Sometimes menstruation ceases abruptly. The monthly period may be arrested by cold, fright, or some illness. Earlier in life, the suppression would have been followed by a return of menstruation, after the removal of the cause; but now nature adopts this opportunity to terminate the function. Gradual termination is, however, the more frequent, and is attended with the least disturbance of health. In gradual extinction, one period is missed, and then there is return; a longer time elapses and there is, perhaps an excessive flow; afterwards some months may pass away without any reappearance; then there may be a scanty discharge, followed, perhaps, by flooding and at last the discharge becomes so scanty and so slightly colored as scarcely to attract notice, and then finally disappears (Ashwell). The reproductive powers cease with the termination of the function.
At this critical period there is not infrequent enlargement of the abdomen, which, though it may occur at earlier periods of life, is due to causes peculiar to this. It may arise from a highly sensitive and enfeebled state of the stomach consequent on sympathy with the deranged functions of the womb. Hence there is Indigestion, which does not prove amenable to ordinary remedies, but must be treated in view of the primary cause. Food and flatus accumulate, causing painful distention of the abdomen, and attended with loss of appetite, depression of spirits, constipation, drowsiness, and general weakness. Scanty or excessive discharge is also an accompaniment. Fibrous tumours of the womb are not uncommon, and by their mechanical pressure may cause painful defecation, Constipation, Piles, Diarrhoea, frequent and painful urination, varicose veins, and Oedema. Passive congestion, or enlargement of the womb, often found in those whose occupation requires much standing, causes floodings and debility. These disorders are attendant on the enlargement of the abdomen which is so frequently observed at this period.
The general opinion that the change of life is a perilous period for patients who enter it in a state of disease is, we believe, correct; more especially if any uterine or constitutional affection exists, for this is generally aggravated, the change prolonged, and the cessation retarded.
CAUSES OF DISORDERED FUNCTION. – Previous uterine disease; exhausting labours; anxieties arising from the rearing of a family, etc.; these trials tend to depress the forces, so that when the final efforts which close the sexual life have to be made, the nervous system gives way in one shape or another, and various aberrations ensue. Sea bathing during menstruation, abut the period of the menopause, will often cause abrupt cessation of the Function, and very severe suffering afterwards. From whatever cause arising, the consequences of disordered function are an irregular distribution of the blood, and an alteration in its character. In the absence of the previous normal attraction or efflux of blood to the uterus and pelvic viscera generally, the patient becomes liable to irregular determinations of blood, especially to the head. The old notion that menstruation acts a purifying process, is no doubt, to some extent, correct; hence when this function ceases the blood is liable to become charged with deleterious products. This is further liable to be aggravated by the fact that at the “change” the nervous distribution is reversed, and indigestion results from disordered or obstructed secretion, or excretion. Too little open-air exercise intensifies the evil by favoring torpor of the chief depurating organs – the lungs, the intestinal canal, the liver, the kidneys, and the skin. These, acting imperfectly, permit the products of effete tissues, and of mal-assimilated food, to accumulate in the circulatory fluid.
EPITOME OF MEDICINAL TREATMENT –
1. With derangement of the abdominal organs – Stomach bowels, liver, or kidneys – Arsenicum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Cocc., Lycopodium, Nux., Pulsatilla, Sepia, Sulphur, Tabac.
2. Headache – Belladonna, China., Cim., Ferrum, Gelsemium, Gloninum
3. Congestion of the chest. – Aconite, Arsenicum, Bryonia, VerbascumA
4. With flushes – Cim., Cocc., Ignatia, Lachesis, Sanguinaria, Sepia, Verbascum-A.
5. With excessive discharge, – See “Profuse Menstruation, Section 13.
LEADING INDICATIONS FOR THE PRINCIPAL REMEDIES –
Bryonia – Congestion of the lungs or chest; sense as of a stone lying in the stomach; suppression of the menses with bleeding at the nose; pain in the limbs and small-of-the-back.
China – Is most useful when great debility has resulted from excessive loss of blood; also when there is a feeling as if the head was opening and shutting.
Cimicifuga – Many of the sufferings incidental to the critical age are under the control of this remedy, especially the following:- pains under the left breast and in various parts of the left side; sinking at the stomach; headache, with aching in the eyeballs and limbs; depression of spirits, even to melancholy; irritability and restlessness.
Cocculus – Spasms or colic-like pains in the abdomen, with nausea and vomiting; giddiness and headache; painful menstruation, with discharge of coagulated blood.
Ferrum – For symptoms similar to those calling for China, especially if there be any tendency to oedema of the ankles, eyelids, etc.
Glonoine – Rush of blood to the head, with throbbing and noises in the head or ears; giddiness.
Ignatia – Nervousness; numbness in various parts; sinking sensation; flushings; constipation; sensation of half in the throat.
Lachesis – This remedy is recommended as a most valuable one for flushes, burning pains at the top of the head, sleeplessness, pains in the back, and other troubles common at the change; melancholy; symptoms worse after sleep.
Pulsatilla – General dyspeptic symptoms, nausea or vomiting, distention after a meal, pains in the left side, associated with irregular period, etc. It is especially suited for women of the temperament and complexion previously indicated.
Sulphur – Indigestion, Piles, itching and burning in the sexual organs, Leucorrhoea, and sweats, and flushing of climacteric women; also in constitution marked by a morbid activity of the skin.
Tabacum – Sense of wretchedness, sinking feeling at the stomach; nausea; palpitation; sensation of coldness; great muscular debility. These symptoms are often promptly met by Tabac., whether they occur at the change or during the monthly period.
ACCESSORY MEANS. – A light and nourishing, but not an extra diet, should be allowed, wine and malt liquors are generally unsuitable; for an accustomed discharge is about to cease, or has already ceased, and the system is liable to oppression, and the patients to complains of weakness; but this weakness is generally sensational rather than real. If, to remove the languor and inactivity present, stimulants and generous diet be allowed, some important organs will most likely suffer. Small quantities of spirits are sometimes prescribed to remove the distressing sensations commonly felt at this period, and are generally taken by the patient with great satisfaction: but their good effects are only temporary, while their continued use is often most mischievous. Veal, pork, salt meat, pastry, and made dishes should be avoided; but vegetable, in season, well cooked with beef mutton, white fish, or fresh game may be taken in moderation. Cocoa, or cold water, forms the best drink for breakfast, and one or two small cups of tea not infused beyond about two minutes, for the evening meal. The sleeping-room should be cool and well ventilated, and the patient should sleep on a mattress. The changes of the weather should be guarded against by appropriate dress, and exercise taken daily in the open air.
When the function of menstruation ceases or becomes irregular, we have seen that the perturbed nervous system induces disordered digestion, and the balance between secretion and excretion becomes lost; and unless the lungs, the digestive organs the kidneys, and the skin are maintained in efficient action, the various products which ought to be eliminated are retained, and greatly even seriously embarrass the whole animal economy.
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."