Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to ascertain the effect of individualised homeopathic treatment
on low sexual desire in perimenopausal females between the ages of 40 and 60 years old.
Method: This descriptive case study design recruited thirteen perimenopausal females between
the ages of 40 and 60 by means of purposive sampling. Nine participants completed the study.
Participants were treated with an individualised homeopathic remedy.
Procedure: The study consisted of four consultations per participant over a period of 12 weeks.
A single individualised homeopathic remedy was administered to each participant and the potency,
dosage and frequency of administration was tailored to each person in accordance with the
principles of classical homeopathy. The desire and arousal subscales of the Female Sexual
Function Index (FSFI) was completed at each consultation in order to assess changes in sexual
desire and arousal across time. Item 13 of the Female Sexual Distress Scale - Revised (FSDS-R)
was utilised to assess changes in distress related to low sexual desire.
Results: Results suggest that individualised homeopathic treatment may be beneficial in
alleviating low sexual desire in seven out of nine perimenopausal females between the ages of 40
and 60 years old.
Conclusion: The results of this small pilot study suggest that individualised homeopathic
treatment was effective in alleviating low sexual desire in perimenopause. The results also appear
to confirm the beneficial effect of individualised homeopathic treatment on the additional
symptoms associated with perimenopause. In order to verify the results, the study should be
repeated using a larger sample group over a longer period of time.