Abstract
M.Tech.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of physical and psychological symptoms that occur
cyclically in females. It is of unknown aetiology. These symptoms occur specifically during the
luteal phase (from day 14 to day 1 of the next menstrual cycle) and are resolved over the course or at
the onset of menstruation (Indusekhar et al., 2007). The syndrome is characterised by irritability,
depression, anxiety, headache, abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, breast swelling, changes in
appetite, acne, and weight gain due to oedema. Mild physiological symptoms are experienced by
approximately 95% of all women of reproductive age and about 5% of symptomatic women
complain of extremely severe symptoms, called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), that
disrupt their daily living (Wyatt, 1999).
Deuster et al., (1999) note that PMS is prevalent in all demographic groups, however differences in
races do exist and their research shows that black women are more likely to suffer from PMS than
women of other races.
The current conventional treatment options are limited, not always effective and sometimes have
significant side effects (Ross et al., 2000). Complementary and alternative treatments are said to be
beneficial, however sufficient quality trials are required to substantiate their claims to efficacy
(Indusekhar et al., 2007). Research into the use of individualised homeopathy in PMS has been
shown to have positive results (Yakir et al., 2001).
The aim of this four month study was to determine the efficacy of the homeopathic simillimum in
the treatment of premenstrual syndrome in white females. This study will eventually provide the
material to compare the presentation of PMS, and the effect of the homeopathic simillimum in
different race groups. The following symptoms were evaluated 14 days before menstruation:
irritability, depression, anxiety, headache, abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, breast swelling,
and food cravings (Beers et al., 2003).
Volunteers were asked to complete a selection questionnaire, in order for them to take part in the
study. If they qualified to take part in this study a full case history was then taken for each
participant using the standard homeopathic clinic case form. In this four month case study each of
the ten participants completed a PMS chart for each month grading their symptoms on a daily basis
and recording their dates of menstruation. A baseline of each participant’s premenstrual symptoms
was established by an initial treatment-free month where a PMS chart had to be completed to score the participants’ daily symptoms. Thereafter the participants were treated using homeopathic
simillimum treatment for the remaining three months. The chart required each participant to score
the severity of the eight different premenstrual symptoms that they experience on a scale of 0 to 5 (0
indicated that the symptom was not present, and 5 indicated that the symptom was very severe).
These charts were collected at the end of each cycle. At the end of the trial these PMS charts were
submitted for statistical analysis. These results were analysed by using the non parametric Wilcoxon
Signed Ranks Test by comparing the severity of symptoms experienced in the premenstrual period
(14 days before menstruation) for each of the three months of treatment to the initial treatment-free
month. These results showed that the homeopathic simillimum was statistically significant in the
treatment of the symptoms of PMS in these white females.