Incomplete Treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Leads to Pelvic Adhesions and Secondary Infertility - Try Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment

Many females may have had such an experience: they suffered from pelvic inflammatory disease and took some medication, and their symptoms seemed to have improved. But later, they found that their stomach kept aching intermittently, their menstrual cycle was irregular, and they even had difficulty getting pregnant after trying for a long time. After an examination, the doctor diagnosed it as “pelvic adhesions” and “secondary infertility” - these are often the "after effects" left by the incomplete treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease. 

Western medicine often recommends surgical separation of adhesions, but there is still a risk of recurrence after the surgery. At this point, the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) come into play. Not only does TCM “unblock”, but it also focuses more on “adjusting”. It improves the pelvic environment from the root cause and allows the body to restore its functions on its own. Today, let's talk about how traditional Chinese medicine addresses this issue.

I. How Does TCM View “Pelvic Adhesions + Infertility”? 

From the perspective of TCM, this condition falls under the categories of female abdominal pain, infertility, and masses in the abdomen (meaning there are lumps in the abdominal cavity). The core pathogenesis involves: unclean damp-heat, stagnation of qi and blood stasis, and deficiency of vital energy. 

- If the acute stage is not properly treated: The damp-heat pathogen remains in the pelvic cavity. Over time, it combines with blood, forming blood stasis.

- In the chronic stage, the flow of qi and blood is blocked: The blood stasis blocks the meridians, causing adhesions and blockages in the fallopian tubes.

- Chronic illness harms the body's vital energy: Long-term inflammation depletes the body, leading to spleen deficiency, kidney deficiency, imbalance of the uterine meridians, and affecting conception. 

Therefore, treatment cannot merely focus on “unblock”; it must also combine “detoxifying”, “regulating”, and “tonifying” to achieve a comprehensive approach.

II. How Does TCM Treat Diseases: Through Syndrome Differentiation and Prescribing Medications Based on Symptoms

In TCM, the principle is “one prescription for each person”. The prescription is tailored based on your individual constitution and symptoms. There are several common types: 

1. Damp Heat Stagnation Type

- Manifestations: Lower abdominal distending pain, yellow and thick vaginal discharge, aggravated abdominal pain during menstruation, red tongue with yellow and greasy coating.

- Treatment Method: Clear heat and promote diuresis, dissolve blood stasis and unblock meridians.

- Commonly Used Medicines: Yin Jia Wan, Si Miao Wan modified, combined with caulis sargentodoxae, herba patriniae, etc. for clearing heat and detoxifying.

2. Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Type

- Manifestations: Piercing pain in the lower abdomen, clots in menstrual blood, pain alleviated after the clot is removed, aggravated by emotional fluctuations.

- Treatment Method: Activate blood circulation and dissolve blood stasis, regulate qi and unblock meridians.

- Commonly Used Formula: Shafu Zhuyu Tang or Gexia Zhuyu Tang, combined with rhizoma sparganii and curcuma zedoary to disperse blood stasis and resolve nodules.

3. Cold Dampness Stagnation Type

- Manifestations: Cold pain in the lower abdomen, cold sensitivity, relieved by heat, clear and thin vaginal discharge, delayed menstruation.

- Treatment Method: Warm meridians and dispel cold, remove dampness and dissolve blood stasis.

- Commonly Used Formula: Sha Fu Zhu Yu Tang combined with Wen Jing Tang, added artemisia, fennel to warm yang.

4. Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis Type (Most common in those with long-term illness and weak constitution)

- Manifestations: Hidden pain in the lower abdomen, fatigue and weakness, scanty and pale menstrual blood, pale tongue with dark spots and blood stasis.

- Treatment Method: Tonify qi and strengthen spleen, dissolve blood stasis and unblock meridians.

- Commonly Used Formula: Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang and Li Chong Tang, with astragalus to tonify qi, Chinese angelicai, rhizoma chuanxiong to activate blood circulation.

III. Taking Medicine is Not Enough: Complementary External Treatments 

In TCM treatment, the principle of “combining internal and external remedies” is emphasized. Simply taking medicine alone may not yield quick results; however, when combined with external treatments, the effects are faster and more stable. 

- Chinese herbal enema: Prepare a strong decoction of herbs with heat-clearing, detoxifying, and blood-activating properties. Take it as an enema before going to bed. The medicine is absorbed through the rectum and directly acts on the pelvic area, which can soften adhesions and promote the absorption of inflammation. Many patients have significant improvements after persisting for one month.

- Chinese herbal hot pack: Put ingredients like folium artemisiae argyi, small fennel, cassia twig and safflower into a cloth bag, heat it in a microwave oven, and apply it to the lower abdomen. Do this for 15-20 minutes each day. The combination of heat and medicinal power can warm and unblock the meridians, making it particularly suitable for those who are cold-sensitive or have a cold lower abdomen.

- Acupuncture + physiotherapy: Acupuncture at the acupoints of san yin jiao, guan yuan, qi hai, and zhong ji can unblock the meridians and regulate endocrine functions. Combined with moxibustion, it can also warm and supplement the yang qi, improving uterine coldness.

- Ear acupressure bean application: Place Cowherb seed on the acupoints of endocrine, pelvic cavity, and Shen men on the ears. Press them every day to help regulate hormones and relieve anxiety.

IV. It is Necessary to Improve Your Health to Have a Successful Pregnancy 

For many women, the issue they are most concerned about is not abdominal pain, but “why can't I get pregnant”? According to traditional Chinese medicine, tubal adhesion is just a symptom, while the real root cause lies in the poor pelvic environment, disharmony of qi and blood, and lack of nourishment to the collaterals and governor vessels. It's like farming - if the soil is not good, even the best seeds won't grow into crops. 

Therefore, when treating infertility, traditional Chinese medicine places greater emphasis on “balancing the body constitution”: 

- Tonify qi and blood: Consume more foods such as mountain yam, red dates, goji berries, and black beans. Avoid eating raw, cold, and cooling foods.

- Strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness: Cook porridge with Coix seed and poria cocos to help eliminate body dampness.

- Regulate liver and promote qi circulation: Keep a calm mood. Avoid being angry or anxious for long periods. When liver qi is unobstructed, qi and blood can flow smoothly.

- Engage in moderate exercise: Take a walk every day, practice the Baduanjin or yoga to promote blood circulation in the pelvic area. 

V. Important Reminder: 

1. Don't Believe in “Folk Remedies”: Some people online claim that "drinking a certain herbal medicine can unclog the fallopian tubes". Don't be easily deceived. Everyone's constitution is different, and using the wrong medicine may make the situation worse.

2. Don't Rush for IVF: Many patients with mild to moderate adhesions have a good chance of natural pregnancy through traditional Chinese medicine treatment. Don't rush to resort to assisted reproduction.

3. Persist in Treatment: Herbal therapy is a "slow process". Generally, it should last for at least 3-6 months. Don't give up just because you haven't conceived after one month of treatment.

4. Regular Check-ups: You can have a B-ultrasound or tubal angiography to see if the adhesions have improved and adjust the treatment plan in time.

VI. Summary: TCM Treats “people”, Not “Diseases” 

Pelvic adhesions and secondary infertility seem to be organic problems, but according to traditional Chinese medicine, they are the result of overall imbalance of qi and blood. Through syndrome-based medication, external treatment combined with lifestyle adjustments, many patients not only experienced reduced pain and normal menstruation, but ultimately succeeded in getting pregnant. 

The wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine is not about “fixing the blockages wherever they are”, but rather about balancing the “environment” of the entire body, ensuring smooth circulation of qi and blood and sufficient positive energy. In this way, naturally, “seeds will take root and sprout”. 

So, if you suffer from infertility due to post-pelvic inflammatory disease, don't lose heart or give up easily. Find the right approach and keep on with the treatment. Hope will always be there.