Management of early menopause using traditional Persian medicine: A case report

Abstract

Interruption of the activity of ovary before the age of forty is called premature ovarian failure (POF) in which ovaries lose their follicular and hormonal functions. A decline in the number of ovules before the age of menopause is a physiologic phenomenon. In the present case report, treatment of a patient by POF was reported using traditional Persian medicine principles. In Persian medicine, each humor has its own temperament. A change in the temperament and quality or quantity of these humors causes the disease and therefore modifying the temperament is the milestone of treatment. The patient was a 39-year-old married woman with irregular menstruation cycles and finally, cessation of menstruation. In this period, the patient had vaginal dryness, severe dyspareunia, gastritis, and parasomnia. At first, some instructions were ordered to change her lifestyle, for example, a change in food intakes, enough sleep, and exercise. In addition, several medications were ordered including the digestive system electuary (Majoun Jahaz Hazemeh), Eyaraj Fighara capsule and powder containing Glycyrrhiza glabra roots, Foeniculum vulgare and white sugar, oil massage of the abdomen and flanks, and cupping of the uterus. At the end of treatment, complete rehabilitation was achieved and menstruation irregularity, gastritis, and parasomnia were resolved. Based on the results, if a patient follows the rules and has a healthy lifestyle, inappropriate humor is unable to appear, the healing can be stable, and this disease or similar melancholic disorders fail to occur.