Indications of Bryonia Alba in cases of Dysmenorrhea

The case

I came across a case of a 38-year-old female patient with severe lower abdominal pain on first day of menses. The pain had started in lesser intensity a day prior, and it worsened as the menstrual flow started. This was a case of dysmenorrhea.

First prescription and totality of symptoms

The abdominal pain was more on Right side. The pain was better by heat and pressure. Thus, I gave Mag phos 30 and then 200. Neither of the two potencies of Mag phos helped the patient. One of the other indications of giving mag phos was that it helped this patient during previous episodes of dysmenorrhea.

This dosage of mag phos was given in rapid succession - every 15 minutes to 20 minutes since the pain was quite severe; so much that the patient was finding it extremely difficult to perform her daily activity.

Second prescription

Since the first prescription did not work, I decided to inquire further. The patient described the pain as if someone was pulling the area from within. On observing, the patient while lying down and walking, was holding the right side of her lower abdomen; indicating that the pain was worse from motion. This symptom was verified true on inquiring.

The patient also said that the pain was better by pressure. By now, anyone of us who would have gone through the B.H.M.S would have been reminded of giving Bryonia for such modalities!

Analysis, introspection and review of literature

But wait, Bryonia for dysmenorrhea?

How is it possible that such a homeopathic remedy would work for dysmenorrhea?

Have I ever come across such a reference in my past and any other learning experiences? NO!

As the modalities matched, I prescribed Bryonia 1m none the less; about 3-4, 2 hourly doses of Bryonia 1m. This homeopathic medicine gave ample relief to the patient; so much so that the patient could resume her work.

By now, I was the happiest homeopathic doctor in the whole world!!!

Thanks to my recent learning from Dr Manish Bhatia's Master Homeopathy Academy, I decided to consolidate my learning. I did so by referencing Bryonia through our materia medica for this set of symptoms of dysmenorrhea.

It took me about an hour and there I was; reading T. F. Allen's Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica

It read:

Sexual organs: Very severe pain in the region of right ovary, as though there was a sore spot which caused an irritation and a dragging; this pain extended down the thigh and at rest. Pain in the right ovary aggravated by touch.

I also checked The Guiding Symptoms of our Materia Medica by C. Herring

It read:

Female sexual organs: Severe pain in region of right ovary, like from a sore spot, causing an irritation and dragging; pain extended down the thighs; while at rest; pain aggravated by touch.

Materia Medica by William Boericke

It read:

Female: Pain in right ovary as if torn, extending to thigh(Lilium, Crocus).

Materia Medica Pura by Dr Samuel Hahnemann

It read:

Introduction: From the rich treasury of symptoms it causes in the healthy human body, a number of artificial morbid states may be put together, of which we may happily avail ourselves for the homoeopathic relief of many ailments of daily occurrence, especially certain fevers, and some kinds of the so-called abdominal spasms of the female sex. Hence it's remedial powers are of great extent.

Complete repertory:

Female Genitalia:

Pain, General, Ovaries, Right: Bryonia 2 marks;

Pain ovaries, Menses agg, during: Bryonia 1 mark;

Pain, ovaries, lying ameliorates, painful sides on: Bryonia 2 marks

To make sure that I had treated dysmenorrhea, I checked the literature for 'pain in the region of ovaries during menses' and I found it's reference on the Cleveland clinic website.

The patient was relieved but I am certain that this article will raise some questions (and it must) such as

• Will bryonia work in all cases dysmenorrhea?
• Are there other remedies for dysmenorrhea?
• And many more

I wish for you to put up all your questions in the 'comments section' so that it will help me write the next article, as-well as in prescribing better in future cases.

- Dr Keyur Vakharia, MD(Hom) Psychiatry

• Consulting Homeopath at Health With Homoeopathy Clinic, Mumbai
• Founder of HomeoMitra - Social media content designing for homeopaths and TCAM practitioners