Homeopathy and Period Pain

Posted on 9th November 2024

This blog continues the study on the use of Homeopathy in first aid, this time for Period Pain and Premenstual Tension.

You can obtain First Aid Kits from homeopathic pharmacies such as Ainsworths or Helios.  I also recommend a nice little book of charts to guide remedy selection published by Saltire Books.

If you wish more guidance, or to explore the potential benefits of Homeopathic treatment, please book a discovery call via my website https://allanpollock.co.uk/ or mail me at [email protected] and I will respond by return.

Period Pain & Premenstual Syndrome

For simplicity in this article I focus on Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).  To quote the late Dr Andrew Lockie  in his book, The Family Guide to Homeopathy, PMS is a ‘constellation of symptoms, physical and emotional which affect many women in days leading up to period.’

The female body is rather more complex than that of the male given the hormonal variations over a 28 day cycle.  This may be reflected in the fact that there are many more female than male homeopathic practitioners.  

The female menstrual cycle is a natural connection to the rhythm of life.  As indeed is its onset (menarche) and decline (menopause)   For many this rhythm is without problems but for some it can be debilitating. 

It is worth saying at the outset that it is always worth checking with your GP to rule out any organic problem.    But even if such as fibroids or endometriosis are diagnosed, homeopathic treatment can help.

Whilst pain relief and / or contraception are the common medical approaches, homeopathy – as a holistic form of medicine – takes a wider view.

Homeopathy – Remedies for Period Pain & PMS

There are a many homeopathic medicines, not only those to address specific symptoms but also those concerned with inherited predispositions (a pattern across the generations).   

Here I mention the key useful remedies in typical first aid kits.  Please note the contrasts (some energetic some not; some cold some hot and so on). 

• Calcarea Carbonica (mineral): physical symptoms predominate – low energy so worse for exertion; clumsy; cold sweats; breasts swollen and painful; craving for eggs and sweet things.
• Lachesis (animal): in contrast the Lachesis type is hot (flushes) and vigorous; vocal and inquisitive; worse in the morning; have a dislike of tight clothing around the neck or waist; painful breasts; libido increased; headache; better for warm applications.
• Sepia (animal): this type feels better for vigorous exercise*; otherwise feels tired; jaded and overwhelmed by family responsibilities (consequently uncharacteristically irritable towards loved ones); libido decreased; might feel nauseous in the morning.
• Pulsatilla (plant): someone with fragile emotions, sad and weepy; appreciates sympathy; better out in the open air (consequently finds busy shops unbearable); nauseous. 
• Natrum muriaticum (mineral): prefers their own company; tears are shed in private; they feel sad and irritable; fluid retention is a characteristic; like Pulsatilla better out of doors but in contrast dislike sympathy; 

 * Some years back a young lady came to see me with bad acne which was clearly hormonal in origin.  She often came from a session at the gym. I opened the case with Sepia from which she benefitted somewhat.  She sought a quicker fix than homeopathy (or I) could offer so didn’t continue treatment.  Looking back, the remedy might have been repeated at higher potency and possibly Folliculinum given (this is oestrogen in homeopathic potency).

Out of interest, the Homeopathic remedy Sepia is made from the ink of the cuttlefish. Calcarea Carbonica is calcium carbonate from the shell of the oyster. One likes and is graceful in movement the other less so, as the remedies reflect.

Homeopathy: How to Approach Prescribing

For more on the benefits of purchasing a first aid kit of basic homeopathic remedies, see my earlier blog Family Care with Homeopathy

Classical homeopathic prescribing considers the following:

1. Causation (in this case there may be no cause as such)
2. Location (physical pain or emotions or…)
3. Modalities (what makes the symptoms better or worse e.g. walking or lying down or hot application etc.)
4. Sensation (the nature or any pain or mood)
5. Concomitants (anything else going on?)

Consider homeopathic treatment like finding the right key for a lock, if after a taking the remedy for a short while (see below for method) there is no response, then try another. The remedy has to resonate with you.

The task is to match the characteristics of the remedy or medicine to your symptoms.  Symptoms reflect the body’s attempts to restore balance. 

The homeopathic remedy must reflect these symptoms and thereby stimulates a healing response. This is the principle of ‘like curing like’ (which is what the word Homeopathy means).  

Taking Homeopathic Medicines

Homeopathic medicines are easy to take.  They are absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth – not the gut.  The active component is absorbed onto sugar or milk of sugar (lactose) pill or tablet.  Allow the pill / tablet to dissolve in the mouth (chew the tablet to break it up).

An alternative approach is to put one or two pills into a bottle of water and shake (they may not dissolve straight away – that does not matter). Then sip on and off through the day (lightly shake each time). Hold in the mouth for a few seconds then swallow.

When you put the pill into water the pattern or resonance of the remedy transfers to the water. You can top up the water bottle without adding another pill.

If you see no improvement in 24-36 hours then you should retake your case and try another remedy. Once there is clear improvement then you can stop taking the remedy – the body will take over.

With regard to PMS start the remedy 24h before the anticipated symptoms.