a Brief history of Gynecology / Obstetrics

Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are common non-cancerous (benign) tumors of the uterus. They grow from the muscular wall of the uterus and are made up of muscle and fibrous tissue.

A Very Brief history of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Diseases of the female genital tract have been known to exist since the time of the ancient Egyptians, the Old Testament and the early Greeks.

The Kahun papyrus [2000 B.C.], the papyrus of Ebers [1550 B.C.] as well as Ayurvedic books [1200 - 500 B.C.] included gynecologic diseases in their text. Deliveries were performed by midwives and relatives.

The Lex Caesara, a law passed in the seventh century B.C. in Rome, stated that all pregnant dying women should have abdominal surgery done in order to deliver the baby, hence the term "Caesarian" delivery. Much later, Ambroise Pare started a school for midwives in Paris.

The FIRST recorded case of gynecologic surgery took place in 1809 when Ephraim McDowell of Kentucky was called to deliver the 38 year old Ms. Crawford of suspected twins. The "twins" however turned out to be a LARGE OVARIAN TUMOR. McDowell took the risk of performing the first ovariotomy without anesthesia or aseptic precautions. McDowell performed twelve more ovariotomies without failure, an incredible feat in those days.

In 1855, the world's first hospital devoted to diseases of women was set up in New York by James Marion Sims.
Robert Lawson Tail [1845-1897], another pioneer gynecologic surgeon, was among the first to perform surgery for a tubo-ovarian abscess [1872], hysterectomy [1874] and ectopic pregnancy [1883], in addition to thousand of ovariotomies.


Statistics
Being a woman in the 21st century is a high risk profession as far as pelvic tumors are concerned.
An estimated 25% to 50% of all women eventually develop fibroids. Fibroids occur most frequent in ages 30 to 50.
Perhaps only 10% to 30% of the women with fibroids are symptomatic.
They are 2 to 3 times more prevalent in black women than white women.


Causes
• Exact cause is currently unknown.
• Fibroids are linked to estrogen.
• Evidence that progesterone may stimulate fibroid growth.
• Genetic predisposition.


The Contribution of Stress to Uterine Fibroid!
A connection between emotion and disease has long been suspected - physicians as early as the 2nd century A.D. observed a link between "melancholy" and physical illness. Researchers are finally pinpointing networks of biological systems that connect temperament with the progression of illness. Treating mental disorders could be a definite step toward slowing, even preventing physical disease, by following the principles of Homoeopathy.

In women with fibroids and endometriosis, stress may negatively affect hormonal balance and muscle tone upsetting the estrogen and progesterone balance and triggering excessive output of adrenal stress hormone, cortisone which in turn increases estrogen which is supposed to be the root cause of tumours in females.


We are living in 21st century, This is an economical era, people are more or less under stress.
Growth in the size of fibroid tumors is also seen during times of stress.
Stress, cortisone and antidepressant drugs increases estrogen level.


All these things can be brought to normal by homoeopathic medicines like.:
Arsenic Alb, Calc Carb, Conium Mac, Carcinocin, Hydrastis,Ignatia, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla, Staphysgaria, Thyroidinum.


The Hormone Replacement Dilemma
Women might be gambling with cancer:
• A menstrual cycle may occur.
• Use of Estrogen by itself has been linked to Cancer of the Epithelium.
• Use of Estrogen alone causes swollen breast, nausea, high blood pressure and fluid retention.

The medical community itself is divided on the issue. Most of these unpleasant, even dangerous consequences of menopause can be arrested quite easily, simply by bringing estrogen back up to more youthful levels by homoeopathic medicine like Arg Nit, Calc Carb, Conium Mac, Gels, Glonoine, Graphites, Jaborandi, Lachesis, Puls, Psorinum, Sulphur, Ustilago.


Impact of Fibroids on Pregnancies
• If the placenta is implanted mostly over a large fibroid it might not get adequate blood flow and the fetus may not grow well.
• PP hemorrhage because of poor retraction of uterus.
• Spontaneous abortion in first trimester [Apis M, Arnica M. Sabina, Scale Cor, Thuja Occ, Ustilago, Viburnum Op., Erigeron, Trillium P., Thlaspi bursa Pastoris].


Modern Management
Conservative.
Hormonal therapy.
Surgical: Myomectomy; Hysterectomy.

Every 10 minutes more than 12 hysterectomies are performed all around the world.
Women are sent to the surgeon like sheep to the slaughter house, but what about the women who are unmarried or recently married and are planning for future pregnancy?


A Few questions a woman should ask to the surgeon concerned when advised an operation:

1. Is the operation necessary?
2. What will happen if I don't get the operation?
3. Where can I get a second opinion?
4. What would be the cost of an operation?

All the answers come with in the range of homoeopathic medicine.


Homoeopathic Approach
Constitutional treatment alone will lead to the absorption or expulsion of an internal growth which has been produced by constitutional factors, the connection of which is apt to reverse the process.
A carefully chosen remedy in strict accordance with the principles laid down by Hahnemann: Aurum mur nat, Baryta carb, Calc carb, Conium Mac, Graphites, Iodium, Kreosotum, Lachesis, Medorrhinum, Nitri acid, Phophorus, Sabina, Secale cor, Thuja occ, Ustilago.

Organ remedies in physiological doses play an important role in increasing the body's natural force to a great extent: Erigeron, Fraxinus Americana, Trillium pend, Thlaspi bursa pastoris.

Dr. Pawan Pareek - Agra /India - drpawanpareek@rediffmail.com