Open Source Apothecary At Home / Urinary and reproductive
Urinary and reproductive
UTI, prostate, menstrual, menopause, lactation
Urinary tract infection, prostate, menstruation, menopause and lactation. Some of the strongest evidence in the handbook lives here — cranberry for recurrent UTI prevention in women, and effective treatment for menopausal hot flushes. It also contains some of the sharpest limits: a urinary infection with fever or flank pain is a kidney infection, and mastitis with a fluctuant lump is an abscess, neither of which is a self-care problem.
13 entries
Breast health: mastitis, lumps and what to check
Mastitis needs prompt care and continued feeding. A new lump is never a poultice question.
safetyBreastfeeding and milk supply
Fenugreek and milk thistle have low-quality trials. Latch and positioning fix most supply problems.
remedyEndometriosis
One in ten women, years to diagnosis, and no herb is the treatment. The delay is the harm.
guideEnlarged prostate (BPH)
Saw palmetto is the most studied and the largest trials found no better than placebo. That is the finding.
remedyHeavy periods
Heavy bleeding is common, treatable, and the first thing to do is find out why — and check the iron.
remedyKidney stones: prevention is fluid and diet
Water and a low-sodium, normal-calcium diet have the evidence. Most supplement advice for stones has none.
remedyMenopause: hot flushes and the honest evidence
Black cohosh, red clover and soy isoflavones all have trials. All of them are modest, and HRT is more effective.
remedyPainful periods (dysmenorrhoea)
NSAIDs and heat have the best evidence. Ginger has small trials and is a reasonable second line.
remedyPMS and PMDD
Vitex and calcium have trials. PMDD is a different, more serious diagnosis and needs clinical care.
remedyPolycystic ovary syndrome and fertility
Inositol has the best evidence of the supplements. Weight, insulin resistance and lifestyle do more.
remedyUrinary incontinence and overactive bladder
Pelvic floor training has better evidence than any supplement, and it is free.
remedyUrinary tract infection: prevention, and the one that needs a doctor
Cranberry and D-mannose have modest prevention evidence. Neither treats a kidney infection.
remedyVaginal infections: thrush and bacterial vaginosis
Boric acid has real trials and a real toxicity limit. Tea tree and yogurt do not.
remedy