A qualitative study on the effect of the homoeopathic similimum in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy)This research investigated the individualised treatment of females suffering primary dysmenorrhoea, using homoeopathic medication. Primary dysmenorrhoea is defined as painful menstruation thought to be due to excessive production of hormones known as prostaglandins, as well as ischaemia of the myometrium during menstruation. Treatment focused on the physical manifestations in each participant as an individual, as well as the constitutional and emotional aspects of the individual. Each subject participated in five homoeopathic consultations, over a period of four months. The first consultation took place pnor to a menstrual period, whereas follow-up consultations usually took place after each menstrual period. Using each participant's unique physical, emotional and mental symptoms the researcher used a holistic approach in determining their appropriate homoeopathic remedy, known as the similimum. Participants completed four questionnaires recording the severity of the seven possible symptoms experienced just prior to and during menstruation on a scale of 0 - 10 (with 0 indicating no discomfort and 10 indicating extreme discomfort). During the first menstrual period, participants received no homoeopathic treatment and no placebo, thereby creating a baseline from which the results from the remaining three months of treatment were compared. These results, together with the progression of each participant's symptoms as noted by the researcher at each consultation, were used to determine the effect of the similimum on severity of pain during menstruation and the necessity for allopathic pain medication during the dysmenorrhoea. In striving to abide by the laws and principles of the classical homoeopathic approach, each participant was evaluated as a totality. The intent of this research was to evaluate the effect of the homoeopathic similimum on ten participants with primary dysmenorrhoea. The study aimed to provide a safe and effective alternative therapy for primary dysmenorrhoea. The research results showed that the homoeopathic similimum had a significant effect on reducing the severity and duration of pain as well as associated symptoms of primary dysmenorrhoea. In addition, the need for allopathic pain medication was significantly reduced. The improvements were most significant after two to three months of treatment with the homoeopathic similimum, as opposed to only one month of treatment