The efficacy of homoeopathic simillimum treatment in menorrhagia

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of homoeopathic simillimum treatment in menorrhagia, with reference to the patient's perception to the treatment as well as the amount and duration of uterine bleeding in order to determine the role of homoeopathic simillimum treatment in menorrhagia. Thirty patients were selected by convenience sampling from the greater Durban area in response to various advertisements. The patients were selected according to certain criteria including the confirmation of the diagnosis and exclusion of organic pelvic disease, infections and any complications of pregnancy as the cause of the heavy uterine bleeding by a registered gynaecologist. Once the patient was accepted as part of the study and a consent form signed, a complete homoeopathic case history and physical examination was done by the researcher. The patient then completed the first questionnaire with the researcher during the initial consultation so as to establish a baseline before treatment commenced. A menstrual chart/calender was given to the patient to record the duration and pattern of the menstrual cycle. The patient completed a new questionnaire at each follow-up for a period of three months. The study followed a double-blind protocol with a neutral member randomly dividing the sample into a control and treatment group by using a table of random numbers. The control group received placebo treatment. The patient was reassessed monthly and the questionnaire was collected by the researcher.