Homeopathic Medicine for Menopause – Change of Life

In women, it occurs between 35-55 years of life. Menses may stop suddenly or there may be decreased flow each month until there is a final cessation or the periods maybe lengthened until complete cessation is accomplished. Surgical menopause occurs in almost 50% of women aged 50-64 years. It is surgically induced by removal of ovaries irrespective of age, characterizing end of child bearing years. In men, it is called “andropause” (instead of menopause) and generally occurs between the age of 50-60 years when some changes in his behaviour may be noticed. When the menstruation of a woman halts, the estrogen level begins to drop.

The decrease in production of “estrogen” results in thinning of vagina and loss of elasticity of mucous membranes of vulva, vagina and other tissues like that of breasts. It also causes dryness of vagina and its itching, and sometimes discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse. For the same reason, the urinary stream maybe slowed down, there may be difficulty in urination, increase in urination both during the day and night and voiding of urine on coughing or sneezing or urine may escape if the urge to it is not attended to immediately. Fatigue, insomnia, headache, irritability, depression, loss of memory and concentration are series of conditions associated with climacteric. All these symptoms have been dealt with under the appropriate heads and maybe consulted in case of need. One more condition that occurs in the postmenopausal period over the age of 50 is called ‘osteoporosis’. Research has shown that almost 25% women in this period suffer from this disease. In this disease, amount of bone being produced by the body falls short of the amount that is naturally lost over time and excessive calcification of bones occurs causing spontaneous fractures and a marble-like appearance. For this also refer to the chapter on bones and fractures. Calcarea phos. and Symphytum off. (tincture) will be found useful. Weight bearing exercises, calcium supplements and soya bean foods are helpful during this difficult period of change of life. During this period, ovaries shut down and female eggs are not produced. It is estimated that women are born with 800000 eggs but the number dwindles with age. At about 37, about 25000 eggs are left, the decline speeds up and ovaries shrink until most of the eggs are depleted and menopause occurs around 50, plus or minus seven or eight years.

Acidum sulph. (Thrice a day): Hot flushes followed by perspiration and trembling. Does everything in a hurry. Craves stimulants.

Aloe soc. (Thrice a day): Given in frequent doses, cures protracted, exhausting and obstinate hemorrhage from the uterus which occurs in women of nervous, relaxed and phlegmatic habits during this difficult period of change of life.

Amylenum nit. 3x (Thrice a day): Climacteric headache and flushes of heat with anxiety and palpitations. It may be accompanied with facial flushing.

Aurum mur. (Thrice a day): Hemorrhage from womb during menopause.

Calcarea ars. (Thrice a day): Slightest exertion causes palpitations of the heart. It specially suits women who are fleshy. Complaints of fat women around menopause.

Calcarea carb. (Thrice a day): Diseases of women around climacteric. Pituitary and thyroid dysfunction.

Camphora (Thrice a day): Flushes of heat and sweat in a warm room. Feels hot when covered and cold when uncovered. Feet and limbs feel cold.

Cimicifuga (Thrice a day): Rheumatic pains. Headache, menses, when they appear, are clotty, painful and profuse. Amenorrhea.

Conium mac. (Thrice a day): Troubles of women specially of old maids during and after menopause. Great debility in the morning in bed.

Ficus rel. Q, Ficus ind. Q: 5 drops of either in a little water given four times a day arrests the unusual bleeding during menopause.

Fraxinus amer. (Thrice a day): Mental disorders at the time of menopause. Cold creeping and hot flushes.

Gelsemium (Thrice a day): Earache during menopause. It is a sure remedy.

Ginkgo biloba Q (Twice a day) 5 drops in ½ cup of water: It helps mood disorders and memory problems during the climacteric period.

Gunpowder 3x (Thrice a day), Hekla lava 3x (Thrice a day): Inflammation of the bones during menopause.

Helonias (Thrice a day): Debility and menorrhagia during menopause.

Hypericum (Thrice a day).: It eases depression during menopause.

Lachesis (Twice a day): Flooding at climacteric and in pre-cancerous flowing. Palpitations, hot flushes, headache and hemorrhage. Mental troubles.

Mancinella (Thrice a day): Mental depression at menopause.

Oophorinum 3x (Thrice a day): Nervous climacteric disturbances generally-whether menopause is natural or is produced surgically by the removal of ovaries. Skin disorders, acne rosacea.

Pilocarpus Q: Hot flushes during menopause are reduced/cured by the use of this remedy. It stimulates the glands to produce an adequate quality of hormones.

Platinum met. (Thrice a day): Suits arrogant and proud ladies who are prone to localized numbness and coldness. Ovaritis with excessive bleeding.

Pulsatilla nig. (Thrice a day): Menses suppressed, appear too late and are scanty. Suits ladies who are sad, mild, gentle and yielding with a weeping tendency. Likes open air even if she feels chilly.

Salvia off. Q (Twice a day) 20 drops in ½ cup of water: It is a powerful antioxidant and helps to control hot flashes and, irritability and excessive perspiration associated with menopause. 20 drops a dose in a little water.

Sanguinaria (Thrice a day): Burning sensation like from hot water. Bearing down with leucorrhea smelling like fish or old cheese. Headache every seventh day during menopause. Climacteric disorders with sensation of burning in various parts – face, palms, soles, stomach, etc. Hot flushes.

Sanguisorba 2x: Long lasting profuse menses with congestion of the head and limbs, and climacteric hemorrhages.

Senecio aur. (Thrice a day): Insomnia during menopausal stage. Great drowsiness with unpleasant dreams.

Sepia (Thrice a day): Unusual bleeding during menopause. Hot flushes at menopause with weakness and perspiration. Aversion to coitus.

Valeriana Q (Twice a day): Sleep disturbances. Sleepless with nocturnal itching and muscular spasms.

NOTE 1: Hot flushes are felt by women 2-4 years before menopause (perimenopause) and after the post-menopausal period. This usually occurs at the time when the hormones are low. Hot flushes are highest when the level of hormones are lowest. The flushes involve a sensation of heat spreading up from the abdomen to the neck. The exact cause of it remains a mystery.

NOTE 2: Post-menopausal period can also be a difficult time for some women. It can be a time for emotional distress, anxiety, depression with physical symptoms like hot flushes, intermittent bleeding, palpitations, weight gain, insomnia and headaches. In homeopathy, the diagnosis and the consequent treatment of pre-or post-menopausal difficulties are specific to the patient, individually as it reflects his unique experience of the disease.