The efficacy of the homoeopathic complexes Dr Reckeweg R10 and R20 in the treatment of symptoms of the climacteric

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy)The climacteric describes the ongoing changes and symptoms, of the phase or transition period that may last 15-20 years in a woman's lifecycle, when ovarian function and hormonal production declines. Menopause is the permanent cessation of the menses, identified retrospectively after one year without menses and occurs within this period of climacteric (Bernstein et al. 1996). The most common symptoms of climacteric include hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, nervousness, depressive moods, feelings of vertigo, inability to concentration, joint pain, headache and heart palpitations. The most commonly used allopathic medication to palliate these symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). There are adverse side effects and risks associated with this treatment and not all women feel better on HR.T (Stoppard, 2001). The aim of this research study was to determine the efficacy of the Homoeopathic complexes Dr Reckeweg RI0® and R20® (Homoeopathic complexes) in relieving the symptoms of the climacteric. The methodology and Ethics were accepted by Higher Degrees Committee and Academic Ethics Committee on the 25 August 2008 (Ethical clearance no: 40/08). Participants were recruited by advertisements (Appendix A) at the University of Johannesburg, in health food shops and in pharmacies. This was a double blind, placebo controlled study involving thirty-two participants who were divided into two matched groups based on the severity of the menopausal symptoms. Volunteers were selected . using the exclusion and inclusion criteria. Volunteers meeting the inclusion criteria completed the information and consent form (Appendix B), and a patient profile and case history (Appendix C) were taken. The participants were randomly allocated to an experimental or control group, and given sets of medication (Remedy A and B, 50ml bottles) to take for a period of eight weeks (Appendix D). The participants took 10 drops of Remedy A (R10® or placebo) in the morning and Remedy B (R20® or placebo) at night. The participants were requested to complete the abbreviated Kupperman Menopause Index (KMI) weekly. The abbreviated KMI (Appendix E) scores were added..