Homoeopathic medicines in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Dr Yashasvi  Shakdvipiya¹, Dr Ankita Upadhyay², Dr Noopur Kumari³

Abstract: PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder) is a clinical condition which is characterized by increased level of androgen hormones in females of reproductive age group. It is a heterogenous, multisystem, endocrinopathy in females with the ovarian expression of various metabolic disturbances and a wide spectrum of clinical features such as obesity, menstrual abnormalities and hyperandrogenism¹. It also affects females psychosocially as they encounter mood and eating disorder. PCOS is also called Stein- leventhal syndrome. Since contemporary medicine is less effective in permanent cure of disease and not being cost efficacious homoeopathy has got wide spectrum of treatment in PCOS. This article aims to show role of rare homoeopathic remedies in treatment of PCOS. The ICD for PCOS is E28.2².

Keywords: Homoeopathy, Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Rotterdam criteria hyperandrogenaemia, hirsuitism, menstrual abnormalities, Stein- leventhal syndrome, acanthosis nigra.

Introduction: PCOS is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder that affects about 1 in 15 women worldwide³. Conventional system of medicine  may helps in reducing hyperinsulinaemia and hyperandrogenaemia which results in reduction of weight and resumption of ovulation but it is also seen that this mode of treatment can lead to other side effects, also in some cases conventional medicines are contraindicated  for example in liver diseases³. PCOS can be caused due to multiple factors namely genetic and familial environmental factors, change in the lifestyle, diet, stress³. Clinical features of PCOS are oligomenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, central obesity, male pattern baldness, acne, hirsutism, infertility, acanthosis nigra (dark, velvety patches in body folds and creases). As per Rotterdam criteria, PCOS is defined as the presence of any two of the three features: (1) Oligo/amenorrhoea: absence of menstruation for 45 days or more and/or ≤8 menses/year. (2)Hirsutism. (3) Polycystic ovaries: presence of >10 cysts, 2–8 mm in diameter, usually combined with increased ovarian volume of >10 cm ³, and an echo-dense stroma in pelvic ultrasound scan. The confirmatory investigations for PCOS are ultrasonography; thyroid function test in obese women and specific hormonal studies which includes level of lutenizing hormone (LH), Follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH), total and free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), prolactin, androstenedione, progesterone¹. Awareness and accurate diagnosis is the first step in managing PCOS as it improves quality of life of the patient. Homoeopathy is safe and effective mode of treatment thus it can modify general tendencies of recurrent cyst formation and cure the patient.

Following homoeopathic medicines have advantageous role in PCOS

•  Apis mellifica⁴ – Choice of remedy when soreness and stinging pains are present. Ovaritis which is worse in right  ovary . Ovarian tumors, metritis with stinging pains. Great  tenderness over abdomen and uterine region.<heat in any form, touch, pressure, late in afternoon, after sleeping, in closed and heated rooms. Right side. >in open air, uncovering, and cold bathing.
• Auram muriaticum natronatum-  this remedy hasmore power in in uterine tumors than any other . uterus fills up whole pelvis. Ovaries indurated with dropsy.
• Bufo rana⁴ – Well indicated medicine when menses too early and copious, clots and bloody Burning in ovaries and uterus. Ulceration of cervix. Offensive bloody discharge. Pains run into legs. Tumors and polypi of womb.<in warm room, on awakening. > from bathing or cold air; from putting feet in hot water.
• Cantharis vesictoria⁴– It can be prescribed when  there is burning pain in ovaries ; extremely sensitive (ovarian cysts). Pain in os coccyx, lancinating and tearing.< touch, or approach, micturating, drinking cold water or coffee> Rubbing.
• Calcrea carbonica⁴– Best suited to females with fat, fair , flabby females with scrofulous diathesis. Females have much sweat about external genitals, sterility with copious menses and uterine polypi.< exertion- mental or physical, ascending, cold in every form, water, washing, wet weather during full moon. > dry climate, lying painful side.
• Colocynthis⁴ – Medicine works wonder in symptoms when there is boring pain in ovary. Patient must draw up double, with great restlessness. There are round, small cystic tumors in ovaries or broad ligaments. Patient wants abdomen supported by pressure. Bearing-down cramps, causing her to bend double .<  from anger and indignation. > doubling up, hard pressure, warmth, lying with head bent forward.
• Iodium⁴– Choice of remedy when there is great weakness during menses. Menstruation is irregular with uterine hemorrhage.  Ovaritis, there is wedge-like pain from ovary to uterus. There is acrid leucorrhea, thick, slimy, corroding the linen along with wedge-like pain in the right ovarian region.<when quiet, in warm room, right side. >Better, walking about, in open air.
• Kali bromatum⁴ – Choice of remedy when there is pruritus. Ovarian neuralgia with great nervous uneasiness and exaggerated sexual desires are present. There are cystic tumors of ovaries are seen. There is acne of face, pustules. Itching is worse on chest, shoulders, and face.> Better, when occupied mentally or physically.
• Lachesis mutus⁴–  Well suited remedy when menses too short, too feeble; pains all relieved by the flow .Left ovary very painful and swollen, indurated. Coccyx and sacrum pain, especially on rising from sitting posture. Acts especially well at beginning and close of menstruation.< after sleep, left side, in the spring, warm bath, pressure or constriction, hot drinks. Closing eyes. >appearance of discharges, warm application.
• Lycopodium clavatum⁴–  It is the medicine of consideration when menses are too late, last too long, too profuse. Right ovarian pain with acrid leucorrhoea.<right side, from right to left, from above downward, 4-8 PM, from heat, warm room, hot air. > motion, after midnight, from warm food and drinks, on getting cold , from being  uncovered.
• Ovininum (oophorinum) ⁴– One of the most crucial remedy for ovarian cyst. Climactric disturbances and suffering following excision of ovaries. . Acne rosace in females.
• Thuja occidentalis- Great sycotic remedy acts well in cases of ovaritis, worse left side, at every menstrual period. Menses scanty, retarded with plypi. Leucorrhoea thick , greenish . vagina is sensitive , warty excrescences. <night, from heat of bed, 3AM and 3PM, from cold damp air after breakfast, fat, coffee, vaccination > left side, while , drawing up a limb.
• Platinum metallicum⁴– Medicine where parts are hypersensitive. Tingling present  internally and as well as externally. Ovaries are sensitive and burning present. Ovaritis with sterility is present.< sitting and standing; evening. >walking.

Conclusion : Its takes in account the holistic approach i.e. considers patient as a whole. PCOS is termed as a syndrome and not merely a local disease which comes in the domain of homoeopathy, therefore it should be treated as a constitutional problem

References

1. Padubidri VG, Daftary SN, Shaw W. Howkins & Bourne shaws textbook of gynaecology. India: Elsevier; 2011.
2. ICD-10-CM Codes [Internet]. Search Page 1/20: metastatic adenocarcinoma of the bone. [cited 2019Feb1]. Available from: https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/E00-E89/E20-E35/E28-/E28.2
3. Rath P. Management of PCOS through Homoeopathy-A case report. Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy. 2018;12(2):95.
4. Boericke W. Boerickes new manual of homoeopathic materia medica with repertory: including Indian drugs, nosodes, uncommon rare remedies, mother tinctures, relationships, sides of the body, drug affinities, & list of abbreviations. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 2007.

Dr Ankita Upadhyay
HOD & Assistant Professor
Department of Community Medicine
University College of Homoeopathy
Dr Sarvepalli  Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University, Kadwad Jodhpur