Naturopathic Medicine for the Management of Endometriosis, Dysmenorrhea, and Menorrhagia: A Content Analysis

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the recommendations of naturopathic medicine for the management of endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, and menorrhagia, drawing on traditional and contemporary sources. Design: Content analysis. Setting: Australia, Canada, and the United States of America (USA). Subjects: Contemporary sources were identified from reviewing naturopathic higher education institutions' recommended texts, while traditional sources were identified from libraries which hold collections of naturopathic sources. Sources were included if they were published from 1800 to 2016, were in English, published in Australia, Canada, or the USA, and reported on the topic. Included sources were as follows: 37 traditional texts; 47 contemporary texts; and 83 articles from naturopathic periodicals. Results: Across included sources, the most reported disciplines were herbal medicine, clinical nutrition, mineral medicines, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, and chemical-based medicines. Herbal medicines were extensively reported from all sources for the management of endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, and menorrhagia. Clinical nutrition was only recommended from contemporary sources for all three conditions. Mineral medicines were mentioned in both traditional and contemporary sources, but were only recommended for dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia. There were limited recommendations for homeopathy and hydrotherapy treatments in all conditions across all sources. Chemical-based medicines were only mentioned for dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia, and recommendations ceased after 1922. Recommendations for endometriosis were not present in any of the traditional sources, across all reported disciplines. Conclusions: The findings of this article provide insights into the documented historical and contemporary treatments within naturopathic medicine for endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, and menorrhagia. While philosophical principles remain the core of naturopathic practice, the therapeutic armamentarium appears to have changed over time, and a number of the original naturopathic treatments appear to have been retained as key elements of treatment for these conditions. Such insights into naturopathic treatments will be of particular interest to clinicians providing care to women, educators designing and delivering naturopathic training, and researchers conducting clinical and health service naturopathic research.

Criteria for the selection, evaluation and application of traditional knowledge in contemporary health practice, education, research and policy: A systematic review

“…It was also common for selection processes to place importance on TK with greater predominance in traditional sources, such as interventions appearing frequently within or across sources, and those with consistency of use over time as proxy measures for safety and potential efficacy (Alizadeh et al, 2017; Bae et al, 2019; Birch & Sherman, 1999; Buentzel et al, 2020; Chen et al, 2015, 2020; Connelly et al, 2020; De Vos, 2010; Flatt, 2016; Guo‐Jing et al, 2020; Han et al, 2017; Lardos et al, 2011; May et al, 2014; Sahranavard et al, 2014; Steel & Adams, 2011c; Thomas, 2011; Xia et al, 2020; Zhang et al, 2014). The perceived authority, authenticity and influential impact of the source on its tradition were also given importance during selection of TK in research and practice (; Adams et al, 2011; Adams, Schneider, et al, 2012; Alizadeh et al, 2017; Bae et al, 2019; Connelly et al, 2020; De Vos, 2010; Flatt, 2016; Jaric et al, 2014; May et al, 2012; Petran et al, 2020; Reid et al, 2018; Yang et al, 2019).…”

The Effectiveness of a Modified Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan Formulation (Gynoclear™) for The Treatment of Endometriosis: A Study Protocol for a Placebo Controlled, Double Blind, Randomised Controlled Trial.

“…Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan is the most common Traditional Chinese herbal medicine prescription used in the treatment of endometriosis 23 and includes ingredients commonly recommended by naturopaths and western herbalists. 24 However, the evidence of effectiveness for herbal medicine is limited. Systematic reviews of studies investigating Chinese herbal medicine for endometriosis have been inconclusive due to a lack of high-quality trials 25 and a previous study using raw herbs made into a decoction had issues with nding an inert placebo.…”

Integrating Lifestyle Focused Approaches into the Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea: Impact on Quality of Life

“…57 Hydrotherapy and heat therapy have been proposed as beneficial in pain reduction in cases of PD. 58 With regards to hydrotherapy, warm baths and hip/sitz baths have been speculated as therapeutic for painful menses, while Heat patches containing iron chips have also been suggested to provide relief of PD discomfort equal to ibuprofen. 59 Nevertheless, a recent systematic review and metanalysis revealed only little-to-moderate pain reduction in heat therapy.…”