Could Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) be causing pelvic pain or a fertility challenge for you? PID affects women in droves. In the US, 1 million women are diagnosed with it every year. PID is commonly caused by untreated Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like gonorrhea or chlamydia. However, it can result from untreated, chronic Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), which is not sexually transmitted.
Other known risk factors for PID are:
- being between the ages of 15-24 and sexually active (the cervix is less developed in younger women, increasing susceptibility to bacteria).
- having multiple sexual partners or a partner with multiple partners.
- using the IUD. PID is more common in the first weeks after an IUD is inserted. To help avoid the risk, get tested for STI’s or BV before placing your IUD.
- frequent douching. Douching introduces bacteria from the vagina into the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
- having a history of PID.
- untreated Bacterial Vaginosis (BV).
If you’ve been affected or suspect PID, take steps to regain your health starting today. Alongside medical treatments, natural therapies can guide your body to a faster recovery, with a stronger immune system and the chance for healthy fertility.
The Fertility Impact of PID
As infection travels through the reproductive system unchecked, it affects the health of the endometrium, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Over time, inflammation and damage from PID leads to chronic pain and can cause fertility problems. About one in eight women with a history of PID have trouble becoming pregnant. PID is a common cause of blockage in the fallopian tubes. Ectopic pregnancies also result from complications due to PID.
Do You Have PID Symptoms?
Always seek medical attention for proper diagnosis of any unusual reproductive symptoms or pain. PID symptoms can mimic other issues like UTI, vaginal infection or ovarian cysts. Doctors will perform a medical examination to look for abscess in the fallopian tubes or ovaries. Symptoms of PID you can look for are:
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Natural Therapies Help Clear PID Toxins and Strengthen Immune Defenses
If you have PID, you need to eliminate the infection. To do this, start with medical treatment from your doctor. You may not have expected to read that, but you will likely need a course of one or more antibiotics. For complete treatment, use your medications exactly as prescribed. After the infection is eliminated, it is then that a follow-up natural fertility program using natural therapies to cleanse toxins, improve immune defenses and promote better circulation to the reproductive organs will be most effective.
1. Follow a Fertility Diet. A Fertility Diet can help your body heal and recover. Be sure to include: Fertility Smoothies; vegetable juices; superfoods like spirulina, wheatgrass or chlorella. Have a high-quality protein with each meal like organic poultry, legumes, beans, or a protein drink like FertiliWhey or Fertilica Plant Protein. Your body needs protein in order to heal.
- Include immune-boosting spices. Add the following to your diet: Garlic, onions, turmeric, oregano, and organic shiitake or maitake mushrooms. Have my Immune Tonic Soup a few times a week for extra support.
2. Consider antimicrobial herbs. Antimicrobial herbs like Olive Leaf Extract or Oregano oil are known to help the body clear toxins. Note: Over time, strong, antimicrobial herbs can deplete healthy microbiome. Use these herbs exactly as directed. Eat plenty of cultured foods like organic yogurt, kefir, kombucha, or use supplemental probiotics to help maintain the right GI/vaginal flora balance.
3. Learn about Systemic Enzyme Therapy. Systemic Enzyme Therapy can offer many benefits for your recovery process; they help clear toxins in the bloodstream, reduce inflammation, and help normalize scar tissue formation hopefully preventing future blockages (think fallopian tubes).
4. Encourage healthy Circulation. Once your recovery is underway, try to help encourage healthy circulation to the reproductive organs and manage minor cramping with:
- Self Fertility Massage
- Antispasmodic herbs like: Black haw (Viburnum prunifolium) and Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus) or a blend including these like Fertilica UteriCalm.
Don’t Ignore Symptoms. Get Checked. Get Treated.
Without exception, early medical treatment is your best chance for a complete recovery from PID without fertility complications. Don’t let embarrassment or discomfort hold you back from getting help if you’re concerned. Untreated infection anywhere in the body can be serious. Following medical treatment, natural therapies can be used to encourage a faster recovery with less pain and stress, while supporting your fertility.
- PID. (2017). Medicine Net. Retrieved from: http://www.medicinenet.com/pelvic_inflammatory_disease/article.htm
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Fact Sheet. (2017). CDC. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm and https://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid-detailed.htm
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Overview. (2017). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/home/ovc-20318609
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Cause. (2017). WebMD. Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/women/tc/pelvic-inflammatory-disease-cause
- Willett, E. (2017). How Sexually Transmitted Infections Impact Fertility, Pregnancy and a Baby’s Health. Natural Fertility Info. Retrieved from: http://natural-fertility-info.com/sexually-transmitted-infections.html
- Page, L. & Abernathy, S. (2011). Healthy Healing 14th Edition. California: Healthy Healing.
Sarah has worked in the field of natural foods and herbalism for over 20 years. She’s a published author, Certified Herbalist, and health and wellness consultant. Sarah Graduated from the Professional Herbal Studies from the East West School of Herbology, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English. Working with women on their journey to wellness is her passion and she loves to share what she has been blessed to learn from naturopaths and other herbalists over the years.
This article adds credence to the fact the infertility is caused by a variety of factors. Visiting a fertility clinic can reveal hidden conditions for medical treatment such as endometriosis, that can also cause pain.