How I Healed my HPV and Have Also Helped Other Women Do the Same
First off, let me start by saying THANK YOU to those that have read & reached out to me regarding my last blog post. It’s crazy how many of you can relate, which goes to show how common this virus is! So, as promised, this week I’ll be discussing what I did to heal my HPV which I’ve also shared with other women to help them do the same.
**As a disclaimer, I’m not a medical professional and the information provided on my site is intended for general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.**
I got off birth control- kind of.
After receiving my abnormal results for my pap following the LEEP procedure, the first thing I did was get off the pill. I was on the pill for almost 10 years with no breaks in between and research shows that using birth control for more than 5 years can increase your risk of HPV. Now, I say “kind of” because I’m still using a form of birth control— it’s just natural. Literally. I’ve been on Natural Cycles for over year now but prior to that I would use other apps to track my cycle. I find Natural Cycles to be the most effective for me because it can pinpoint when you’re ovulating so you can be extra careful and use a backup method (such as condoms) as well as knowing exactly when you’re about to get your period (thanks to temping). It does require consistency though— every morning, you’re required to take your temperature (this will tell you whether you’ve ovulated and when your period’s about to start) along with taking ovulation tests while you’re in fertile window, too. Worried about getting pregnant? Be consistent with your temping and ovulation tests. The beautiful thing about Natural Cycles is you can use it to avoid pregnancy AND to get pregnant when that time comes. I’ve been off the pill for almost 4 years now and no babies yet, so yes, it works! If you’re wanting to sign up, you can use my link here. *This is not a sponsored post, this is strictly my personal opinion.
I started taking a prenatal multivitamin
Being on birth control for a number of years can deplete your body of certain nutrients, including b-vitamins and folic acid…and when it’s low, it’ll show up on your pap smear. Having an abnormal pap smear means lower levels of b-vitamins and folic acid, which can indicate— you guessed it— HPV. Prenatal vitamins have higher levels of b-vitamins, as well as containing folic acid since it’s needed to help baby grow. I take Rainbow Light’s Prenatal One vitamin and I love that it’s plant-based, making it easy to digest. Plus, you only need 1 per day! You can get them here.
I added several supplements to my diet to help boost & rebuild my immune system
HPV can be healed on it’s own if you have a strong immune system, so I started researching all the supplements that could help. Turkey tail was one of the first supplements I added to my regimen and it helps to stimulate immune function and reduce inflammation. I also began taking elderberry & oil of oregano— not so much on a daily basis but whenever I start to feel a cold coming on, I’ll reach for these. Elderberry & oil of oregano are potent antiviral herbs, helping to boost your immune system while also inhibiting viruses. I’ve noticed that since I’ve began taking these herbs, not only have I cleared my HPV but I literally never get sick anymore— which is a HUGE deal, considering I grew up with the worst immune system after contracting pneumonia at age 6. You can find more recommendations for antiviral herbs from Dr. Axe here. Also, this is the brand of turkey tail I take, and I love the brand Gaia for my elderberry and oil of oregano supplements.
I changed my diet
Food is medicine, my loves! We are what we eat and if I wanted to help heal my HPV, I knew my diet had to change. I switched to an all organic, non-GMO, grass-fed diet, with heavy emphasis on fruits and veggies. To help ensure my full serving of veggies on a daily basis, I’d begin my mornings with this protein shake. It’s not exactly the tastiest, but when you mix it with almond milk and honey, it’s not half bad. This shake, combined with your prenatal vitamin, can help ensure you’re receiving the nutrients you need to clear that HPV. I also made it a point to cook organic, wholesome, meals at home every night as well (besides date night— ya girl’s gotta treat herself every now and then).
I lowered my stress levels with a daily ritual of yoga & meditation
Research shows that stress can contribute to HPV, so I made it a point to start meditating and doing yoga daily. In this day and age, it’s easier than ever to cultivate a daily practice of yoga and meditation thanks to the internet. Yoga with Adriene has been life changing and she makes having a home practice so deliciously enjoyable. Insight Timer is a free app that provides a timer for your meditation with bells and ambient background sounds, along with the choice to do guided meditations as well. In addition to cultivating a daily yoga & meditation practice, I also cut back on the amount of alcohol I consumed which can also contribute to stress levels.
So there you have it friends! As you can see, this isn’t a quick-fix to healing HPV but rather an entire lifestyle change. Getting diagnosed with HPV was shitty and scary (if I’m being frank), but it also lead me on a journey to genuine self-love, healing, and ultimately a more (whole)listic existence. Looking back, I can’t help but feel a bit of gratitude for my experience…who knows if I’d be as healthy as I am today without it.
I’d love to hear from you, my loves! If you have any questions or comments about what I did or want more insight on anything I’ve mentioned, feel free to comment below or shoot me an email. Until next week! XO
