Did your HPV test result come out positive or did you have an unusual pap test outcome? Being diagnosed with HPV can be scary, making you look for new information and there’s plenty of misinformation out there. The knowledge that the virus has no cure can be overwhelming, but you need to remember two important things if you are in this condition.
First, many HPV cases don’t result in a serious medical condition or symptoms. As a matter of fact, about 90% of HPV infections eventually disappear within two years, even the high-risk strains of the virus. The immune system eventually suppresses the virus until its undetectable. Second, the immune system can be improved naturally to help eliminate the virus. Even though these treatments are not the only step to take, consuming natural supplements puts your health at an advantage and makes sure you are not as vulnerable to the virus.
Before reviewing these natural supplements, talk with your doctor and consider the impact of your Pap or HPV test result on your health.
Your Pap test Result and its Meaning
An abnormal pap test result doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a tumor in your body. Rather, it means that some unusual cells are living in your cervix, which maynot be cancerous, but you may have HPV.
Furthermore, the abnormal result from your pap test implies that your physician needs to closely monitor how things might turn out. This usually requires additional tests, screenings, and so on. Depending on your unique results, procedures such as a LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure) or colposcopy would be suggested by your physician to discover more about your unusual cervical cells.
Pap tests are different from HPV tests. Even though these tests can be done simultaneously. The HPV test result will show whether the unusual cervical cells occurred as a result of an HPV infection. This will also inform you if you are infected with the high-risk strain of the virus that usually causes cervical cancer.
Possible HPV Treatment Side Effects
Your doctor would recommend procedures that can help with the unusual pap result, particularly when the cells have been severely impacted. However, some risks come along with these procedures. Since after a while, HPV infection might become undetected on its own, it is crucial to weigh all options before making a decision on the next line of action.
For instance, LEEP is a procedure that is used to eliminate tissues and cells through a hot wire loop. This procedure removes bad cells which enable new good cells to replace them. But this procedure can scar the wall of the cervix, thereby causing issues when trying to get pregnant. These are the options that should be considered when deciding on the next line of action.
Stress is another important issue when treating HPV. The feeling of handling a positive HPV infection can be overwhelming. The sad part is that stress can negatively affect the immune system and it makes it difficult for the immune system to fight the virus. So, the healthiest methods of treating HPV are to boost the immune system and limiting stress.
How to treat HPV naturally
If you are still considering the impact of specific treatments for your HPV infection, you might want to consider some natural treatments that will improve your immune system. First, ensure that your everyday life isn’t stressful. For instance, you can participate in yoga or meditation and don’t forget to sleep well or reach out to a counselor. The techniques can help limit stress and improve your immune system.
Another method of boosting your immunity, in suppressing this virus is by consuming immune-boosting supplements. They can be very effective in improving the natural defenses of the body to improve the chances of eliminating the virus.
The top supplements for treating HPV infection are:
Mushroom extracts:
Some mushroom extracts are packed with immune-boosting and antiviral capabilities and have been effective for this use for many decades. Several studies have been carried out on Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) for treating HPV and the outcomes were promising. Other types of medicinal mushrooms that improve immunity are Cordyceps, red Reishi, Chaga, turkey tail, and shiitake.
Folate
Folate, also called vitamin B9 is linked to cervical well-being. Individuals that consume a lot of Folates are less vulnerable to different types of cancer, such as breast, colon, cervical, stomach, and pancreatic cancer. Folate can be consumed as a supplement (folic acid) or obtained naturally from foods like soybeans, oranges, avocados, spinach, and lentils.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is very effective in improving the functioning of the immune system. Vitamin c isn’t naturally produced by the body and can be found in grapefruit, broccoli, and oranges. You might also want to consider taking vitamin C supplements.
Vitamin A
Also, always ensure that your body gets sufficient vitamin A, because Vitamin A helps to improve vision, reproduction, and the immune system. Vitamin A can be naturally found in specific foods such as carrots, broccoli, salmon, and dairy products. It is also available as a dietary supplement.
Green tea extract
According to some studies, the polyphenols found in green tea can be effective in reducing the risk of specific cancers. Furthermore, genital warts can be treated with a green tea extract ointment. Ensure that you discuss your options with a medical practitioner before opting for this supplement because it usually interacts with other medications.
DIM
DIM, also known as Diindolylmethane can help boost immunity and assist in preventing the growth of cervical lesions. Even though it can be found in broccoli, consuming the capsule can provide an additional amount of the nutrients required by the body.
Always seek medical advice to identify the best natural supplement that is suited for your unique situation. Considering that specific supplements such as green tea extract can potentially interact with other medications when consumed, it is safer and advisable to see a medical professional before opting for a supplement.
Furthermore, for severe conditions such as cancerous cells or precancerous cells in the cervix, the natural method shouldn’t be substituted for a medical procedure. A biopsy or other procedures might be required for individuals with higher-risk strain of HPV.
For many individuals with a positive HPV infection or unusual pap result, using the natural method to treat HPV will boost the immune system and fortify the body’s defenses. Include a few of these supplements into your diet to limit your vulnerability to HPV infection.
