• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Fertility Topics
  • Fertility Therapies
  • Hormone Health
  • Nutrition
  • Success Stories
  • PROGRAMS
  • ARTICLES
Natural Fertility Info.com
  • Shop Products
  • PROGRAMS
  • ARTICLES
Natural Fertility Info.com

Natural Fertility Info.com

Natural Fertility tips, information, herbs, supplements and more

  • Shop Products

Fertility Nutrition

Understanding the Fertility Health Impact of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Sarah Abernathy - Certified Herbalist
July 18, 2021
Reviewed by Christine Traxler, MD

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 STIs 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 abscesses in the fallopian tubes or ovaries. Symptoms of PID you can look for are:

  • abdominal pain
  • pain during intercourse
  • fever (>100.4)
  • irregular period or mid cycle bleeding
  • painful urination
  • vaginal discharge with odor

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 a 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.

References

  • PID. (2017). Medicine Net. Retrieved from: http://www.medicinenet.com/pelvic_inflammatory_disease/article.htm
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). (2017, July 10). Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – CDC Fact Sheet. (2017, January 27). Retrieved from: 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.

« Previous Post
October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month
Next Post »
Fertility Health Q&A: Essential Oils and Hormonal Balance

About the Author

Sarah Abernathy - Certified Herbalist

Sarah Abernathy - Certified Herbalist

Sarah has worked in the field of natural foods and herbalism for over 20 years. She's the Co-Author of "Healthy Healing" with over 1 million copies sold, a Certified Herbalist, and a health and wellness consultant. Sarah Graduated from the Professional Herbal Studies program at East West School of Herbology, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from St. Mary's College. 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.

5 Steps To Improve Your Fertility Naturally

  • Learn the 5 different areas to focus on for optimal fertility health
  • Learn how to support hormonal health with herbs and essential oils
  • Tips on transitioning to a whole food fertility diet.
  • Self-care therapies to support your reproductive health

@NaturalFertilityInfo

naturalfertilityinfo

View

May 17

Open
Can added sugars in our diets affect hormonal health and fertility? Here are the details and the effects sugary foods can have on hormonal and reproductive health... 
​
​What's your biggest hurdle when it comes to sugar?

naturalfertilityinfo

View

May 12

Open
Diana’s story is one of true heartbreak after years of struggle, but with a glorious golden light at the end of the tunnel. Here is her truly inspiring fertility journey…
​
​​​​​
​**While testimonials are real life experiences of those who have used our products, results do vary. We do not claim that they are typical results that consumers will generally achieve. The testimonials are not necessarily representative of all of those who will use our products and/or services.

naturalfertilityinfo

View

May 6

Open
Q: I am on birth control, can I start supporting my hormonal health with herbs and supplements or do I need to be off of birth control to start?
​
​Swipe through the slides to see what our answer is...

naturalfertilityinfo

View

May 4

Open
Have you been waiting to begin making healthy lifestyle changes to support your fertility health? Do you feel overwhelmed about where to begin?
​
​What has been holding you back?

naturalfertilityinfo

View

May 2

Open
Girls, we all have one. Here are some ways to encourage health and balance, naturally...
​
​For the full guide, click the link in our Bio.
​

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Apr 27

Open
Jennifer experienced multiple miscarriages before finding our website. She became inspired by our success stories and was determined to become one too! Read more about her journey... 
​
​
​​​​**While testimonials are real life experiences of those who have used our products, results do vary. We do not claim that they are typical results that consumers will generally achieve. The testimonials are not necessarily representative of all of those who will use our products and/or services.

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Apr 25

Open
Q: When should someone consider having testing done?
​
​Swipe through the slides to see what our answer is...

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Apr 21

Open
To make an impact on your health, you will need to first learn the actions and steps to take... then you will need to be consistent with those actions. It is the consistency that brings you the results. You are going to be human and not be perfect 100% of the time. Just accept that and get back to it. Consistency, day in and out, is more important than being perfect. You can't be 100% perfect for long, but you can be consistent every day.

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Apr 19

Open
If you’ve undergone many consecutive fertility treatments without a successful pregnancy, it could be time for a break. Taking a break gives your body a chance to cleanse, reset and recover. Relief from the side effects and stress could be exactly what you need for a fresh start for your fertility journey.

Use the time to work on yourself- mind and body. A break might even give you the opportunity to find a new sense of peace or a new version of your fertility program.
​
Learn more about natural therapies you can use to help your body reset after medical fertility treatments...

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Apr 13

Open
After 6 unsuccessful IUIs and one IVF of the same result, Angela takes a break and discovers the Natural Fertility Company. Using our resources to help her implement some changes, she has a much different result on her next IVF at 43. Click through the slides to read her story...

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Apr 11

Open
Q: My partner smokes, will this affect his fertility?
​
​Swipe through the slides to see what our answer is...

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Apr 6

Open
I have KMF imprinted on many of my personal belongings as a constant reminder to Keep Moving Forward. This started to be my mantra about 20 years ago when I was in a tough patch and knew the only way was through, and step by step. Keep moving forward. What is the next step, shuffle or even pause that may need to happen? Whatever it is, move towards it, into it, and forward.

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Apr 4

Open
With so many chemicals and outside factors contributing to estrogen dominance in the body, it is good to help support hormonal balance and one way to do that is through foods.
​
​Here are some tips, including foods that help to promote the body's natural ability to get rid of excess estrogens. ..
​
​Are you getting any of these foods in your weekly diet?

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Apr 1

Open
Trish conceives her second child with natural therapies at 37. Swipe through to read her story... 
​
​​​**While testimonials are real life experiences of those who have used our products, results do vary. We do not claim that they are typical results that consumers will generally achieve. The testimonials are not necessarily representative of all of those who will use our products and/or services.

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Mar 30

Open
Q: I have heavy periods, should I be concerned about using tampons?
​
​Swipe through the slides to see what our answer is...

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Mar 28

Open
I knew what my life's calling was at a very young age. At around 16, I had a dream where a dreadlocked rasta man came to me (Burning Spears to be exact) and in that dream was told that I was to be a healer. It was the type of dream that was more real than reality. The next day I woke up feeling different than I had ever felt before. Later on that day, we had new neighbors move into the house above us and a woman came and introduced herself. When I opened the door, she said her name and told me she was opening up a school of healing and that I was to be one of her students. It was one of the most intense series of events in my life. I went on to go to her school and my path started with an amazing community and so much support. What are one of the most life changing experiences you have had? I would love to hear...

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Mar 24

Open
Stress can be one of the primary factors behind infertility. Believe it or not, our bodies are equipped to prevent conception from occurring during times of extreme stress. The presence of adrenaline, the hormone that is released by our bodies during stressful times, signals to our body that conditions are not ideal for conception. Adrenaline inhibits us from utilizing the hormone progesterone, which is essential for fertility. It also causes the pituitary gland to release higher levels of prolactin, which also causes infertility to occur.
​
​Swipe left for ways to reduce the effect of stress on your fertility...

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Mar 21

Open
At 39, Milissa focuses on natural ways to prevent another miscarriage & goes on to conceive. Swipe through the slides to read more about her journey... 
​
​
​**​​While testimonials are real life experiences of those who have used our products, results do vary. We do not claim that they are typical results that consumers will generally achieve. The testimonials are not necessarily representative of all of those who will use our products and/or services.

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Mar 17

Open
​We come into contact with xenohormones on a daily basis. Once you know where and what they are, you can avoid them or not use products that contain them. There has been extensive research on the connection between xenohormones and hormone disruption, which leads us to fertility issues and imbalances. Swipe through the slides to see what our answer is...
​
​If you would like support in getting started with your Ditch and Switch, download my free guide on how to get started. The link is in our Bio.

naturalfertilityinfo

View

Mar 14

Open
You are strong enough. Life can get hard sometimes, but we are stronger through it all. You can figure this out. You know your body. Trust yourself. You are worthy of health, you are worthy of motherhood. You are worthy of having your own opinion. Listen to your gut. You've got this.
Load More...

Footer

  • Programs
  • Upcoming Classes

  • Consultations
  • Contact Us