse and ovulation.
- Tubo-ovarian abscess. PID might cause an abscess — a collection of pus — to form in your reproductive tract. Most commonly, abscesses affect the fallopian tubes and ovaries, but they can also develop in the uterus or in other pelvic organs. If an abscess is left untreated, you could develop a life-threatening infection.
Protecting yourself from PID
The most effective way to protect yourself against PID is to use condoms during sex. It is recommended that you have regular checks for sexually transmitted infections if you are sexually active.
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Treatment: Pelvic inflammatory disease natural treatment
Medical treatment usually involves taking a combination of antibiotics. Testing male partners and treating them is considered an important aspect to address. While undergoing treatment it is usually advised that genital sexual contact is avoided until a negative test result is achieved. In severe cases, hospitalisation and surgery are required.
Natural therapies for PID
Probiotics
Levels of beneficial bacteria colonise all areas of the body including the female reproductive system. It is believed that healthy levels of Lactobacillus spp. help protect the area from opportunistic pathogens such as Candida spp., and other viruses, bacteria and parasites. Although no studies have been done specifically on probiotic supplementation and pelvic inflammatory disease, probiotics have been found to be beneficial in other reproductive disorders including urogenital infections and bacterial vaginitis. Keeping in mind that common medical treatment includes antibiotics, supplementation with probiotics can help to replace good bacteria that may be wiped out during the process.
Probiotic powders may be mixed with natural yoghurt and vitamin E and inserted into the vagina.
Introducing fermented foods into the diets such as kefir, natural yoghurt and sauerkraut are other ways to optimise levels of beneficial microbes.
Zinc
Zinc is a key mineral to support the immune system if there is an infection present. The antimicrobial properties of zinc are broad spectrum to include action against chlamydia trachomatis and Candida Albicans.
The deficiency of zinc is associated with an increased risk of infection. Interestingly, a study found that women with PID were significantly lower in zinc when compared to healthy controls.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A, or its precursor, beta-carotene are important nutrients to consider in PID. They are crucial for a healthy immune system to fight off infection, reduce oxidative damage and repair tissue damage. Maintaining the health of mucous membranes, such as those found in the female reproductive tract is an important regulatory function of vitamin A.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps to enhance the immune system’s defence against the invading organisms implicated in PID. This important vitamin acts as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant—helping to decrease tissue destruction and promote repair.
Garlic
Given the infectious nature of PID, garlic may be helpful as a natural broad-spectrum antibiotic. Although no current studies have assessed its use in PID, garlic has displayed antimicrobial activity against a wide range of other infectious organisms including staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus viridans and Candida Albicans.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal is a native American herb with immune-stimulant properties. It contains an alkaloid called berberine which has been found to exhibit antimicrobial activity against a wide range of micro-organisms, including Chlamydia. In herbal medicine, goldenseal is classified as a mucous membrane tonic which may help to restore health to the mucus-producing cells that line the female reproductive tract.
Calendula
Also known as marigold, calendula can aid in reducing inflammation, repairing tissue damage and providing anti-microbial support. It may be of particular value in PID to restore healthy immune function and repair reproductive tissue.
Other herbs which may be helpful in PID include:
- Turmeric to reduce pain and inflammation
- Corydalis to provide pain relief
- Echinacea to fight infection and support the immune system
- Thyme and oregano to help fight infection
Nutritional medicine
Following the principles of an anti-inflammatory diet may be helpful in providing the body with the nutrients it needs to reduce inflammation, fight infection and promote tissue repair. Here are some simple changes you can make to improve the quality of your diet.
- Avoid refined carbohydrates (white bread, pasta, packaged food etc) and sugar
- Drink 8 glasses of filtered water daily
- Eat healthy protein sources from beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, eggs, lean meat and fish
- Eat large serves of vegetables with every meal
- Aim for 2-3 pieces of fresh fruit daily
- Eat foods rich in essential fatty acids such as fresh fish, seafood, flaxseeds, walnuts and chia seeds
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