Homeopathic medicine, treatment and remedies for Menopause

Homeopathic medicines are made from natural substances like herbs, minerals and animal products and are considered to be effective in the vast majority of the population. 

A clinical trial was conducted on women with menopausal complaints and depression, one of the symptoms of menopause. These women were divided into three groups - each group was treated separately with a homeopathic medicine, fluoxetine or a placebo. The Hamilton Rating Scale for depression was used to assess the severity of depression before and after the therapy. Individualised homeopathic medicines were found to be effective in reducing the severity of depression.

However, more studies are still needed to confirm the effectivity of homeopathic remedies in the treatment of menopause symptoms.

Here are some of the homeopathic remedies that are used for the management of menopause symptoms:

• Ustilago Maydis
  Common Name: Corn-smut
  Symptoms: Ustilago maydis is an effective medicine for treating bleeding. It can also help manage symptoms such as:
  • Muscle weakness
  • Irregular periods
  • Easy bleeding of the cervix
  • Prolonged menstrual bleeding during perimenopause
  • Dark and clotted menstrual blood
  • Severe bleeding and discharge from the vagina after childbirth
• Sepia Officinalis
  Common Name: Inky juice of cuttlefish
  Symptoms: Sepia officinalis is useful for treating hot flashes during menopause, especially when they are accompanied by weakness and sweating. It can also help remedy:
  • Irregular periods which are either too late and scanty, or early and profuse
  • Sharp clutching pain during periods
  • Pain in the vagina
  • Yellowish or greenish discharge from the vagina with itching
  • Pain in the lower back

The symptoms worsen before noon, in the evenings and in cold air. The symptoms get better after sleeping, exercise, hot applications, warmth of the bed, and putting pressure on the affected area.

• Pulsatilla Pratensis
  Common Name: Wind flower
  Symptoms: Wind flower is an important homeopathic remedy that is primarily used in women. It helps in managing the following symptoms:
  • Back pain
  • Absence of periods or delayed periods
  • Presence of thick blood clots in the menstrual blood
  • White or yellowish discharge from the vagina along with burning sensation
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhoea during and after periods
  • Nervous weakness
  • Iron deficiency anaemia

The symptoms worsen in the evening, after meals, especially on eating fatty food, and while lying on the left or painless side. The symptoms improve on consuming cold foods and drinks and spending time in open air.

• Nux Moschata
  Common Name: Nutmeg
  Symptoms: Nutmeg is one of the most suitable remedies for treating severe dryness of the mucous membranes (inner lining of the reproductive tract). It is also useful in managing the following symptoms:
  • Prolonged periods with dark and thick bleeding
  • Irregular periods
  • Fainting
  • Excessive white or yellowish discharge from the vagina
  • Drowsiness

The symptoms are worse on lying on the painful side, and consuming cold food. They get better in dry weather and with warmth.

• Murex Purpurea
  Common Name: Purple fish
  Symptoms: Purple fish is an excellent remedy for the management of symptoms affecting the female sexual organs, it can be used to treat the following:
  • Pain in the right side of the uterus which radiates to the right or left breast
  • Irregular period with heavy bleeding that occur frequently and are associated with the release of large blood clots
  • Period pain
  • Greenish discharge from the vagina

Symptoms worsen even with the slightest touch.

• Lachesis Mutus
  Common Name: Bushmaster
  Symptoms: This medicine is usually given at the beginning and end of periods. It can help in the management of the following symptoms:
  • Lower back pain
  • Scanty and short periods
  • Hot flashes
  • Pain and swelling in the left ovary

The symptoms worsen on drinking hot beverages, after sleeping, application of pressure on the painful region and taking a warm bath. The patient feels better by warm applications.

• Kalium Carbonicum
  Common Name: Carbonate of potassium
  Symptoms: Kalium carbonicum is best suited for individuals with weakness and sharp, cutting pain in the back. It can also help manage the following symptoms:
  • Early, profuse, irregular or scanty periods
  • Cutting pain in the abdomen
  • Back pain
  • Severe bleeding from the uterus, as in uterine haemorrhage

The symptoms worsen in the morning, after sexual intercourse, drinking soup or coffee, in cold climate, and on lying on the painful side. Symptoms get better during the day, in warm weather, and while moving around.

• Ignatia Amara
  Common Name: St. Ignatius bean
  Symptoms: This remedy is primarily used in the management of symptoms like a rapid change of mental and physical condition and interference in the coordination of various body functions. It can also help in the treatment of symptoms such as: 
  • Severe weakness during periods
  • Irregular periods
  • Spasmodic pain in the abdomen and stomach during periods
  • Lack of interest in sexual intercourse 

The symptoms worsen in the morning, after having coffee or eating food, and in the open air while they get better on changing position and while eating.

• Glonoinum
  Common Name: Nitro-glycerine
  Symptoms: This remedy is used for treating extreme irritability and pulsating pains. It can also help in managing a few other symptoms like:
  • Flushing during menopause
  • Sudden stopping of periods
  • Delayed periods

The symptoms worsen while lying down, from 6 am to noon and going outdoors when it is sunny. Symptoms improve after drinking brandy.

• Gelsemium Sempervirens
  Common Name: Yellow jasmine
  Symptoms: Yellow jasmine is best suited for individuals with muscular weakness, trembling and drowsiness. It is also useful in general depression caused by the heat of the sun. Other symptoms that can be managed by this remedy include:
  • Rigid bones
  • Pain during periods with less bleeding
  • Sore throat and inability to speak during periods
  • Sensation as if the uterus is being squeezed
  • False labour pains which radiate to the back and hips
  • Painful spasmodic contraction in the vagina with pressure or physical contact like sexual intercourse

Symptoms worsen when the person thinks of them. Other factors that aggravate the symptoms include smoking tobacco, and damp and foggy weather. Symptoms get better in the open air, by excessive urination, increased movement and bending forward.

• Conium Maculatum
  Common Name: Poison hemlock
  Symptoms: Poison hemlock is an effective remedy for sexual weakness. It also helps in the management of insomnia and general weakness of the mind and body. Conium maculatum aids in the management of the following symptoms:
  • White or yellowish discharge from the vagina after urination
  • Suppressed periods
  • Pain during periods which radiates to the thighs
  • Enlargement and pain in the breast before and during periods
  • Inflammation of ovaries
  • Piercing and stabbing pain in the ovarian region
  • Inflammation of the cervix
  • Lack of sexual desire

The symptoms worsen with physical or mental exertion, on lying down, before and during periods, and on turning in bed. Symptoms get better in the dark, while fasting, and increased body movement.

• Caulophyllum Thalictroides
  Common Name: Blue cohosh
  Symptoms: Primarily a remedy for women, blue cohosh is used during labour and can also be used in the management of the following symptoms:
  • Pain during periods
  • Needle-like pain in the cervix
  • Severe and spasmodic pain which spreads to other areas of the body
  • Disorders of the uterus
  • Excessive white or yellowish discharge from the vagina
  • Heavy bleeding during periods
• Belladonna
  Common Name: Deadly nightshade
  Symptoms: Belladonna is used for treating burning and throbbing sensation in the body. The following symptoms can also be managed by using this remedy: 
  • Early periods with heavy and bright red bleeding
  • A sensation of heaviness in breast
  • Cutting pain in hips
  • Pain in the lower back
  • Vaginal dryness

The symptoms worsen in the afternoon, while lying down and with touch. Symptoms subside while sitting in a semi-erect position.

Homeopathic remedies are made from highly diluted substaces, so their action gets easily affected by various external factors. To avoid this and promote quick recovery, homeopathic doctors suggest the following dietary and lifestyle changes to their patients along with the remedies:

Do’s

• Include healthy and nutritious foods in your meals
• Maintain personal hygiene and stay in a clean and well-maintained environment
• Perform regular physical exercises and stay active

Don’ts

• Do not consume foods which possess medicinal properties. Your doctor will explain which ones to you.
• Avoid drinks containing caffeine and beverages with a strong aroma
• Do not use perfumes with strong odours
• Avoid staying in marshy places and unclean rooms
• Avoid activities that may lead to overexertion of the mind and body
• Avoid excessive salt, sugar and spices in your foods

Homeopathic medicines are prepared by extensive dilution of natural products. The dilution eliminates the side effects, and makes homeopathic remedies safe for children, pregnant women and the elderly.

However, these medicines should only be taken after consulting a registered homeopathic practitioner. An experienced homeopath understands the composition of the medicines and can prescribe the most suitable medicine based on the individual’s clinical condition.

Menopause is the end of the fertile period in a woman's life. Although it is a natural phenomenon faced by every woman, it may trigger some troublesome symptoms that disrupt daily routine. Proper management of these symptoms is therefore essential. Conventionally, estrogen creams and phytoestrogens are given to reduce menopause symptoms. Homeopathic treatment involves the intake of natural remedies that help provide relief from menopause symptoms. The remedies are highly diluted before use and hence are said to be safe to use.