Modern medicine’s approach to women’s health can often feel harsh, clinical, and impersonal. Homeopathy, on the other hand, has long played a role in treating gynecological conditions, offering gentle and holistic care. Yet, many women today remain unaware that alternatives even exist. Why shouldn’t they have access to information that empowers them to make the best decisions for their own health? Whether choosing traditional treatments or exploring the gentler options homeopathy provides. In old journals, we can find stories of women finding relief through homeopathic remedies.
“The first homeopathic prescription made in my native State was for a gynecological case that received Pulsatilla and it was cured”. That’s how Prof. B. Frank Betts, M.D. from Pennsylvania chose to open his article for The Homeopathic Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pedology, published in 1892, Vol XIV. He further added, “Since that time, the efficiency of this remedy alone, when employed in the treatment of the functional disturbances of the reproductive organs of women, has been so frequently demonstrated that were it possible for us to receive to-day the accumulated testimony in its favor, it would be simply overwhelming. “
The Homeopathic Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pedology was already in publication by 1886 and appears to have continued through Volume XX, which was published in 1897. The Journal was primarily published in New York by various editors over its lifespan. Many surviving volumes have been digitized from archives like Harvard University and are now accessible through platforms such as the Internet Archive.
Journals provide valuable insights into the long history of treatments of various gynecological conditions using homeopathic remedies. The number of successfully treated women is truly overwhelming. In this article, I’ve chosen to highlight several cases that I believe remain relevant today.
In 1893, vol XV, J. S. Ayres M.D. described two cases of malposition of the fetus successfully treated with Pulsatilla:
„Mrs K, 22, primipara. In her last month of gestation, 10 AM found her in an armchair cushioned with pillows; had not been upon the bed for 3 days and nights, and unable to stand on account of pain, distress constant. The head of the fetus so tensely pressed against the lower ribs of the right side that it was impossible to press a finger between them. There was a great tenderness of that locality; general tenderness of the abdomen; tenderness and more or less congestion of the liver. Fever 100F. Acon 3d was given, to be followed in two hours by Nux vom 6th; 4 PM pressure much relieved. At 9 PM patient in the bed, the crowding relieved; 9 AM following morning found patient slept well. Prescribed Pulsatilla 6th to be taken every two hours; 4 PM found the head had descended width of the hand; Puls 6th continued once in three hours. The head could be distinctly traced, as it dropped down the side four to five inches every day until the proper position was reached, labor coming on, with the head in natural position, fourteen days later.“
„Mrs B carrying her fourth child. Saw her in the latter part of the eighth month, a small, spare woman, who in her former labors had given me much anxiety by invariably becoming delirious soon after labor had commenced, and declaring she could not and would not be delivered. Found her at this time feeble, nervous, abdomen quite tender, and, as usual, altogether discouraged, the motions of the child causing much suffering. The head was found occupying the left iliac fossa; the child, faced upward, was lying directly across the abdomen, the motions of the feet pushing out the thin parietes of the abdomen so as to be at times distinctly felt; seemingly a most unpromising position to be relieved by any remedy. Pulsatilla 6th was given once in three hours during the day, and Chamomilla at night for the great restlessness. After the fifth day, Pulsatilla was given as the sole remedy. The position was slowly changed and the distress from the motions relieved, so that when the labor came on, the head was found presenting and delivery accomplished without the usual mental excitement.“
Another case is from an unknown author, published in the Journal from 1895, Vol XVII
„Magnesia Phos. In Dysmenorea- A young lady, aged twenty-four, had been troubled every month since her puberty with severe pains in the uterus, back, and loins, beginning several hours previous and continuing during the first two days of the period, and so severe sometimes that they seemed almost unbearable. On the second day of the flow, she had hysteric fits. On the third day, when a membrane was discharged, the patient was free from pain, and she had a flow for six to seven days every month. Her husband, finding no chance of her bearing children, made up his mind to find a second wife. Her mother-in-law came to me and stated the fact. I reassured her saying that it was dysmenorrhea which was the obstruction in the way of conception. As soon as it was removed, she was sure to conceive. In December last, when she had this pain, I was sent for. I saw the lady almost mad with the pain. I gave her Mag phos 4x every ten minutes, and in an hour the pain ceased and flow began. I gave her five doses of the remedy, to be taken twice a day for three days. Next month I advised her to take a remedy three times a day, beginning a day before a period, and on the first day of period to take it every three hours. She had but very slight pain this time. The same process was repeated the third month, when she had no pain at all, the flow was normal and remained till fourth day, and since she has had no return of dysmenorrhea.“
Let’s now see how Dr Roger Morrison in his Desktop Guide, published in 1993, describes Magnesium Phos:
„The Magnesia Phosphorica patient is much less affected in the liver and therefore is more dynamic and less sour than the other Magnesias. The patient is on edge, irritable and oversensitive. This is one of the classical remedies for neuralgia. Also, when we find the conjunction of neuralgia and colic, this remedy covers nearly as many cases as Colocytnhis.”
Ultimately, I selected an article by Elias C. Price, M.D., of Baltimore, Maryland, which was published in a 1889 journal, volume XI. The piece presents a study of Pelvic cellulitis, which today can appear as a complication of PID, exploring its causes, symptoms, and treatments. Below are Dr. Price’s observations regarding the selection of remedies:
“If we wish to be successful, we must individualize each case. Routine or pathological treatment are both frequently deceptive. In about sixteen months, including parts of the years 1886 and 1887, I had sixteen cases under my treatment. I have administered Lilium tigrinum 3D and 4th dec. dil. more frequently than any other remedy. The next in frequency of administration is Belladonna. The other important remedies are Ver. Vir., Bryonia, Apis, Aconitum, Cantharis, Arnica, Lachesis, Cimicifuga, Hepar, Mercurius, Silica, Calcarea Carb, Colocynths, Terebinthinae, Conium maculatum.
Lilium tigrinum-Either anteversion or retroversion of the uterus, which is very low down in the vagina. Painful sensation of bearing down in the region of the womb, as if the whole pelvic content would issue through the vagina, if not prevented by pressure upward by hands against the vulva, or by sitting down. Pain in the uterine region as if the menses were coming on. There may be pains in the ovaries or uterine region, or in both, which are of any degree of intensity, from dull to sharp, but chiefly sharp. Both ovaries are affected, but the right most frequently.
Belladonna-Bearing down in sexual organs, as if everything would fall out there; worse on sitting bent and walking, better when standing and sitting erect. May have the Belladonna headache, nervousness and starting when about to fall asleep; when the attack comes on after erysipelas, or if there is much congestion, dryness of the throat and fauces, dilated pupils, redness and heat of the face. Burning in the region of the uterus or ovaries, lancinating pains, ovaritis or enlargement of right ovary. Bright red, premature and profuse menses, or else dark and offensive. If occurring after parturition, the lochia may smell offensive and feel hot to the parts.”
According to the “Symptoma” (https://www.symptoma.com/en/info/parametritis), parametritis is an inflammation of the parametrium, the connective tissue surrounding the uterus. This condition is often associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and can result from bacterial infections, particularly following childbirth, abortion, or gynecological procedures. Patients with parametritis typically present with pelvic pain, fever, and tenderness in the lower abdomen. This demonstrates that Dr. Price’s selection of remedies aligns closely with the characteristics of the disease.
Reviews of these historical cases remind us of the importance of homeopathy, back in time, and its role in providing real and gentle solutions to women who were facing various health challenges. Also, worth mentioning is the fact that the same remedies for the same purpose have been used for over 200 years. Reflecting on these stories is more than an exercise in history—it’s a tribute to women’s right to knowledge, choice, and personalized care that aligns with their unique needs.