Updated: 10/2/23
Are you looking for ways to manage and improve your pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) symptoms? Look no further! This comprehensive guide offers a detailed look at the causes, effects, and relief of PID. From learning how various factors such as age, reproductive health history, lifestyle choices can impact PID development to understanding why it’s so important to seek medical treatment immediately if you experience any concerning symptoms—we have all the information you need! Keep reading to better understand this condition and learn tips on how you can get relief from your PID symptoms more quickly.
What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs when bacteria from the vagina infects other organs in the female reproductive system. It can effect parts of the body including the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes. Most cases of PID result from untreated STDs, specifically chlamydia and gonorrhea. However, other bacteria that is not transmitted sexually might cause PID.
Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause symptoms like pain in the pelvic area and painful sexual intercourse. However, sometimes people don’t even realize they have it. The problem with untreated PID is that it can lead to scarring in the fallopian tubes, which increases the chances of infertility. In fact, 12-13 percent of women who’ve had PID have a hard time getting pregnant. The chances of having a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy also goes up.
Luckily, rates of PID are going down. This may be due to more awareness, people seeking treatment earlier and better treatment options. In addition, the diseases that cause PID are largely preventable.
PID Symptoms
Many women with PID don’t notice any symptoms. However, the common symptoms include:
- Pain in the lower or upper abdomen
- Pain during sex or urination
- Fever
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Extreme fatigue that may be accompanied by fainting
- Irregular menstrual cycles and/or heavy periods
- Vomiting
What Does Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Feel Like?
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is a condition that requires immediate medical attention once identified. Women with PID may experience a range of symptoms like pelvic pain, unusual discharge, irregular menstruation, fever and chills, and pain during intercourse. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor and get a proper diagnosis. It’s essential to take care of your reproductive health and get regular check-ups to prevent infections like PID from developing.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in Male
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a bacterial infection that affects the lower genital tract including the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and pelvis lining. But in men, PID is a general term that refers to the infection or inflammation of the prostate gland, epididymis (a tubular structure that transports semen from the testicles to the urethra), and seminal vesicles. PID typically occurs due to the spread of sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. However, other bacterial infections, including those caused by urinary tract infections, can also cause PID in men.
How Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is Diagnosed
Sometimes PID can be hard to diagnose. Symptoms can be vague and be mistaken for other conditions like endometriosis or appendicitis.
However, if a woman complains of pelvic pain and other causes are ruled out, PID may be suspected. Doctors usually ask about the patient’s sexual history and perform a pelvic exam. Other tests to confirm PID include:
- Tests to determine the presence of infections in the cervix
- Urine exams to check for blood and bacteria
- Pelvic ultrasound to provide images of the internal organs in the pelvic area
- Biopsy, which involves taking small tissue samples from the uterus
- Laparoscopy
Once the diagnosis of PID is confirmed, the healthcare provider will prescribe a course of antibiotics to treat the infection. It’s crucial to complete the full course of antibiotics, even if you start feeling better before the treatment ends. In addition, you should avoid sexual activity until the infection is fully resolved to prevent reinfection. Your healthcare provider may recommend retesting after treatment to ensure that the infection is completely gone.
Causes of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Certain types of bacteria in the vagina can cause PID. Up to one half of cases result from an infection of the bacteria C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae. These cause chlamydia and gonorrhea, respectively. In addition, the sexually transmitted bacterium M. genitalium may cause PID about 15 percent of the time.
While PID is most often the result of an STD, this isn’t always the case. PID can also occur as a result of another condition called bacterial vaginosis (BV). An overgrowth of bacteria found normally in the vagina causes BV. When the pH of the vagina gets out of whack, even healthy bacteria can cause an infection. Sexual activity, douching and things like sprays or laundry detergents can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and allow certain strains to take over.
Risk Factors
Some factors increase the risk of contracting PID including:
- Being a female between the ages of 25 and 35
- Having unprotected sex
- History of vaginal bacterial infections
- Invasive Procedures
- Multiple sex partners
- Douching
- Using an intrauterine device (IUD)
- Childbirth
- Smoking, alcohol abuse, or drug use
What Treats Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
Antibiotics
Approximately 1.2 million women per year seek medical help for PID and the most common treatment is prescription antibiotics. Some of the antibiotics used for PID treatment include:
- Cephalosporin
- Doxycycline
- Clindamycin
- Azithromycin
- Cefotetan
- Gentamicin
- Ampicillin
PID treatment is often straightforward and does not require a hospital stay or additional care. However, women with a history of PID and those at higher risk for complications may require more extensive care, including a hospital stay.
The patient, as well as her male and/or female sexual partner(s), should be treated. In addition, all partners are usually advised to finish their treatment before engaging in any form of sex to prevent re-infection. If you or your sex partner is diagnosed with PID, both will have to be treated, regardless of whether or not you have symptoms.
At times, symptoms of infection may go away before the germs causing the infection fully clear from your body. However, it’s important to take the PID medication as prescribed, regardless of whether you feel better or not.
Pain Management
PID can cause a lot of pain, particularly during intercourse. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to help manage the pain. Heat therapy, such as using a heating pad or warm compress, can also be helpful.
In some cases, a numbing medication injected into the cervix to help reduce pain during a pelvic exam. It’s important to discuss any pain you are experiencing with your doctor, so they can help you find the best ways to manage it.
Rest and Self-care
In addition to taking antibiotics and managing pain, it’s important to rest and take care of yourself. Avoid strenuous exercise and sexual activity until your infection has cleared. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids and get enough restorative sleep.
Surgery
In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to treat PID. This is typically only done if you have an abscess that hasn’t responded to antibiotics or if you have a blocked or damaged fallopian tube. Surgery may be laparoscopic or involve a larger incision. Your doctor will determine the best treatment plan for you.
Prevention
Prevention is the best medicine. Luckily, taking certain precautions while engaging in sexual activity can help prevent PID in the first place, such as:
- Practice safe sex by using a condom every time, even if you use other forms of birth control
- Consider having a long-term, monogamous sexual partner
- If you’re sexually active and under the age of 25, get tested for STDs every year
- Don’t delay in seeing a doctor if you have any symptoms of a vaginal infection, whether you’re sexually active or not
Supplements for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
If you’ve received a diagnosis with PID or any other bacterial infection of the reproductive organs, it’s best to follow your doctor’s advice regarding medication. However, some natural remedies can compliment standard treatment. They can also support overall vaginal health, help prevent the overgrowth of pathogens, and reduce inflammation. Always speak to your doctor before using any supplements, especially if you have a diagnosed condition or take any medications.
Curcumin
Curcumin, the compound in turmeric that gives it a bright yellow color, has well-known anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties. As a result, some studies indicate that curcumin may help prevent or reduce the effects of infections of the female genital tract. As a dietary supplement, take curcumin extract powder in one dose of 1,000 mg or less per day, depending on intended effect. It needs to be consumed along with water or a meal.
Garlic
Research suggests that the antimicrobial compounds found in garlic supplements can be effective alternatives to antibiotics to address bacterial vaginosis, one cause of PID. Garlic extract can be taken in two daily servings of 650 mg and should be consumed with a meal.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help fight off infections and reduce inflammation. It also aids in collagen production, which is essential for the healing of inflamed tissue. Studies have shown that Vitamin C can help improve the success rate of antibiotics in treating PID. Additionally, taking high doses of Vitamin C can boost the immune system, which plays a crucial role in fighting off infections. You can take Vitamin C supplements as directed or consume foods rich in Vitamin C like citrus fruits, red bell peppers, and broccoli.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. They can reduce inflammation in the reproductive system and support overall reproductive health. Studies have shown that taking Omega-3 supplements can improve the symptoms of PID, including chronic pelvic pain. You can take Omega-3-6-9 supplements as directed or consume foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acids like fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts.
Probiotics
Cultures all over the world value fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, kombucha and sauerkraut for their probiotic content. They’re also very popular in supplement form. This is because probiotics help maintain or restore the balance between good and bad bacteria. They therefore help to boost immunity and fight infections. Studies show they also help prevent recurrent vaginal infections as well. Furthermore, probiotics may even restore the “good” bacteria following a course of prescription antibiotics. You may take probiotics also in supplement form. We carry an Organic Inulin Powder which is a probiotic.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in reproductive health. It’s necessary for the production of hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which regulate the menstrual cycle. Zinc is also important for the immune system, which can help fight off infections like PID. Studies have shown that women with PID have lower levels of zinc in their bodies than those without PID. Taking zinc supplements can help improve reproductive health and reduce inflammation. You can also consume zinc-rich foods like oysters, beef, and pumpkin seeds.
The Bottom Line
PID affects women and causes pain, infertility and other uncomfortable symptoms. It also increases the chance of a dangerous ectopic pregnancy. The condition is strongly associated with the STDs chlamydia and gonorrhea, but can also be caused by other types of bacteria. The treatment for PID involves the use of antibiotics. While antibiotics can cure the infection, they can’t reverse any scarring that may have occurred to the fallopian tubes.
Unfortunately, some women miss the opportunity for prompt treatment since they may not realize anything is wrong. Their condition may receive a misdiagnosis. There’s good news, though. By practicing safer sex and good hygiene, bacterial infections can keep to a minimum.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is a serious infection that can cause long-term complications. While antibiotics are the primary treatment for PID, supplements like Vitamin C, probiotics, zinc, turmeric, and Omega-3 fatty acids can also help manage the symptoms. These natural remedies can reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and support reproductive health. As always, talk to your doctor before taking any new supplements, especially if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. It’s important to use supplements responsibly and in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle to ensure optimal health.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease
