Abstract
M.Tech.
Dysmenorrhoea is the most common of all gynaecological complaints, leading to absence from work or school and the inability to participate in sports or other activities (Edmundson et al, 2006). Headache, nausea, constipation or diarrhoea, and urinary frequency are common concomitant symptoms; vomiting occasionally occurs (Beers et al, 2006). In research by Klein and Litt, although black adolescents reported no increased incidence of dysmenorrhoea, they were absent from school more frequently than whites (Callis, 2006).
Primary dysmenorrhoea is defined as severe or incapacitating uterine cramping during ovulatory menses, in the absence of demonstrable disorders of the pelvis (Carr and Bradshaw, 2005). Primary dysmenorrhoea is related to excessive production of prostaglandins which cause ischaemia in the myometrium of the uterus, with increased contraction and vasoconstriction (Callis, 2006).
The aim of this study was to evaluate, using case studies, the effect of the homeopathic similimum in the treatment of the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhoea in black females. Evaluation was based on the evaluation of symptoms form (Appendix E), which rated the common symptoms namely lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, menstrual flow and breast tenderness, and on the history taken and follow up consultation, looking at overall symptom change of each participant.
The research study used a convenience sample of ten black females, aged between eighteen and twenty-five, who had been suffering from primary dysmenorrhoea for the previous three or more months. The volunteers were recruited by advertising posters (Appendix A) on the University of Johannesburg campuses. They were given an information and consent form (Appendix B) to read, understand and complete if they agreed with the given information and explained procedures. They were then screened for suitability using a screening questionnaire (Appendix C). From this questionnaire ten suitable participants were selected.
A full case history of each participant was taken and a full physical examination (Appendix F) was conducted on each of the ten suitable participants. The full case and physical examination findings were evaluated and a homeopathic similimum remedy was selected under supervision of the research supervisor.
Data was collected from the evaluation of symptoms form (Appendix E), and this was statistically analysed and is presented graphically. From the case history (Appendix C) and follow-up (Appendix D) forms, data was analysed by the researcher and it was discussed in terms of clinical efficacy.
The outcome of this study showed the statistical and clinical effectiveness of homeopathic similimum treatment in reducing or improving primary dysmenorrhoea and the symptoms associated with it, in black females.