Conditions

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the internal female reproduction organs. It occurs when infectious organisms, usually bacteria or chlamydia, enter the uterus and spread to infect the fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding tissues.

PID is most common in sexually active women and women fitted with interuterine devices for contraception. It's often a complication of sexually transmitted diseases or miscarriages/abortions.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Fever and chills
• Bilateral lower abdominal pain and tenderness
• Cervical motion and adnexal tenderness
• Heavy, rank-smelling vaginal discharge
• Leukocytosis
• Elevated sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein
• Dysuria (urethritis)
• Abnormal menstrual bleeding
• Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting
• Proctitis (anorectal pain, discharge, or bleeding)
• Perihepatitis (Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome) and periappendicitis
• Sexual intercourse may be painful

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis involves a pelvic examination, during which your doctor will take a swab of material from inside the vagina. Laboratory analysis can identify the infectious agent, which in turn will guide your doctor in prescribing appropriate treatment. You doctor may also wish to view your interior organs with a laparoscope to see the extent of inflammation and other signs of infection.

Treatment Options:

Hospitalization is often considered with PID, especially if it is complicated by pregnancy, AIDS, a prepubertal patient, or other considerations. Outpatient therapy consists of bed rest, pelvic rest, analgesics, and antibiotics.

Traditional Treatments:

• Antibiotics are the mainstay of therapy for PID. If the infection is severe, these may have to be administered intravenously at a hospital.
• If abscesses are found within the internal reproductive organs, surgery may be required to remove them.
• If an acute pelvic infection causes severe pain, your doctor may prescribe narcotics to relieve the pain and bed rest during treatment.
• If you have blocked fallopian tubes or an abscess as a result of the infection, you may need surgery to open the tubes or drain the abscess.
• If you are sexually active, your partner or partners should be examined and, if necessary, treated as well. They may need treatment even if they are not having any symptoms at all.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies:

Nutrients and herbs may provide immune support and enhance overall health, and may be useful as adjunct treatment to decrease the risk of recurrence.

Nutritional Supplementation:

• PID places stress on the body. Take a good multivitamin and mineral complex daily, with meals.
• Digestive enzymes can provide more nutrients from the foods you eat to help rebuild damaged tissues. Take a full-spectrum digestive-enzyme supplement.
  Warning: Long-term supplementation with pancreatin is not advised, as it can cause your pancreas to reduce its own production of this important enzyme.
• Vitamin C helps the body fight infection and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Take 1,000mg of vitamin C three times daily.
• Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme that potentiates the action of antibiotics. Follow label directions.

Alternative Therapies:

• Butiao is a Chinese herbal remedy that is very effective in reducing excessive bleeding and menstrual pain.
• Carthamus and persica is a Chinese herbal combination that improves digestion and helps relax the lower abdominal cavity.
• Applying warm caster-oil packs can help to reduce inflammation.
• Echinacea and goldenseal are natural antibiotics that are especially useful if you have lingering symptoms after antibiotic therapy.
• If your symptoms are aggravated by poor digestion, take a cup of ginger root tea two or three times daily.
• Grapefruit-seed extract has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity.
• Nettle and yellow dock are herbs that are traditionally used to revitalize the blood.

General Recommendations:

• Follow your doctor's instructions regarding bed rest and activity restrictions.
• PID is a complicated and potentially serious problem that should not be self-diagnosed or self-treated. It is strongly recommended that you see a homeopathic practitioner for a constitutional remedy.
• Anytime you must take antibiotics, it is a good idea to try to keep high levels of beneficial bacteria present in the vagina. Moisten a tampon and sprinkle it with a powdered probiotic culture, then insert it and leave it in place over night.
• Avoid sexual intercourse until your treatment is over and the infection has cleared.

Warnings:

Long-term supplementation with pancreatin is not advised, as it can cause your pancreas to reduce its own production of this important enzyme.