6 Common Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's) and Herbal Remedies for Natural Treatment
Before I jump into sharing about some of the most commonly sexually transmitted infections, I want to start by saying...
There are not many spaces where women feel safe enough to talk about their STIs. Not without feeling damaged, shame, less-than, blame, fear and limited by their STI.
But truth is, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are extremely common, although still shrouded in shame and stigma. Even more promising, most of them are treatable, curable and of course preventable - whether you choose to take the medical or natural route.
What is an STI?
Sexually transmitted infections (STI, formerly known as a sexually transmitted disease, or STD) are diseases that spread primarily by sexual contact.
One person passes the infection to another during oral, vaginal or anal sex. STIs can be bacterial, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, or viral, including herpes, HIV, and HPV.
Transmission may involve body fluids like blood, saliva, semen, vaginal secretions or direct skin-to-skin contact. It's also possible for a mother to pass some STIs to her child in utero, during childbirth, or through breastfeeding.
Why is herbal treatment for STIs better than the standard medical treatment?
Most people treat STI's with antibiotics. The standard medical treatment that is chemical antibiotics are not favored (especially if you've already taken them a number of times) because they tend to weaken the immune system, and your defenses against other illnesses in addition to the one you are trying to treat.
Chemical antibiotics also effect your gut microbiome and can impair your gut health. And, for sure they increase your risk of developing yeast infections.
This is why it's best to use natural medicine such as herbs instead to treat your STI. The herbs in Anti-Microbial Support not only treat the infection but they boost your immune system helping your body to prevent future infection or outbreaks.
What are some common sexually transmitted infections?
1. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common curable bacterial STI, and it often occurs without symptoms in most women. A lot of women remain asymptomatic. Its presence reveals itself with an infected cervix, which is the opening to the uterus or womb. It can also infect the urethra in a penis.
When there are symptoms, they include a burning sensation when urinating, pain during sex and discharge from the vagina or penis. You can also contract chlamydia in your throat during oral sex. When not properly treated, chlamydia can do a lot of damage to your body in the long run. It can cause infertility by blocking the reproductive tract in women and men. Condoms can prevent the spread of this disease.
If you suspect that you may have contracted chlamydia, or if you're not sure of your symptoms, have a test done. It is an STI that can be treated with antibiotics, but I always like to offer my herbal alternative, Anti-Microbial Support.
2. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea, sometimes referred to as "the clap," is another common bacterial STI. It often infects the same organs as chlamydia and has similar long-term effects. If you have gonorrhea, you may experience a burning sensation when you urinate. It can also cause white, yellow, or green vaginal or penile discharge. It's important to know that many people, especially women, with gonorrhea don't have symptoms. Be aware, too, that gonorrhea can also infect your throat if you get it by having oral sex.
Gonorrhea can result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility and other complications if left untreated. Go get tested. Gonorrhea does not always go away when it's treated by antibiotics. There is a growing problem of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea, which means it no longer dies off with antibiotic drugs that used to kill it. For a better treatment, go purchase my herbal Anti-Microbial Support.
3. Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is the most common nonviral STI, this is a one-cell parasite organism. Its known to affect more women than men. Frequent recurrence of outbreaks usually happen after menstruation. This infection can seem like a yeast infection (fungal infection of the vagina and vulva) or bacterial vaginosis (BV, caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina) since the symptoms are similar. Symptoms include: strong vaginal odor, pain during sex, irritation, swelling and itching around the vagina and vulva, lots of yellow discharge, and small red dots on the vaginal walls and on the cervix.
As always, go get tested to determine if you are infected with trichomoniasis. If you have been diagnosed with this disease (or any one of these STIs) make sure your partner gets treated as well. If your partner remains untreated and you agree to continue having sex they can give the infection back to you.
4. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a viral infection that commonly causes skin or mucous membrane growths (warts). Infection occurs when the virus enters your body, usually through a cut, abrasion or small tear in your skin. The virus is transferred primarily by skin-to-skin contact. Genital HPV infections are contracted through sexual intercourse, anal sex and other skin-to-skin contact in the genital region. Some HPV infections that result in oral or upper respiratory lesions are contracted through oral sex.
There are more than 100 varieties of human papillomavirus (HPV). Some types of HPV infection cause warts, and some can cause different types of cancer. HPV is sometimes called "the cervical cancer virus," but only a few types of HPV can cause cancer.
Most HPV infections don't lead to cancer. But some types of genital HPV can cause cancer of the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina (cervix) when not treated properly. Contrary to popular belief HPV can be reversed with the proper herbs (Anti-Microbial Support) and lifestyle changes.
5. Herpes
Herpes (HSV) is an STI caused by a virus. The herpes simplex virus comes in two forms: HSV1 and HSV2. HSV1 is often associated with cold sores on the mouth and lips, and HSV2 is often associated with genital sores. The most common means of transmission is genital-to-genital contact. However, it is possible to pass herpes from the mouth to the genitals or hands to genitals, and vice versa.
Symptoms such as lesions can appear between 2 to 10 days after exposure, or more, accompanied a fever and flu-like symptoms. Some women may experience an outbreak instead of a flu, before or after menstruating, and when under stress. Herpes is a virus, which means it lives in your system and can reappear when your immune system is compromised by your external environment and lifestyle.
Herpes is another virus with claims that it can't be cured. Its symptoms can be treated with antiviral drugs if that's the route you want to take. If not, and you prefer a natural treatment, purchase Anti-Microbial Support for treatment and prevention. You can pass the virus to someone else even if you do not have any sores or other symptoms. Herpes can be spread by having sex, but it can also be passed through skin-to-skin contact.
6. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Some people question whether BV is an actual STI, but there is a link between BV and having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition in which the healthy bacteria in the vagina are replaced by different organisms. Symptoms include burning and itching around the vagina, white or gray discharge, and a strong fishy odor that is more noticeable after sex.
You can take antibiotics to get rid of BV, but it can show up again and plus antibiotic use come with more unwanted side-effects. Purchase the Yeast & BV Support Tincture or Anti-Microbial Support from the apothecary. Bacterial vaginosis can increase the risk of HIV, pelvic inflammatory disease, and preterm birth (babies born too early).
In Summary...
Though it's best for us to avoid medical treatments as often as we can when addressing STIs, your doctor's office or clinics do offer tests for the STI. When it comes to sti's some of their symptoms are very similar, and it's best to determine which STI you have before treating yourself with herbal remedies.
It's also a good idea to go for regular gynecological check-ups; if a problem is diagnosed, you can then decide not to treat it with chemical pills or creams and instead herbs. While current healthcare standards recommend a PAP every three years for women aged 21-45, if you experience any new symptoms that are not normal for you, a PAP exam should be considered. Pap tests ensure that all is well with your cervix, in an effort to prevent cervical cancer or other complications.
Also I feel like this should go without saying, but hey, you never know. When treating your STI make sure that your sex partner gets treated as well. If your partner remains untreated and you agree to continue having sex they can give the infection back to you. Take personal responsibilty for your own wellbeing, and use condoms.
Love and Health,
Shavonne