ACCESSORY TREATMENT – Everything that tends to promote the general health should be sedulously attended to; all mental worry and undue physical exertion should be avoided as much as possible, and the organs concerned in the menstrual function should never be exposed either to extremes of heat or cold. All the accessory measures which we have recommended for delay of the menses are equally applicable to menstrual irregularity. (See page 28-30),
12. – VICARIOUS MENSTRUATION
Sometimes absent or scanty menstruation is accompanied by spitting or even vomiting of blood, bleeding from the nose, Leucorrhoea, or some other periodical discharge, which seems to be substituted for the true menses, and hence is said to be vicarious.
No great anxiety need be excited by these abnormal discharges; but it is very advisable, on account of the alarm and disagreeable sensations which they occasion to the patient and her friends, to take immediate and active steps to check their occurrence, and promote the natural periodic flow.
MEDICINAL TREATMENT – Bryonia, Ferrum, and Hamamelis are the most suitable remedies for this trouble.
LEADING INDICATIONS FOR THESE AND OTHER REMEDIES.
Bryonia. – Pinching and uneasiness in the abdomen, as if the menses would appear, spitting of blood or bleeding at the nose, stitches in the chest, cough, etc., are indications for this remedy.
Collinsonia. – Vicarious discharge from piles, constipation, weight and itching in the rectum.
Ferrum. – Spitting of blood, pale lips and face, easily flushed, with great debility, vertigo, ringing in the ears, and palpitation.
Hamamelis – Passive bleeding from nose, stomach, lungs or bowels; tenderness of or irritation in the region of the ovaries, and varicose condition of the veins.
Ipecacuanha. – Vomiting of blood, dry cough, difficult of breathing, frequent sneezing, and headache as if the brain was bruised through all the bones of the head.
Pulsatilla – Bleeding from the bowels, tendency to diarrhoea, difficulty of breathing at night, loose cough, white leucorrhoea, etc.
Senecio – Spitting of blood, troublesome loose cough, diarrhoea, chronic nasal discharge, and sleeplessness.
ACCESSORY TREATMENT. – The accessory measures are similar to those recommended in the preceding Sections, especially in that Section treating of suppression of the menses.
13. – PROFUSE MENSTRUATION (Menorrhagia)
DEFINITION – The term “Menorrhagia” literally means the bursting forth or immoderate flow of catamenia; the quantity of blood lost during the period being excessive, or the menstrual period prolonged, or of too frequent recurrence. In many cases all these conditions are present: the discharge is excessive, too prolonged, and the returns too early. Menorrhagia is most common about the time of the final cessation of the menses, probably form temporary congestion of the uterus, and probably also of the ovaries, especially in those who have had many children, or abortions. It is of great importance, both on account of its comparatively frequent occurrence, and the serious consequences which follow it. It should be remembered, however, that it is not a disease of itself, but only a symptom of a disordered state of the constitution, or of the organs of generation.
It is difficult to determine, except approximately, the quantity of discharge that should occur at each monthly period; but it varies considerably according to constitution, temperament, habits and climate. Robust, plethoric females, who eat abundantly, and drink wine, can bear a comparatively large discharge without inconvenience; whilst delicate patients, of relaxed constitutions, would quickly suffer seriously from excessive discharges. The monthly loss, however, should never be such as to occasion debility and general ill-health. There is a deep-rooted and most dangerous notion current, that, however great the discharge may be, if it occur regularly, it is in perfect accordance with the economy of nature. When a medical man directs a parent’s attention to the debility and ill-health following an habitually copious flow, he frequently receives the answer. “She is always so.” The fact of a girl being always so is the very reason for adopting such measures as may, if possible, prevent her ever being so.
CAUSES – These may be local or general. Local causes of Menorrhagia are numerous, or which the following are a few: chronic congestion, inflammation, or hypertrophy of the uterus or its cervix, or of the ovaries; a granular condition of the mucous membrane lining the cavity of the uterus; subinvolution or inversion of the uterus; polypi; tumors; retention of a portion of the placenta or of the foetal membranes; malignant or other diseases of the womb, etc.
Too frequent sexual indulgence is another cause; this tends to profuse menstruation by producing irritation and over-excitation of the womb and its appendages.
General causes are – acute and chronic disease; severe inflammatory affections; tubercular deposits; and Nephritis or disease of the kidneys. The last is an important cause; and in persistent cases of Menorrhagia, especially with oedematous ankles and eyelids, the urine should be examined for albumen. In tuberculosis, Menorrhagia is most likely to occur in advanced stages of the disease, and in those who have previously borne children. In renal mischief, the blood, being deprived of its albumen, readily exudes through the wills of the capillaries. Other general causes are – residence in a tropical or malarious climate, debility from prolonged nursing (a very common cause); long continued mental trouble, too confined or unhealthy occupation, luxurious living, chronic indigestion, hepatic congestion, disease of the heart etc. The above and kindred conditions may cause profuse menstruation by giving rise to a congested state of the womb and adjacent organs, and by causing a morbid condition of the blood. Regular excessive monthly discharge, profuseness being the only point complained of, points to some grave constitutional cachexia as the cause. All such cases should be under the best professional care, so that, if possible, the systemic fault may be corrected.
“It is by no means unusual for a case of Dysmenorrhoea to merge into one of profuse Menstruations. When the period arrives, the flow is retained for some hours with great suffering. Finally, the spasm, or obstruction, is removed and the discharge becomes excessive, or haemorrhagic.” – Ludlan.
EPITOME OF MEDICINAL TREATMENT –
1. During the discharge – Arnica, Croc., Erig., Hamamelis, Ipecac., Pulsatilla, Sabin., Secale
2. In the inter-menstrual period. – Arnica, Bromium, Arsenicum, Calcarea carb., China, Cim., Ferrum, Platina, Phosphorus, Sabin., Secale, Sulphur
LEADING INDICATIONS FOR THE PRINCIPAL REMEDIES.
Arnica – This medicine should prove useful when the discharge is the result of a fall or blow.
Arsenicum – Bloody leucorrhoeal discharge after the cessation of the periods, resulting from chronic inflammation of the uterus. Is seldom indicated during the continuance of the menstrual flow.
Calcarea Carb. – Profuse menstruation occurring too early, in scrofulous patients, with a tendency to corpulency, and troubled with itching, burning leucorrhoea. Is used during the inter- menstrual period only.
China – Irregular haemorrhage, the blood being dark and thick, flowing too long, with burning at the top of the head, buzzing in the ears, debility, faintness, etc. Employed chiefly between the catamenial periods.
Crocus – Dark-coloured clotted blood, too frequent and abundant discharge, painful menstruation, yellowish color of the face, a feeling as if there was gauze before the eyes. it is given during the flow only.
Ferrum – Menstruation too frequent, too profuse, and lasting too long in weakly persons with flushed faces, the blood being sometimes thin and pale, and at other times thick and dark. Is usually given during the periods.
Hamamelis – Excessive discharge of darkish blood, especially when arising from undue ovarian excitement. This medicine may be administered both during the flow and afterwards.
Ipecacuanha – May be given during the discharge when it is of a bright-red colour, and there is a tendency to nausea and difficult of breathing, with great pressure in the region of the womb.
Platina – medicine is of great service in cases due to much ovarian excitement, the discharge consisting of dark, thick, uncoagulated blood, with pressure pains from the back to the groins, and great sensitiveness. It is of more efficacy when given between than during the menstrual periods.
Phosphorus – In the inter-menstrual times in patients having a consumptive tendency, with much mental and sexual excitement, this medicine may be administered with advantage.
Pulsatilla is sometimes of great use when the blood is thick and black, or pale and watery, especially at the critical age. Headache, sadness, and melancholy, and shifting in the back and abdomen, are indications for the employment of this remedy. It may be used both during and after the cessation of the discharge.
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."