PMS: Gynaecological Homoeopathic Approach
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1997 Jul / Aug VOL 5 NO 4.
Dr Supriya Naya
In clinical practice we often get cases of women suffering from some premenstrual symptoms of varying severity, seven to ten days before the onset of menstruation. This is known as "Pre Menstrual Syndrome."
The exact cause of PMS is uncertain- whether it is due to extracelluar water, or salt retention due to excess oestradiol in plasma in relation to progesterone or just a psychosomatic disorder. Inequilibrium of hypothalamo-pituitary hormonal axis is believed to play a causative role.
From the Homoeopathic viewpoint this syndrome is regarded as a typical constitutional disorder due to the chronic Miasm "PSORA" or Latent Psora' intermingling with Sycosis of Syphilitic miasma. If we examine this condition from aspects of aetiology and clinical features, Psora turns out to be the "fundamental cause." As we know 'Irritability and tension, mental or corporeal' constitute the primary indication of PSORA.
Besides one or other conditions such as "irritability, insomnia, constipation, diarrhoea, headache, oedema of the legs, nausea, painful breasts, sometimes convulsion and in some cases hypoglycemia are also associated with PMS "It is our clinical experience, in not a few of such cases, the totality of the symptoms manifest features of the chronic miasm as revealed by the history of past history, family history and generalities. The symptoms of "Incoordination" and ":proliferation"are the primary indications of 'Sycosis' whereas Syphilis is indicated by 'Degeneration".
As far as treatment is concerned we have to take detailed case with scrupulous examination of the totality of the symptoms, to reach 'Miasmatic Diagnosis' of the case apart from examining the clinical features. "Miasmatic Diagnosis' leads to specific 'Antimiasmatic' group of medicines. From among them 'Choice of the remedy' is to be made taking all the 'characteristic symptoms' of the individual into consideration.
Since "Psora" lies at root of the PMS we shall give special emphasis to the "Antipsoric" group of medicines, eg Sulphur, Calc-carb, Calc-phos, Nat-mur, Lachesis, Veratrum-alb, Cuprum-met, Platina, Carbo-veg, Baryta-carb etc in making choice of the remedy. At the same time we must pay attention in taking note of the totality of the symptoms, of each individual patient, if the root miasmatic cause "Psora" has been complicated with the second or third miasm [Syphilis or Sycosis] whose existence might be reflected by other morbid symptoms and characteristics. Antipsoric remedies which also have syphilitic bias, eg Lycopodium, Phosphorus, Merc-viv, Phos-acid, Kreosote, Kali-carb etc. have to be considered; whereas in some cases we shall take note of those antipsoric remedies having sycotic bias e.g. Lycopodium, Sepia, Bovista, Pulsatilla, Zincum-met etc. while all the three miasma are seen to be complicated with each other Lycopodium has proven to be a very suitable remedy to combat all the three chronic miasma. From among these antimiasmatic group of medicines, we have to pick up 'the most similar' remedy as guided by the general as well as particular 'characteristics', of the case. More the characteristics guiding the choice of the remedy, more curative is the chosen remedy. It should be kept in mind that General characteristics are of utmost importance.
Experience confirms that Homoeopathic antimiasmatic constitutional approach is the curative rational therapeutic approach to the condition, as against other palliative approaches. Homoeopathic antimiasmatic, more specifically antipsoric treatment has enabled us, almost invariably, to effect many perfect cures and permanent restoration of the health in such cases.
(Editor: If the author had cited cases to illustrate these points. It would have been understood more clearly.)
