AN INTERVIEW ON FEMALE DISEASES

Question : Which types of complaints , regarding female diseases , a Homeopathic Doctor deals with  in his regular practice ?

Answer : 

There are several types of diseases by pathological names , for which women come for consultation . For easy description , I will classify them as below :-

1 . DISEASES  OF  BREAST – PAIN ( MASTALGIA ) , LUMP etc. ,

2 . DISEASES  RELATED  TO  DISCHARGE  FROM GENITO-URINARY  TRACT :-

       
A > Normal  Discharge :   a . Urine – incontinence  of  urine ,

                                           b . Menstrual Bleeding :   i) irregular  periods ,

                                                                                   ii) associated pain(Dysmenorrhoea)                                                    

B > Abnormal Discharge – White discharge ( Leucorrhoea ) .

3 . INFERTILITY .

Question : Does lump in breast , increase the risk of breast cancer ?

Answer : 

No , every lump in breast is not cancer or turns into cancer . Every woman , is advised to self check her breast regularly , pressing her fingers on breast in a circular manner . If she detects any lump , should immidiately consult with a physician . To diagnose the case USG of breast or MAMMOGRAPHY followed by HISTO-PATHOLOGICAL EXAM ( BIOPSY ) or FNAC etc. are suggested . There are common tumors of breast found which are not malignant . e.g.

Fibroadenomas - Benign tumors . This type of tumor is painless , but firm on touching . It grows very slowly and usually solitary . It is difficult to point out its location by touching as it is highly mobile ( hence sometimes called breast mice ) . It is female hormone related , found in the breast of a woman at child-bearing ages and regresses after menopausal age .

Fibroadenosis / Fibrocystic Breast Disease –Non-malignant breast lump . Pain and discomfort ( breasts may feel full, heavy, swollen, and tender to touch ) are complained usually . But do not be afraid . The pain and discomfort is hormone regulated and felt periodically esp. during the bleeding phase of menstrual cycle or weeks before each period and ceases afterwards .

Question : How effective is the Homeopathic treatment for breast lump ?

Answer : 

Homoeopathic treatment is very much effective to cure the breast lumps and associated symptoms ( pain/mastalgia , heavyness , tenderness etc. ) . When a proper Homoeopathic medicine is prescribed by a well qualified Doctor , you can expect good results . The only matter is that you must have some patience and wait for some time to get cured completely . Homoeopathic medicines can act upon the endocrine system and influence hormone production , bringing back the system to a balanced state . This can not only reduce the pain , by increasing the pain-threshold level , but also responsible for the shrinkage of the tumors . If the pain is from mastitis ( inflamation due to microbial infections ) then also , Homoeopathic medicine is very much effective in treating the infection . Additional treatments for fever , shivering , chills , tenderness and breast swelling are also can be provided by a good Homoeopathic physician .

Question : What is incontinence of urine ? How a woman may suffer from it ?

Answer : 

It is a condition where controll on urinary bladder is lost . The weakened pelvic floor muscles , which supports the bladder are the cause of this . The pelvic floor support can be weakened by child birth , bulky or heavy uterus , Fibroid tumors of uterus , increased intra-abdominal pressure ( as in obesity , chronic lung diseases , who regularly strains due to constipation etc. ) .

               With the increased intra-abdominal pressure , while coughing , sneezing , laughing etc. , the urine may leaks out of the bladder as its pelvic floor support is reduced ( also called STRESS  INCONTINENCE ) . In women , it is commonly associated with Uterine Prolapse ( Uterus drops down into the Vagina due to the same cause – weakened pelvic floor supports , unable to hold it in proper place ) .

Question : So how these cases are treated by Homeopathy ?

Answer : 

First of all a thorough case history is obtained from the patient and clinical examinations performed . Then lab tests , such as USG-KUB & PELVIC ORGANS suggested for the confirmation of the diagnosis . If found positive , treatment is started . In Homoeopathy , there is several good medicines for this type of cases , which can reduce the laxity of pelvic floor muscles . Any underlying cause e.g. UTERINE  FIBROID TUMORS , BULKY/HEAVY UTERUS , if found are also treated . To reduce Fibroid or heavy uterus , Homoeopathic medicines regulates the endocrene system and balances hormonal levels optimally . Beside treatment , pelvic floor strengthening exercises are also advised for better result . In initial stages incontinence of urine , uterine prolapse etc. are completely curable by Homoeopathic treatment , but in final stages the chances are reduced and partial removal of associated symptoms are only possible .

Question : How to say if a period/menstrual cycle is irregular or not ? What are the causes ?

Answer : 

If the duration of a menstrual cycle period is less than 21 days , or more than 36 days , then it is irregular . But if this happens regularly , then cycle less than 21 days , is termed as Polymenorrhoea and more than 36 days is , Oligomenorrhoea . Regarding the bleeding phase : bleeding for less than 2 days or more than 8 days is irregular . Different variations are as below :-

1         Absent Menstrual Bleeding ( Amenorrhoea ): No bleeding in a 90-day period ,

2         Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (  Menorrhagia ) ,

3         Heavy and Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding

4         Light Menstrual Bleeding

5         Spotting between 2 periods etc.

The causes may include :-

1. Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease ( P.C.O.D./P.C.O.S. )
2. Uterine Fibroid
3. Hypothyroidism
4. Certain contraceptive methods- Intra-uterine device ( I.U.D. ) , Pills
5. Using certain drugs
6. Excessive exercise
7. Stress , anxiety etc.
8. Thickening of uterine lining or Endometrial Hyperplasia etc.

Question : How these problems can be treated ?

Answer : 

These problems can be cured by treating the underluing causes . First a detailed case history is obtained from patient . If she uses any contraceptive methods , then a different method is advised to her , which is suitable for her . Habit of excessive exercise is prohibited . Meditation along with Homoeopathic medicine can help her to overcome stress , anxiety etc. Certain lab tests are advised to find out any pathological states . e.g.

• USG-PELVIC ORGANS
• BLOOD FOR COMPLETE HAEMOGRAM
• BLOOD FOR FBS & PPBS / HBA1C
• BLOOD FOR FT4 , TSH or T3 , T4 , TSH
• HSG ( Hysterosalpingography ) etc.

If any pathology is detected , such as Hypothyroidism , Fibroid , PCOD etc. then they are treated accordingly .

Hypothyroidism is a state of underactive thyroid gland and patients of hypothyroidism often complains of irregular menstrual bleeding or heavy bleeding in periods . In such cases suitable Homoeopathic drug is administered , which helps to stimulate the Thyroid gland for normal level of hormone secretion. Monthly monitoring of blood T₃, FT4, TSH is needed to check any abnormality if returns. Finally when all complications cured an antmiasmatic constitutional Homoeopathic drug is given to prevent future recurrence.

Fibroid is a benign tumor of uterus . Its origin and growth depends upon the excess oestrogen level of the patient , found in women at child-bearing ages and starts to reduce after menopause . Heavy bleeding in periods , pain in pelvic area , pain with period or Dysmenorrhoea are common in uterine fibroids . These women may also have problems to conceive . Homoeopathy is very effective to cure such cases . The heavy bleeding or pain in periods are reduced to normal gradually by Homoeopathic treatment . Beside this Homoeopathic medicines act on patient’s endocrene system and regulates hormone secretion optimally . So the size of Fibroid starts to reduce and finally may disappear completely . After that pregnancy is very much possible .

Endometrial hyperplasia is a thickening ( due to overgrowth of cells ) of the lining membrane of uterus . The situation here is that , there is excess of oestrogen in body and lack of balance between the two female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.

This is also seen in Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome ( PCOS/PCOD ) . In both Endometrial thickenning and PCOD , women suffer from irregular periods and problems to conceive . In PCOS , due to hormonal imbalance , there is no ovulation and as a result , ovary becomes filled with multiple cyst like structure ( from immature follicles ) . As I stated earlier , that Homoeopathic medicines act very well , in these types of hormone regulated diseases and can bring the patient to complete recovery .

Question : Many women suffer from severe pain on those days of period , even some of them experience it , when the period is over . Is this normal , or any diseased condition ?

Answer : 

Painfull period is termed as Dysmenorrhoea . In young women , pain in periods is common and usually there is no underlying pathological conditions . It is mainly due to the increased prostaglandins in menstrual fluid . It may lasts for first 1-2 days of period and then gradually decreases .

                But if the pain , starts few days before period , lasts for the whole period and then decreases and if the patient is an older woman , there may be some underlying pathologies . e.g. Endometriosis , Adenomyosis , Chocolate Cyst , Pelvic Inflamatory Disease ( P.I.D. ) , Fibroid Uterus etc. The other important feature is that , often these women , suffer from irregular periods and may have problems of conception .

Question : What tests are suggested to identify them ?

Answer :

1. Blood for Complete Haemogram , FBS , PPBS etc.
2. USG-KUB & Pelvic Organs
3. Vaginal Swab-RE & C
4. HSG ( HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAPHY ) etc.

Question : How these problems can be treated by Homeopathy ?

Answer : 

The treatment plan of Fibroid Uterus , I alredy discussed earlier in this article . Here I will describe about the treatments of other major causes of Dysmenorrhoea .

• ENDOMETRIOSIS , ADENOMYOSIS , CHOCOLATE  CYST : Endometrium is the inner lining membrane of uterus . If it is found anywhere outside of uterus in pelvis , then it is known as Endometriosis . If found in myometrium of uterus , then it is known as Adenomyosis . When it is located in ovaries in a cystic formation , termed as Chocolate Cyst . During every period they respond to the hormonal influences in female body and may bleed inside pelvis . This blood is stored there and is responsible for inflammatory reactions , adhesion of adjcent organs , scarring and chronic pelvic pain . The pain can be managed , so that the patient feels better during her periods , but the condition can not be cured untill the menopause . So regular treatment is necessary . Homoeopathic medicines are given to balance the oestrogen-progesterone levels . This helps to prevent the extra-uterine endometrial proliferation and bleeding . Bulky and heavy uterus due to Adenomyosis and Chocolate Cyst of ovaries can also be reduced by this way . Furthermore there are certain medicines are there in Homoeopathy , which can remove the pelvic organ adhesions and reduce the discomfort . Though many women suffer from infertility in these cases , but regulating the Endocrene axis and balancing the hormonal levels properly by suitable Homoeopathic medicines , conception is possible .
• PELVIC  INFLAMMATORY  DISEASE  ( P.I.D. ) : This is due to inflammation of female upper genital tract (of Fallopian Tube – Salpingitis or Fallopian Tube with Ovaries – Salpingo-Oophoritis ) . Usually seen in sexually active women as it is usually a sexually transmitted disease ( S.T.D. ) , arising from Chlamydia or  Neisseria gonorrhoeae ( Gonorrhoea producing bacteria ) . If the woman is sexually inactive then tuberculus infection is suspected . These women suffer from Dysmenorrhoea , Chronic Pelvic Pain , Dyspareunia ( painful intercourse ) , Infertility , Irregular Periods , white discharge ( Leucorrhoea ) etc. This disease can be cured by Classical Homoeopathic approach . Medicines are given according to symptom similarity and not to kill the pathogens directly . These medicines , if perfectly selected , can boost the immune response of the patient and the body system can free itself from the morbific influences of the pathogens . Finally Anti Miasmatic Constitutional Homoeopathic Medicines are given to cure associated complaints and prevent any other complications .

Question : Many women suffer from white discharge . Does this problem arise from Pelvic Inflammatory disease ? What are the treatments available in Homeopathy for white discharge ?

Answer : 
White discharge or Leucorrhoea is a codition charecterized by excess vaginal secretion . Not always , there is an inflammatory condition . In most of the cases , white discharge is completely normal and due to oestrogen regulation of female reproductive system . Physiological leucorrhoea is seen esp. at puberty , ovulation , during pregnancy and in some women , during the pre-menstrual phase of menstrual cycle .

                   But , if the discharge is profuse , curdy or thin , creamy in consistency , yellowish or slightly greenish in colour , irritating and frothy , causes pruritus/itching of vagina , then there may be some infection . The infections , that can cause leucorrhoea as below :

            i)    Protozoal infection – Trichomoniasis ( most common )

           ii)   Fungal infection – Moniliasis ( due to Candida albicans )

          iii)  Bacterial infection – Chlamydial or N. gonorrhoeal infection ( stated earlier in P.I.D. ) .

This infections are either sexually transmitted ( S.T.D. ) , or acquired by inadequate hygiene , using moist inner-garments for long or the use of an infected person’s towel , clothes etc.

                        The treatment is focused on the underlying causes of the problem . Most of the cases , require no treatment ( in case of physiological/normal white discharge ) . But if the symptom is quite distressing to patient , then certain Homoeopathic drugs are administered to influence , oestrogen regulated system to controll the white discharge . For the infective form of leucorrhoea , Classical Homoeopathic methods are of the choice . First a Homoeopathic medicine is given , which can cover the entire distressing symptoms collectively according to the rules of Homoeopathic similarity . Anti-mismatic Homoeopathic medicines are administered thereafter to complete the cure and to prevent any other complications .

Question : Can Infertility be treated by Homeopathy ?

Answer : 
Yes . Infertility can be treated by Homoeopathy successfully .

                 If there is any problem of the couple to conceive , the condition is known as Infertility . The problem may be of anyone , either husband or wife or both .

                   For female infertility Hormonal level estimation , such as FSH , LH , AMH is essential . USG of pelvic organs  to find out any abnormalty and HSG to discover any fallopian tube blockage is done usually . The common causes of female infertility are : PCOD/PCOS ( POLY CYSTIC OVARIAN DISEASE ) , PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE ( PID ) , FIBROID UTERUS , UTERINE DISPLACEMENT , ENDOMETRIOSIS , ADENOMYOSIS , CHOCOLATE CYST OF OVARIES etc. All of them can be treated by Homoeopathic medicines . In this article , earlier , I already stated about them with their treatment procedure by Homoeopathy , in details .

                      For male infertility , first semen analysis is necessary . Semen is evaluated to see   

• Morphology- if any abnormality is there
• Semen volume
• Sperm count per mm. – if sufficient or not
• Culture of semen- to see if there is any infection etc.

If any abnormality found , the patient is strictly prohibited from smoking , alcoholism etc . as it may cause further reduction of healthy sperm count . Proper diet and regimen should be maintained . Certain medicines are there , in Homoeopathy , which can help to achieve normal semen volume , sufficient sperm count , normal morphology of sperms with motility etc. However , after taking the case history thoroughly , selection of a constitutional Homoeopathic medicine for the patient , works best .

                       

In this topic , I want to mention other 2 diseases , Diabetes Mellitus and Hypothyroidism , which are very much prevalent today , are the very important causes of Infertility . They are responsible for loss of libido or sexual desire , erectile dysfunctions in male , dyspareunia or painful sexual intercourse , problems of ovulation in female etc. They should be treated properly to overcome the problem of infertility . They can be managed completely by Homoeopathic treatment . I already published articles on Diabetes Mellitus and Thyroid disorders , their symptoms , causes , diagnosis , treatments etc. You must read them at the links below :-

·         DiabetesMellitus : Treatment by Homoeopathy

·         ThyroidDisorders : Treatment by Homoeopathy .