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reproductive system
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Integrative Therapies
Home Care
Pelvic inflammatory disease, or P.I.D., is a general term for an infection that affects the female reproductive system including the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, or vagina. The infection is usually caused by gonorrhea or other bacteria, or viruses. Problems with an IUD can also be the cause. Symptoms include pelvic pain, severe menstrual cramps, pain during sex, spotting blood between menstrual periods, heavy periods with large clots, and sharp pains during ovulation.
Suspected cases of pelvic inflammatory disease should be checked by your physician, since when severe it could cause sterility. If you have an IUD, it should be checked also.
THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS ARE USED FOR P.I.D., AND YOU CAN TAKE THEM UNTIL SYMPTOMS IMPROVE:
1. Vitamin C 500 to 1,000 milligrams every 2 hours. If diarrhea develops, decrease the number of dosages. Use this amount for 10 days then decrease to 1,000 milligrams 3 to 4 times a day.
2. Beta-carotene 200,000 Units per day for 1 month. Then reduce to 150,000 Units per day. Pregnant women (or women who may become pregnant) should not take more than 15,000 Units of beta-carotene a day.
3. Zinc 50 milligrams, 2 times a day for 1 month. After a month, decrease to 15 milligrams per day.
4. Thymus extract 500 milligrams, 2 times a day to further support the immune system.
ABOUT THE DIET:
Sugar (such as in candy, pastries, and pop) needs to be eliminated from the diet or kept to a minimum because sugar slows down the immune system and delays healing.
Drink a minimum of 8 to 10 cups of fluids in the form of vegetable juices, diluted fruit juices, soups, and herbal teas.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol, or at least greatly decrease their consumption.
HERBS USED FOR P.I.D.:
Echinacea Root tea 2 to 4 cups daily for a week. Simmer 1 ounce of the root in a quart of boiling water for 15 minutes and steep for 20 minutes. After symp-toms improve, reduce to 1 to 2 cups per day. If you use a tincture of the root, which is a liquid herbal extract, take 50 drops 5 times per day until symptoms subside. Then reduce to 3 times per day for a few more weeks.
Golden Seal Take 2 capsules every 2 hours for 10 days, then reduce to 2 capsules 4 times a day.
Licorice Used as a tea, prepare the same way as Echinacea Root. Drink 3 cups per day. As a tincture, take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day.
An effective herbal vaginal douche can be made of the following herbs: 1/2 ounce Golden Seal powder, 1/2 ounce Echinacea powder, and 1 ounce each of Yarrow and Calendula flowers. Add 2 tablespoons of the herbal mixture to 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 20 minutes. Use as a douche once a day.
PHYSICAL THERAPY MEASURES FOR P.I.D. ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Castor oil pack Moisten a thin cotton cloth with castor oil and place on your lower abdomen. Cover with a plastic bag and then a dry cloth. Leave in place and rest for an hour.
Alternate cold and hot sitz baths. Sit in a hot bathtub for 5 minutes then stand up and pour cold water over the pelvic area for 30 seconds. Repeat this procedure 3 times.
HOMEOPATHY:
From the following homeopathic medicines choose the one that best matches your symptoms. Dissolve 3 pellets under the tongue 3 times a day for 10 days between meals.
Apis 12c: For stinging with a swelling sensation of the abdomen.
Colocynth 12c: If there is abdominal pain that is relieved with warmth and pressure.
ADDITIONAL MEASURES FOR TREATING P.I.D. ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Avoid constipation. Eat plenty of fiber foods and drink at least 8 cups of fluids per day. If you need further information, refer to the article on constipation.
Get adequate rest at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night. Take naps as needed.
Avoid sexual intercourse for at least 2 weeks or more to give the infection time to clear.
Do not resume intercourse until you and your healthcare practitioner are certain that the infection is gone.
Clinic
Footnotes
BarShalom R, Soileau J. (eds.) Natural Health Hotline. Beaverton, OR: Integrative Medical Arts, 1991-1999.