Homeopathy & Women

This is a condition which seems to be produced by the balance between oestrogen and progesterone, the two female hormones secreted by the ovaries. Studies have failed to show any difference in hormone levels pre-menstrually between those who suffer PMT and those who don’t. It is one of those conditions that is difficult to describe precisely but everyone knows what it is and may have their own term for it! It is very homeopathic in that everyone exhibits different emotional disturbances and a range of physical concomitants along with nervousness and irritability.

Most women readily recognise pre-menstrual instability (pre-menstrual tension) and the physical and emotional alterations that accompany it. They often produce strong symptoms and these are what the homeopath focuses on. The way in which they change, for example wanting to be solitary when they’re normally sociable, combined with the physical symptoms of greasy skin and hair plus the craving for a salty snack are the clues needed to make a homeopathic prescription.

Women often consult me when they have tried over-the-counter anti-thrush treatments in the form of cream and pessaries but find their thrush recurs. Vaginal thrush can be very miserable and very difficult to get rid of. Diagnosis is usually made by taking a swab of the white curd-like discharge. The discharge is associated with intense itching and soreness of the vulva although sometimes the only symptoms are vulval swelling and pain on intercourse.

At other times, it may be that a test result comes back negative and a woman is left not knowing what the problem is or how to resolve it. The reason for a false negative may come about because the organism which causes thrush (Candida albicans) requires a moist, warm environment to survive. And it simply doesn’t survive the journey to the laboratory.

The growth of Candida is kept in check by bacteria present in the vagina. If antibiotic drugs destroy too many of these organisms, or if the body’s resistance to infection is lowered, the fungus may multiply excessively. Other factors that encourage its growth include the use of oral contraceptives, hormonal changes in pregnancy and a high sugar intake. That is why thrush is common in women with diabetes mellitus.

The first thing I advise sufferers to do is to eliminate sugar in their diet. Fruit may be eaten unless the case is very severe but fruit juices and squashes are forbidden.

It’s also worth checking the list of toiletries you are using. Items such as bubble baths, bleaches in sanitary products and dyes in toilet paper can produce allergic reactions.

A homeopathic remedy is prescribed with the aim of eliminating the disease and the susceptibility to it.

Some women have heavy periods from the get-go, others develop them in later decades. One of the reasons for a change to heavier blood loss may be the diagnosis of a fibroid. A fibroid is an overgrowth of muscle in the womb wall which is benign but can impinge on other pelvic organs such as the bladder and produce unwanted symptoms.

Although new techniques are available to try to remove fibroids, these are not always completely successful and at this point a hysterectomy may be offered. In the hope of avoiding an operation, I may be consulted at this point.

The aim of homeopathic treatment is to reduce blood flow and shrink the fibroid. It should be said that fibroids shrink of their own accord after the menopause and cease to present problems.

With any heavy loss of blood, it is important to take an iron supplement to replace iron loss each month. Any bleeding between periods or after the menopause should be referred back to your GP so that the appropriate gynaecological investigations can be made.