Abstract
A case of 22-year-old female presented with complaints of delayed menses. Based on her presenting complaints, totality was made according to Hahnemannian Principles and an individualised similar medicine was prescribed in a very minute dose. With just a single dose of Homoeopathic medicine her menses returned within 2 days.
Keywords
Homoeopathy, Oligomenorrhea, Pulsatilla Pratensis
Introduction
For a woman, average menstrual cycle is around 28 days. Any woman having a cycle between 25 to 30 days is generally termed as a healthy menstruating woman. Changes in the cycle usually differs indiviual to individual, but the cycle seldom changes it’s pattern every month.
But in cases, where a woman does not get her menses for 35 days or more, its likely for her to have less than 9 periods the whole year. Missing a period once or twice should not be a cause of concern. But when this irregularity is seen every other month, it is often termed as Oligomenorrhea.
PCOS, Cushing syndrome, Prolactinoma, Hyper-thyroidism or even eating disorders have a significant role in causing irregular menstruation in women. Other factors like Diabetes Mellitus or consuming birth control pills can cause this irregularity. It is not uncommon to see this condition prevailing more in the adolescent age group.
In today’s times, it is very much likely we are under some or the other mental tension in our personal as well as professional life. It is often seen how the diseases of mental origin find heir way to the physical body. Stress is the major cause of many diseases seen in today’s world. It has always been witnessed that, Stress has been an important factor causing hormonal imbalances leading to Oligomenorrhea in females.
As a Homoeopathic Physician, when any sick patient arrives at our door-step, we have a big responsibility, that, the next time the patient arrives, she comes with a big smile on her face suggesting that her suffering was annihilated from the depth. It is this depth which has to be targeted, which can only be covered by the dynamic homoeopathic medicines which are custom tailored according to one’s individuality.
Case study
Presenting complaints
A 22-year-old female complained that her menses are late and it’s been 40 days since her last menstruation. Her additional complaint was that her periods were never regular in the past 8 months. Also, whenever the menses returned, they were scanty and lasted for only 2-3 days.
Date of case taking: 07-10-2020
| SR. NO | LOCATION | SENSATION & PATHOLOGY | MODALITIES | ACCOMPANIMENTS |
| Female Reproductive System Menstruation Since 8 month Presently L.M.P = 28/08/2020 | Irregular Menses Menses delayed by 40 days | A/F: Stress | Increase in body weight Increase in appetite Laziness | |
| 2. | GIT Since 8 months Sudden onset and progression | Eructation ++ | < eating food |
History of presenting complaints
The patient was apparently well 8 months ago. 8 months back, her menses were delayed by 15 days and the day her menses returned, the menstrual flow was very scanty. The following months, her menses were regularly irregular with scanty flow. She also experienced a gradual increase in body weight since then.
At around the same time, she also started getting constant eructation after meals.
Presently, she didn’t get her menses and they were delayed by 40 days.
Menstrual History
Menarche: 12 years
L.M.P: 28st August 2020
Cycle: Irregular, 35-40 days
Duration: 2-3 days
Flow: Scanty
About the patient
She was in tears while narrating her complaints. She was of the opinion that her complaints have started ever since the start of the pandemic. After getting her into confidence, she opened up. She started by saying that she has been at home for around 1 year due to lockdown and as a result she has been very inactive physically. She is worried about her career, because due to lockdown, her exams are delayed. She wants to finish with her internship and start working which is getting delayed due to the pandemic. She is very ambitious as a person and wants to be successful in life. She also confessed an uncanny fear of dark at night and of being approached.
Personal History
Diet – Non-vegetarian
Thirst: Thirstless
Appetite: Increased++
Craving: Tea++
Bowelhabits: 1-2/day
Bladder Habits:5-6/day
Dreams: Unremembered
Diagnosis
On the basis of clinical presentation and history of presenting complaints it was diagnosed as Oligomenorrhea
Oligomenorrhea
- Delayed menses
- Irregular menstruation cycle
- Scanty menstruation
Analysis & Evaluation of Symptoms
| MENTAL GENERALS | PHYSICAL GENERALS | CHARACTERISTIC PARTICULARS |
| Weeping Fear of darkness Feels very lazy to do any work Ambitious | Cravings: Tea++ Thirstless Hunger: Increased++ | Delayed menses Irregular menses Scanty menses Increase in body weight Constant eructation < eating Weakness |
Repertorisation (Synthesis)
Remedy Selection
Pulsatilla was selected as a constitutional totality after an unprejudiced Repertorisation covered all the symptoms of case as well as the mental sphere of the patient.
Prescription
- Pulsatilla Pratensis 1M Single dose STAT (4 globules)
- Rubrum
4-4-4 x 2 week
Follow-up
The patient within 2 days of prescription over the call informed that her menses finally returned. The patient was asked to continue the medication according to the prescription and visit the clinic on the scheduled time.
| DATE | SYMPTOM CHANGES | PRESCRIPTION |
| 21/10/2020 | Menses returned on 09/10/2020 (within 3 days)Eructation – REDUCEDIncreased Appetite – BETTERLaziness – BETTER | Rubrum 4-4-4 x 1 month |
| 18/11/2020 | Menstrual Cycle – REGULAR (LMP = 07/11/2020)Eructation – BETTER | CURED |
Conclusion
The patient had presented with delayed menses with irregularity in menstruation cycle in the past 8 months. The case was diagnosed as Oligomenorrhea based on the presenting complaints and history of presenting complaints. A thorough case taking was conducted and after Repertorisation, Pulsatilla was selected as a constitutional remedy. The main reason why Pulsatilla was chosen is that it matched the disease picture of the patient perfectly on all planes, be it mental, emotional or physical. This individualised approach of case taking along with infinitesimal dilution of 1M resulted in a wondrous speedy cure of the patient. The menses returned within 2 days of prescription and also the regularity in menstrual cycle was restored. This case, again proves that, Homoeopathy cure is an ideal cure as stated by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in Aphorism 2 of Organon of Medicine, i.e. RAPID, GENTLE & PERMANENT RESTORATION OF HEALTH.
References
- Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine. 6th edn. New Delhi, India: B.jain Publishers; reprint 2008.
- Kent, J., 1985. Lectures on homœopathic materia medica. New Delhi: Jain Pub.
- William Boericke; Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica With Indian Medicine & Repertory;9th edition
About the Author
Dr. Niranjan
BapatPG SCHOLAR
Department of Organon of Medicine
Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital
