Homeopathic treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a case series

Homeopathy. 2013 Jan;102(1):59-65. doi: 10.1016/j.homp.2012.10.004.

Abstract

Objective: Observational, prospective study to describe the homeopathic management of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) by a group of French physicians.

Method: Women with PMS for >3 months were prescribed individualized homeopathic treatment. The intensity of 10 clinical symptoms of PMS was scored individually at inclusion and at a 3-6 month follow-up visit: absent = 0, mild = 1, moderate = 2, severe = 3. Total symptom score (range: 0-30) was calculated and compared for each patient at inclusion and at follow-up. PMS impact on daily activities (quality of life, QoL) was compared at inclusion and follow-up as: none, mild, moderate, severe, very severe.

Results: Twenty-three women were prescribed homeopathic treatment only (mean age: 39.7 years). Folliculinum (87%) was the most frequently prescribed homeopathic medicine followed by Lachesis mutus (52.2%). The most common PMS symptoms (moderate or severe) at inclusion were: irritability, aggression and tension (87%), mastodynia (78.2%) and weight gain and abdominal bloating (73.9%); and the most common symptoms at follow-up were: irritability, aggression and tension (39.1%), weight gain and abdominal bloating (26.1%) and mastodynia (17.4%). Mean global score for symptom intensity was 13.7 at inclusion and 6.3 at follow-up. The mean decrease in score (7.4) was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Twenty-one women reported that their QoL also improved significantly (91.3%; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Homeopathic treatment was well tolerated and seemed to have a positive impact on PMS symptoms. Folliculinum was the most frequent homeopathic medicine prescribed. There appears to be scope for a properly designed, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of individual homeopathic medicines in PMS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Crotalid Venoms / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Homeopathy*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Phytotherapy
  • Premenstrual Syndrome / therapy*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Crotalid Venoms
  • Lachesis venom