2. MENSTRUATION


The physiology of menses and common menstrual disorders like amenorrhoea, delayed and irregular menses, scanty menses, profuse and protracted menstruation etc. along with homeopathic treatment options….


IV. Puberty.

The attainment of Puberty in the human female is indicated by the establishment of menstruation, and is the epoch at which she fully enters on that general development and growth which terminated in her being capable of bearing children.

Signs of Puberty. Before this functions commences, a striking change is effected in the general system. The pelvic viscera become rapidly developed, and the hips enlarged; the breasts become rounded and full, and establish their connection and sympathy with the womb; the chest, throat, and arms acquire the contour of a mature development, and the whole body becomes more rounded, full, and adipose; the hair grows more luxuriantly; the skin becomes fresh and blooming, the voice full and mellow; and the whole female figure acquires that elegance of symmetry, the complexion that bloom of health and beauty, and each feature and action that play of intellect and emotion., and that indescribable gracefulness of action, which are to be found in women alone.

Corresponding with the external changes coincident with Puberty are internal ones, occurring especially in the ovaries and uterus, which now become more active and more perfectly developed; in short, she has now, as a rule, power to conceive.

The mind, too, as well as the body, acquires a rapid growth; the mental capacity is enlarged, the imagination becomes more vivid, and the nervous system exhibits a heightened sensibility.

Maternal Instruction. As Puberty advances, no prudent mother will neglect to instruct her daughter to expect the change which is common to her sex, so that the first appearance of the menstrual flow my neither be arrested by the alarm naturally felt at something hitherto inexperienced, nor by the dangerous applications to which in her ignorance she may otherwise secretly resort. Some persons view the whole matter with such strong disgust, that they expose themselves carelessly or purposely at the regular time to cold and wet, or use cold baths or other means of suppression, and thus finally bring on disordered menstruation, and permanent ill-health. The mother should keep an account of dates and other particulars, and, for a few days before the expected low, should prevent all unusual exposure to light air, as at balls and evening entertainments; or to the injurious effects of damp men, thin dresses, or wet feet, When the function has once became healthily established, such extreme precautions need no longer be observed.

V. The Function of Menstruation.

The periodical recurrence of the menses, or courses, as they are termed, is one of the most important of the female organization. It consists of monthly exudation of fluid from the womb, the average quantity being from four to six ounces at each period. The duration of a menstrual period varied in different persons, the most common being from four to five days.

This fluid is eliminates from the uterine vessels, and is considered by some as a true secretion, and by others as discharge of pure blood. The latter opinion is the correct one. it is well known that menstrual blood does not coagulate like ordinary blood; and it has been demonstrated that the addition of a small quantity of acetic, or phosphoric, or indeed of almost any acid, to natural blood, will prevent its coagulation, and render it in its properties and appearance similar to menstrual blood.

In cases, however, in which the discharge is so profuse tat a portion of its coagulating constituent-the fibrine escapes without intermixture with the acid secretion, clots are formed. Thus it is proved that true menstrual blood, uncombined with the normally acid vaginal mucus, is like ordinary blood, and equally capable of coagulation; but that being immediately dissolved in the vaginal mucus, it is thus unenabled pass off in an uninterrupted course. And here may be observed one of those wise and beneficent contrivances of the Creator and Preserver of all, which so frequently excite the wonder and admiration of the physiologist. If no such solvent power as that of the acid vaginal mucus existed, the coagulated part of the menstrual secretion would, in consequence of its consistency, be prevented from passing along the vaginal canal, and would thus become a mass of dead and putrid matter, entailing consequence which would be fearful in the extreme.

VI. First Menstruation.

In our climate, from the 14th to the 15th year is by far the occurrence of the first menstruation. In hot climates it commence at an earlier, and in cold at a more advanced age. The occurrence of menstruation in this country earlier than he 14th year-at the 13th or 12th year; and also one or two years later than the 15th year-at the age of 17 or 18-is not sufficiently uncommon to justify any medicinal interference, should the health be otherwise good; although as a rule the former is too early, and the latter is too late. Menstruation commences considerably earlier in cities than in the country. It also occurs in the daughters of the rich, who have every comfort and luxury, everything which enervated and relaxes, and at the same time excites, at least nine months before it does in those of the industrious portions of the community in the most comfortable circumstances; and full fourteen months, on the average, before it appears in the poorest classes.

It is satisfactorily established, that, in every country and climate, the period of menstruation may be retarded in very many cases much beyond the average age, without producing ill-health or the slightest inconvenience. Probably the most successful mode of rearing girls, so as to bring them to the full perfection of womanhood, is to retard the period of puberty as much as possible, at least until the 14th or 16th year. In carrying out this suggestion, it is of the highest importance to discontinue the use of hot-baths, especially with the addition of mustard; also the indulgence in the use of hot, spiced, and stimulating food and drinks; living in over-heated and badly- ventilated rooms; excessive dancing, novel-reading, and late hours; for all these tend to occasion precocity, with frequent or copious or irregular menstruation. It is the duty, therefore, of the mother to enjoin on her daughter the frequent use of cold baths, free exercise in the open-air, or in cool, well-ventilated rooms, to provide plain and digestible diet for her, and to insist on abstinence from hot tea and coffee.

It is not always, however, that puberty advances gradually and normally. The establishment of menstruation may be long delayed, and then excessive languor, drowsiness, violent pain in the head or along the spine, and in the region of the bowels, with a feeling of weight, tenderness or heat, or a bearing-down sanction in the pelvic region, may alternate with feverish reaction, or with nervous symptoms, or even with spasms. In some girls it may be accompanied by derangements of the venous, biliary, or lymphatic systems, and, unless successfully treated at this period, these disturbances may be present, in a greater or less degree, during every subsequent recurrence of the menstrual discharge. The treatment of these abnormal conditions is described in subsequent sections.

Menstruation may occur for the first time prematurely, from a severe fall, violent jumping, great mental emotion, etc. In such cases there may be a considerable discharge, amounting, in extreme instances, to absolute flooding, and lasting for several days. It is important that these facts should be known, so that in such sudden and extreme instances the mother may not only maintain her own composure, and calm any excitement in the patient, but efficiently carry out the following measures.

TREATMENT. A few doses of Aconitum, if resulting from mental emotions, or of Arnica, if occasioned by a fall or any external injury, observing at the same time the following conditions: Rest, in the recumbent posture, light covering, a cool and well ventilated apartment, and cool drinks. These means will often be sufficient to arrest any serious consequences, or at least will suitably precede the more detailed treatment suggested in subsequent part of this manual, or the attendance of a homoeopathic practitioner.

Menstruation and the General Health. If the catamenial function, as it is termed, be well and healthily established, new impulses will be given to every nerve and organ of the body, and the system will acquire superior forces for resisting influences adverse to health. On the other hand, constitutional delicacy, carelessness, or improper treatment, may render this period extremely dangerous in the propagation of new forms of disease, or in the development of any latent disorder which has existed from birth. Hence, the first appearance of the menses should be looked forward to with some care anxiety on the part of the mother or guardian; and when they are long retarded, the general health disturbed, and the remedies and measures suggested in this work appear inefficient in bringing about the necessary change, a homoeopathic physician should be consulted without delay. False delicacy and improper treatment have needlessly undermined the health of thousands.

Edward Harris Ruddock
Ruddock, E. H. (Edward Harris), 1822-1875. M.D.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.

Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."