A Study on the Effectiveness of Homoeopathic Medicines in the Treatment of Menopausal Hot Flushes Using Kent’s Repertory
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ahr.2026.11.2.6Keywords:
Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS), Individualized Homoeopathy, Kent’s repertory, Menopausal Hot Flushes, Repertorization, Vasomotor Symptoms (VMS)Abstract
Background: Hot flushes are transient episodes of heat sensation, flushing, sweating, palpitations, and anxiety, affecting approximately 85% of menopausal women. They increase risks of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, depression, productivity loss, and healthcare use. A global study reported hot flush prevalence of 67% in Europe, 68% in the US, and 62% in Japan, while an Indian Menopause Society study reported 75% vasomotor symptoms in India. Their high prevalence and concerns regarding long-term hormone therapy risks necessitate safer, individualized treatments. Objectives: The study evaluated individualized homeopathic treatment for menopausal hot flushes using Kent’s Repertory, assessed improvement with the Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS), and identified indicated remedies. Materials & Methods: An open prospective study was conducted on 46 menopausal women at the National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata. Individualized medicines were prescribed using Kent’s Repertory. HFRDIS scores were assessed at baseline, 3rd and 6th months. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Results: Forty-six patients received individualized homeopathic treatment guided by Kent’s Repertory; 6 dropped out, and data from 40 were analyzed. HFRDIS scores declined from 60.45 (±9.47; SE 1.33) at baseline to 45.93 (±11.08; SE 1.32) at 3 months and 29.33 (±15.36; SE 2.35) at 6 months. Repeated measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant time effect (p < 0.001), with a large effect size (partial η² = 0.805), explaining 80.5% of the variance. Lachesis, Sulphur, Phosphorus and Sepia were most frequently prescribed. Conclusion: Individualized homoeopathic treatment guided by Kent’s Repertory significantly improved menopausal hot flushes. Larger randomized controlled trials are warranted.
References
Carpenter JS. The Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale: A tool for assessing the impact of hot flashes on quality of life following breast cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2001;22(6):979-989. doi:10.1016/S0885-3924(01)00353-0.
Bansal R, Aggarwal N. Menopausal hot flashes: A concise review. J Midlife Health. 2019;10(1):6-13. doi:10.4103/jmh.JMH_7_19.
Nachtigall L. Hot flashes. Menopause. 2014;21(6):551-552. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000000250.
Kumar S, Padubidri VG, Daftary SN, editors. Howkins & Bourne, Shaw's Textbook of Gynecology. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2018. p. 86-88.
Whiteley J, DiBonaventura MD, Wagner JS, Alvir J, Shah S. The impact of menopausal symptoms on quality of life, productivity, and economic outcomes. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2013;22(11):983-990. doi:10.1089/jwh.2012.3719.
National Institutes of Health. WHI study data confirm short-term heart disease risks of combination hormone therapy in postmenopausal women [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health; 2021 Mar 31 [cited 2025 Jan 16]. Available from: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/whi-study-data-confirm-short-term-heart-disease-risks-combination-hormone-therapy-postmenopausal-women
Burnett JC. The Change of Life in Women: And the Ills and Ailings Incident Thereto. United Kingdom: Homoeopathic Publishing Company; 1898.
Chowdhury S, Bandyopadhyay M, Bhattacharya S, Chakrabarty S, Mitra K. Age at menopause and its determinants in Bengali Hindu women of West Bengal, India. Am J Hum Biol. 2019;31(3):e23120.
Dasgupta A, Biswas D, Barik S, Saha S, Barman S, Ghosh S. Menopausal age and associated factors in Rajbanshi women of North Bengal, India. J Midlife Health. 2020;11(1):40-45.
Santoro N, Epperson CN, Mathews SB. Menopausal symptoms and their management. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2015;44(3):497-515.
Joshi KB, Babariya NM. Efficacy of homoeopathic medicine Amyl Nitrosum, Glonoine, Sanguinaria Canadensis and Sulphuric Acidum in hot flushes of menopause. Int J Adv Eng Manag. 2022;4(2):1038-1052.
Andrade DCDS, Carmona F, Angelucci MA, Martinez EZ, Pereira AMS. Efficacy of a homeopathic medicine of Capsicum frutescens L. (Solanaceae) in the treatment of hot flashes in menopausal women: A phase-2 randomized controlled trial. Homeopathy. 2019;108(2):102-107.
