VII. Delay of the First Menstruation. (Amenorrhoea-Emansio mensium.)
We have before stated, that the period at which the “Change” first takes place varies in different constitutions and under different circumstances, and not active medicinal means should be used so long as the health continues good. But when all the external sings of womanhood have appeared, and menstruation does not occur, but there are aching, fullness, and heaviness of the head, bleeding at the nose, palpitation of the heart, shortness of the breath of slight exertion, weariness of the limbs, pains in the small of the back, in the lower part of the bowels, and down the inside of the thighs: these may be regarded as so many indications that nature is seeking to establish this important function. Under such circumstances, a selection of one or more of the following medicines may hasten the necessary change.
CAUSES. Retention of the menses, giving rise to the symptoms just noted, rarely occurs in healthy and vigorous persons, but usually follows as a consequence of original delicacy of constitution or of some long-standing chronic affection. But it is important that the cause should, if possible, be definitely ascertained.
Occasionally there is original defective formation of the vagina or of the uterine organs; or some mechanical obstruction may prevent the passage of menses (retention mensium). These causes can only be determined and relieved by examination and surgical means. If no such cause exist, the delay is due to want of development at the time of puberty, and may be benefited, or the concomitant symptoms relieved, by the following remedies.
TREATMENT. Pulsatilla. Pains in the abdomen and across the back; hysterical symptoms, alternate laughing and crying, nausea and vomiting, palpitation of the heart, loss of appetite, and indigestion. This medicine is chiefly indicated in girls of light complexion, fair hair, and a timid, easily vexed, yet uncomplaining disposition.
Cimicifuga Racemosa. Delay from deficient nervous energy in the ovaries, with excess in other organs, manifested by extreme nervousness, hysteria, heavy headache, restlessness, sleeplessness, chorea, etc.; pain under the left breast, and in the left side generally, rheumatic pains, etc.
Ferrum. Debility, languor, palpitation, indigestion, sometimes Leucorrhoea, very pale complexion, puffiness of the face and ankles, and other anaemic and chlorotic symptoms (See Chlorosis). Senecio is also a good remedy.
Phosphorus. For delicate constitutions, with sensitive lungs, and a predisposition to disease of those organs. Sometimes, in such cases, instead of the menstrual discharge, expectoration of blood in small quantities occurs, with cough, and pains in the region of the chest. See also Bryonia, further on; and the section on “Vicarious Menstruation,” p.43.
Calcarea Carbonica. Scrofulous patients, with chronic indigestion, heartburn, enlarged glands, etc.
Arsenicum. Poor appetite, great prostration and emaciation, swelling of the ankles, feet, or face, etc. Sepia, Iodium, Sulphur, or Secale, etc., may also be required.
For the concomitant symptoms:
Nux Vomica. Congestive morning headache, constipation, frequent acute indigestion, spasms, etc. This remedy is well suited to patients of dark complexion, energetic, vehement, and irritable disposition, and who take too little out-door exercise.
Bryonia. Bleeding from the nose and spitting of blood instead of the menstrual discharge, with hard, dry cough, stitches in the chest, and constipation.
Veratrum. Cold hands and feet; hysteric and fainting fits; nausea, vomiting, and tendency to diarrhoea.
Administration. As a general rule, the selected remedy should be administered in the morning on rising, one or two hours before dinner, and on retiring to bed. When the symptoms are acute, hourly, or every three or four hours.
ACCESSORY TREATMENT. It is very important that the feet be kept warm and dry, and that comfort rather than fashion should determine the arrangements of the entire clothing. It is especially necessary that the abdomen be kept warm; the necessity of wearing drawers, to protect it from cold, must therefore be obvious. Too studious and sedentary habits should be corrected; exercise taken out of doors, particularly in the morning; walking, running, thee games of battledore and shuttlecock, trundling the hoop, and other exercises, are powerful auxiliaries for obtaining health of body and vigour of mind. These exercises are likely to be much more efficacious if practiced in the country, in suitable weather, and where the air is pure and bracing. If pleasant company can be added to the charms afforded by diversity of views and landscapes, the advantages will be yet greater. All these means should be aided by a carefully selected diet, consisting of easily digestible animal and vegetable food. Made-dishes, high seasoning, and spices, also the use of tea and coffee, and all stimulating drinks, are to be avoided.
Cocoa forms a suitable and nourishing beverage. The nibs should be soaked in water over night, and the next morning boiled briskly in the required quantity of water, for two hours, strained off, and the liquid served up with boiling milk. The common practice of stewing the nibs detracts from the otherwise pleasant flavour.
AMENORRHOEA AND GENERAL ILL-HEALTH. It is most important to recognise the connection, as cause and effect, between general deranged health and the absence of menstruation. The function of menstruation, like the other functions of the body, is best performed hen the system is in health. Now health is not promoted by redundancy or excessive action, any more than by debility or enfeebled action; consequently, the exhibition of stimulants will not hasten the menstrual function, even in cases of debility, unless attention be paid to the restoration of the general of the patient.
With these views we have prescribed Pulsatilla, Ferrum, Phosphorus, Cimic., etc., not as mere emmenagogues, but rather as efficient and well-tried agents for aiding to remove that defect, in the health, or general functional inactivity of the body, which is the real cause of the evil The experience of all homeopathic physicians proves that the effect of our treatment in cases of delayed menstruation is the improvement of the general health and spirits of the patient, and that Amenorrhoea at length disappears as evidence that the cure is complete.
CAUTION. And here let it be observed, once for all, that the attempt to remedy any defect in menstruation by spirits, decoctions of herbs, by the pills which are procured with such fatal facility at druggists’ shops, or by any kindred means, deserves the strongest reprehension. The practice is fraught with life-long danger to the system, and is therefore emphatically to be condemned. It must be distinctly understood that unless it is abandoned the patient must be prepared for an ultimate increase in the very suffering from which she thus vainly seeks relief.
VIII. Suppressed Menstruation. (Amenorrhoea-Suppressio mensium.)
When the menstrual flow has fairly been established as part of the economy, it is yet liable to be suppressed.
CAUSES. The cause may be a physiological one, such as pregnancy; frequently, however, it is consequence of weakness, resulting form excessive loss of blood, chronic and acute disease, sexual excesses, and mechanical obstructions; or it may occur suddenly during the flow from exposure to cold and damp, as by getting the feet wet, or eating ices; or from violent emotions of the mind, such as anger, terror, etc., or from any other cause which abruptly shocks the system. Perhaps the most common and dangerous cause of sudden suppression is exposure to cold and damp air, sitting upon the grass or ground, immersion of the feet, hips, and body in cold baths when, over-heated, or leaving off any accustomed garment.
Wearing thin-soled shoes is a most fruitful cause of the decay of female beauty, and the decline of female health; the injury from tight-lacing, although considerable, being nothing in comparison with that resulting form wearing thin-soled shoes in all kinds of weather. A large number of girls are apt to have “a check” from the slightest chill or exposure during the monthly period. Happily, the effects of some at least of these causes may be diminished by the frequency of their occurrence, so that those accustomed to bathe may go into the sea during menstruation with perfect impunity; habitual exposure to the casualties of life necessarily diminishing their injurious impressions. Sudden suppression during the period occasions the most acute suffering and may develop alarming symptoms in the nervous or circulatory systems, or in both; but chronic is far more serious, as it points to deeper constitutional cause
TREATMENT. 1. Sudden Suppression during the flow. The patient should be immediately placed in hot hip-bath, and afterwards retire to a warmed bed. The free action of the should be promoted by a few doses of Aconitum, at short intervals, and by frequent droughts of cold water. The success of this treatment, however, depends on the promptness with which it is adopted. Pulsatilla, Cimic., or Dulcamara may be required; the last if suppression be the result of damp, with a concomitant eruption on the skin.
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."