WHAT IS PID
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of one or more of the upper reproductive organs, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which causes substantial medical, social, and financial issues, is the most significant STD consequence that affects women.
Since many women are either asymptomatic or exhibit unusual symptoms, the true prevalence of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is unknown.
PID is frequently challenging to identify, control, and prevent.
PID typically arises from untreated gonorrhea or chlamydia, in which the germs that caused the infection spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries.
However, diseases that are not transmitted sexually can also result in this health issue.
PID symptoms might range from none to mild depending on each individual instance.
Some women may not discover they have it until they have persistent pelvic discomfort or have trouble becoming pregnant, since they show no signs or symptoms at all.
Who has a higher risk of developing PID?
PID is more likely to affect certain people than others.
Risk factors may rise if you:
- Are a young, sexually active lady (under 25 years old)
- Have several sexual partners
- Have an STD that is untreated
- Have already had PID
- Have sex without the use of condoms
- Use an IUD as a means of birth control. But hazards are only more significant during the first three weeks after the IUD is inserted into the body.
Although many other bacterial species can cause PID, gonorrhea and chlamydia infections are the most frequent ones that do so.
The majority of the time, these germs are spread during unprotected intercourse.
Bacteria can enter a woman's reproductive system if the cervix's usual barrier is compromised, although this seldom happens. Menstruation, delivery, miscarriage, and abortion are a few instances where this is possible.
SYMPTOMS
Pelvic inflammatory disease might have subtle symptoms that make it challenging to diagnose.
Some women have no symptoms at all. When PID is present, the following are often seen:
- Abnormal spotting or bleeding during sexual intercourse or between menstrual cycles
- Varying degrees of moderate to severe pelvic and lower abdominal pain
- Fever, occasionally with chills
- A burning feeling when urinating
- Unusual and unpleasant vaginal discharge
- painful sexual intercourse.
Complications caused by PID
- Infertility. Infertility, or the inability to get pregnant, can result from injury to your reproductive organs. Your chance of infertility increases the more PID episodes you've experienced. Your risk of infertility greatly increases if you put off getting treatment for PID.
- Ovaries and fallopian tubes with abscesses. This condition, also known as a tubo-ovarian abscess, describes a buildup of pus in the reproductive system. The ovaries and fallopian tubes are where abscesses typically develop, however they can also develop in the uterus or other pelvic organs.
- Ectopic pregnancy. PID is a significant contributor to tubal (ectopic) pregnancy. Untreated PID can result in the fallopian tubes developing scar tissue, which can lead to an ectopic pregnancy. The fertilized egg is unable to pass through the fallopian tube and implant in the uterus because of the scar tissue. The egg instead grows inside the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancies can result in severe, sometimes fatal bleeding and need immediate medical care.
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Severe pelvic discomfort. PID can cause chronic pelvic discomfort that lasts for weeks, months, or even years. Pain during ovulation and sexual activity may be brought on by scars in the fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs.
PID TREATMENT
- It is best to start PID therapy as soon as possible. It should be mentioned that even obtaining therapy, the harm done to the reproductive organs cannot be reversed.
Natural Remedies for PID
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Probiotics
All parts of the body, including the female reproductive system, are colonized to varying degrees by helpful bacteria. - Healthy levels of Lactobacillus spp. are thought to help guard the region against opportunistic infections like Candida spp., as well as other viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
- Probiotics have been proven to be helpful in treating various reproductive problems, such as bacterial vaginosis and urogenital infections, despite the fact that no research has been explicitly conducted on probiotic supplementation and pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Given that most medical treatments involve the use of antibiotics, taking probiotic supplements can aid in replenishing any beneficial bacteria that may have been lost as a result of the use of antibiotics.
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Vitamin C
The immune system's defense against the invasive microbes linked to PID is strengthened by vitamin C. - This vital vitamin functions as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, reducing tissue breakdown and encouraging healing.
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Zinc
If there is an illness present, zinc is a crucial mineral to boost the immune system. - Zinc has a wide range of antibacterial characteristics, including activity against candida albicans and Chlamydia trachomatis.
- Increased risk of infection is linked to zinc deficiency. It's interesting to note that research discovered that women with PID had considerably lower zinc levels than healthy controls.
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Goldenseal Root
Native to North America, goldenseal has immune-boosting qualities. It includes Berberine, an alkaloid that has been shown to have antibacterial properties against a variety of microorganisms, including Chlamydia. - Goldenseal is a mucous membrane tonic in herbal medicine that may assist the mucus-producing cells that lining the female reproductive system regain their health.
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Garlic
Garlic may be beneficial as a natural broad-spectrum antibiotic given the infectious nature of PID.
Garlic has demonstrated antimicrobial action against a variety of different pathogenic species, including candida albicans, streptococcus viridans, and staphylococcus aureus, despite the fact that no research has yet evaluated its usage in PID.
NB: PID requires treatment from a qualified medical person and supplements alone cannot be enough to treat the causative bacteria.