Abstract
M.Tech.
Menopause is defined as the physiological cessation of menses due to decreased ovarian function and is established when the menses have not occurred for a year, usually occurring at a median age of 50.8 years. The period around the menopause is a time of transition that can contribute to both emotional and physical symptoms. The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy of the homoeopathically prepared remedy Lachesis in the treatment of the symptoms of the menopause in women whose symptoms match the symptom picture of Lachesis. Thirty female volunteers between the ages of sixty and sixty years were recruited from the Johannesburg and Potchefstroom areas. This was a single-blind study and the participants did not know if they were in the control or experimental group. The participants were required to complete an Abbreviated Kupperman Index on a weekly basis throughout the four week trial period. The Experimental group experienced a 58.27% overall decrease in average Kupperman score, compared to 28.65% of the Control group. The P-value of the total response of the trial is 0.2110, therefore there is not a significant statistical difference between the two groups over the total trial period. Although there was not a statistically significant difference for the total response between the two groups there was statistically significant differences between the two groups for the following individual symptoms: profuse sweating, depressive moods and the inability to concentrate.