Mechanisms of Recurrence in Sequelae of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: A Review Based on the Theory of Damp-Heat Latent Pathogen

Abstract

Sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease (SPID) refers to the condition that develops when pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is not effectively treated. In Western medicine, antibiotics are the primary treatment; however, long-term use tends to induce drug resistance and is associated with significant adverse effects. Therefore, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of SPID. Clinical observations indicate that its recurrent nature is closely related to the concealment of pathogenic factors within the body, which remain dormant until triggered by the decline of vital qi or re-infection with exogenous pathogens—a pattern consistent with the characteristics of “latent pathogen-induced disease.” TCM posits that the core pathogenesis of this condition is blood stasis, often complicated by dampness, heat, cold, or deficiency, with the damp-heat stasis pattern being the most common clinical syndrome. The latent damp-heat pathogen harbors within, and over time, transgresses from the qi level to the blood level, leading to qi-blood disharmony and damage to the uterine vessels, which constitutes the core pathogenic mechanism of SPID recurrence. This article aims to explore SPID through the lens of the “damp-heat latent pathogen” theory, with the goal of providing a reference for clinical management.