If you’ve been through a rigorous treatment for infections, you must have considered the suitability of Yoruba herbs for PID, especially if you have issues swallowing pills. Infections can be difficult to get rid of and sometimes, they persist, even after you have completed your dosage. Due to the believe among traditionalists that herbs are more effective in combating most sicknesses than tablets, the idea od using Yoruba herbs for PID arose.
PID – Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – is a condition that is peculiar to women. It is a serious condition that is caused by bacterial infection of the reproductive organs, leading to pain, discharge, and if left untreated, complicated pregnancies as in ectopic pregnancy and infertility. The introduction of bacteria into the internal reproductive organs can happen through many means, one of them being unprotected sex, especially with multiple partners.
In this article, we will not only help you with Yoruba herbs for PID as treatment options, you will also get to understand what pelvic inflammatory disease is and how it can affect you. You will get to know the risk factors, that is, those who have a higher chance of having it and its effect on their reproductive life.
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What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, PID, is an infection that affects the reproductive organs of a woman. As the name suggests, it is a disease that is usually limited to the pelvic region, where the female reproductive organs are located. This disease spreads from the outer environment of the woman’s body, gains entry into the internal environment, through the vagina opening, and spreads to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
Although the bigger percentage of PID patients get this infection through unprotected sex, about 15% of them also get this infection through other activities such as douching, thereby pushing the bacteria of the vagina into the internal environment, causing infection in other reproductive organs.
PID causes a lot of problems, making it one of the dreaded reproductive issues women deal with. Once it is in the reproductive organs, it throws off the production of reproductive hormones, making conception difficult. However, if conception takes place, it is almost impossible to carry the pregnancy to term. In other cases, the pregnancy may be an ectopic pregnancy.
Also, once an infection has occurred, it causes pain and can damage the reproductive organs, making pregnancy difficult, even after treatment. There is also the possibility of having a pocket of infection left behind after treatment – tubo ovarian abscess – which may cause issues in the future.
Causes of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
PID is caused by bacteria that is introduced into the internal reproductive environment through unprotected sex and other activities that push the vaginal bacteria further than it should go into the vagina.
Normally, bacteria in the vagina does not gain access to the internal reproductive organs like the uterus except there is a problem with the cervix. However, the presence of vaginal bacteria on the cervix may cause it to become weakened over time, especially if the number of bacteria is above normal. At this point, the cervix cannot hold back the bacteria load any longer, giving access to the internal reproductive organs. Other infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia also increase the chances that the cervix will allow bacteria through it. They are also responsible for the largest part of PID when left untreated.
Risk Factors of PID
Even though there are bacteria in the vagina, they do not usually pose threat to the internal reproductive organs except they get to them. They can only get to them through one of the following ways.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
- Unprotected sex with multiple partners or a partner with multiple sexual partners
- Abortion
- Childbirth
- Use of Intrauterine device (IUD)
Symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
The symptoms of PID can be mild or severe. They may come on suddenly and resemble symptoms that you are familiar with as it may feel like you’re ovulating or even approaching your menstruation. However, there are tell-tale signs that will convince you its not a normal monthly cycle sign. They include:
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Burning feeling while passing urine
- Pain during sex
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Vaginal discharge with unusual color and odor
Diagnosis of PID
Sometimes, the symptoms presented by PID is not enough to make a conclusion on. Therefore, there might be need for further tests and diagnosis to ascertain that what you really have is pelvic inflammatory disease a it might also be bacterial vaginosis. Some of the tests you will be required to take include:
Pelvic Examination
This test will focus on your reproductive organs such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus, to seek signs of infection. Sometimes a laparoscopy may be necessary for this to happen.
Vaginal Culture
Your doctor may require a sample from your vagina to determine the type and abundance of bacteria in your vagina. A swab from the inner part of your vagina will be tested in the laboratory to determine this.
Blood tests
Sometimes, the clue is in your blood and all the doctor needs is to see the level of bacterial toxins in your blood to determine just how much bacteria you have residing in your reproductive system.
Urine tests
The urine tests are to determine the population of bacteria in your urinal tract. It helps to determine if you have a urinary tract infection that may be the cause of your pelvic inflammatory disease.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is an image testing technique that helps to give a clearer picture of what is happening in the internal environment. This test for PID will produce a clear image of your reproductive system and expose the infections that may be there.
Culdocentesis
Although not common, this test procedure involves the extraction of fluid from the vagina for testing.
Endometrial biopsy
This procedure will remove a sample tissue from the endometrium – the uterus lining – and test if for infection.
Treatment of PID
It is important that pelvic inflammatory disease be treated as soon as possible as it can cause damage to the reproductive organs, leading to infertility and complicated pregnancies. The common treatment for PID includes:
Antibiotics
After undergoing tests, your doctor will determine the right antibiotics to administer. Usually, you will use the antibiotics for days and return to the hospital for further tests, to determine the extent to which the bacterial population has reduced and how your reproductive organs are recuperating and healing from the damage.
It is important that you complete your dosage as you may begin to feel better before the end of your dosage. A stop in your medication will see the bacteria multiply and become resistant to that antibiotic.
Temporary Abstinence
During the course of your treatment, it is important that you abstain from sexual intercourse. Also, if your partner is yet to receive treatment for infections, it is advisable that you do not engage in sex, even after you have completed your treatment.
Treatment for Partners
Since PID is mostly transmitted through sexual intercourse, it is advisable that after treatment, you should not engage in sexual intercourse with a partner that hasn’t been treated for STI. You are at a risk of getting the disease again if you are exposed to STIs again.
It might also be necessary that all sexual partners receive treatment, if your safety is important to you.
Yoruba Herbs for PID
As effective as antibiotics are, there are Yoruba herbs for PID that also possess antibacterial properties and are effective in reducing the population of bacteria causing damage to your reproductive organs. These herbs contain phytochemicals and have been researched and proven to be effective against certain microbes such as bacteria, making them suitable for the treatment of PID. They include:
Anacadium occidentale (Cashew leaves)
Cashew leaves are commonly used to prepare herbal concoctions. They are usually boiled and the extracts drunk. The extract from the leaves and stem of the plant have antibacterial properties that may be useful in treating PID.
Zingiber officinale (Jinja)
Ginger is a common plant in the world. It can be combined with other herbs to help fight bacterial infections. Its useful part is the root tuber that can also be used as part of dishes.
Petiveria alliacea (Arunyanyan)
This plant’s leaves and roots are effective against the growth of bacteria. They are known and proven to have antibacterial properties and can be found in any local herbal store in the south western part of Nigeria.
Carica Papaya (Ibepe)
Pawpaw is a commonly consumed fruit in Nigeria. However, another part of the plant that is useful is its leaves. Those who are familiar with herbal medication know of its effectiveness in treating malaria. However, not many know the antibacterial property of its roots and leaves.
Olax subscorpioidea (Ifon)
Ifon is an effective medication against many venereal diseases and sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and syphilis. Its stem contains phytochemicals that exert antibacterial properties against a wide range of bacteria. Therefore, for PID caused by untreated STI such as gonorrhea, it is an effective treatment option.
Each of these Yoruba herbs for PID is effective in reducing the population of bacteria in the body and has been proven to be safe for human consumption. While some of them are quite common, others are not and they may require some searching before they are found. However, inform your doctor before you use any herbal medication and avoid combining them with your tablets.
Conclusion
Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases are a source of major concern and threat to the fertility and health of a woman. They affect the internal reproductive organs such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, making pregnancy difficult.
Diagnosis and tests are important as they bear symptoms similar to other conditions that may be considered normal in a woman. However, its treatment involves the use of antibiotics. The antibacterial properties of the medication are also present in many Yoruba herbs for PID.