Aloes Compound
in Sterility
STERILITY ASSOCIATED WITH IRREGULAR AND SCANTY MENSTRUATION
(use of Aloes Compound as an adjuvant)
by
Mrs. ROSHAN R. BULSARA
M.S., M.D.. D.R.C.O.G, [ LOND ]M.R C.O.G. [LOND.]
Consulting Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Chief Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Kutchhi Jain Sarvodaya Kendra, Bombay
Almost every family physician in general practice has to treat quite a number of women who crave for a child. Most of these women with primary or secondary sterility complain of irregular menstruation with delayed periods (Oligomenorrhoea), often accompanied by scanty menstrual flow (Hypomenorrhea).
Women with persistent delayed menses are more likely to be sterile than women with more or less regular cycles. The longer the period of delay the greater are the chances of sterility. If not treated In time it may lead to secondary amenorrhoea.
Management:
The occurrence of irregular prolonged menstrual cycles by itself does not require ‘specific’ treatment. Suitable treatment has to be given when there are primary causes such as systemic disease, endocrine entities- especially hypothyroidism, malnutrition, psychic disturbances and unfavorable living or occupational environment. The treatment is essentially that adopted for amenorrhoea.
But when the problem of sterility is associated with irregular and/or scanty menstruation then suitable treatment has to be given for both sterility and menses.
Tests for ovulation may prove helpful. Endometrial biopsy at ‘high phase’ of menses and recording of basal temperature curves are current tests. It should be properly explained to the couple to have sexual relations at about the ovulation time, since this step offers maximum chances of a pregnancy.
In every case of sterility, the husband should also be examined carefully, especially his semen examination.
Usual measures, however, often fail in these cases and the women feel frustrated, particularly when there is primary sterility.
Selection of drug:
A compound of Aloes (Aloes Compound- Alarsin) was tried by us in these cases as an adjuvant to thyroid and Lugol’s iodine.
Pharmacology and Therapeutics:
Each tablet of Aloes Compound is composed of:
Aloes Indica 70 mg
Myrrh 70 mg
Manjishta 35 mg
Loha (iron) bhasma 30 mg
Hurmal 35 mg
Kamboji 30 mg
Jeevanti 30 mg
Aloes (Aloes Indica) : bitter, appetizer, digestive, laxative and emmenagogue. By stimulation of the pelvic circulation. It causes congestion of uterus and acts as an emmenagogue. Used in delayed or irregular menstruation occurring at the interval of two or three months, Aloes gives better results when given in combination with Myrrh.
Myrrh (Bal. Myrrh) : hematinic,appetizer and emmenagogue, excreted by the mucous membrane of the genito-urinary tract which it stimulates, disinfects and regulates. Used in amenorrhoea due to anaemia with iron bhasma, in painful and scanty menstruation.
Loha bhasma (iron bhasma): preparation of established value for anaemia and debility without the side-effects of the usual iron-therapy like constipation and blackening of teeth. Used along with Myrrh in irregular menstruation due to anaemia. By improving anaemia it helps in regularizing menstruation.
Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia): sedative, anti-inflammatory, tonic. It acts on uterine muscles through the nervous system. Used in scanty menstruation, amenorrhea after delivery, endometritis.
Hurmal (Pegunum harmala): antispasmodic. sedative and emmenagogue. Used in amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea.
Considering anxiety aspects in the treatment of these patients, the combination of Manjishta and Hurmal is particularly indicated in menstrual disorders of psychic origin as it acts through the nervous system.
Aloes were used with Myrrh and/or Iron in menstrual disorders before the introduction of hormones. In fact, the combination of Aloes et Myrrh and Aloes et Ferri was mentioned in British Pharmacopea for many years.
Selection of patients:
Fifty patients were selected from our consulting practice and from the Obstetric and Gynecological Department of Kutchhi Jain Sarvodaya Kendra during a period of about two years.
Most of them came for treatment of sterility and complained of irregular and delayed menses with or without scanty flow. Otherwise, they were normal except for obesity in some of them. They had been treated elsewhere before on usual lines without benefit.
Drugs and dosage adopted :
- Aloes Compound 1-2 tablets t. d. s. till the period and flow were satisfactory.
- Thyroid : gr. i.b.d.
- Lugol’s iodine: m iii b.d
The treatment was stopped when the period was satisfactory or the pregnancy was suspected.
Results:
| Type of | No. of | Improvement in M. C. | Conceived |
| sterility | cases | (regularity / flow) | |
| Primary | 45 | 40 | . 30 |
| Secondary | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Observations:
- Use of Aloes Compound with thyroid and Lugol’s iodine gave encouraging results in primary sterility associated with irregular and/or scanty menses.
- Those women who did not conceive had, however, better menstrual cycles and were thus mentally reassured not to lose hope for a possible pregnancy in the near future.
- No side effects were observed.
Summary:
Aloes Compound when used with Lugol’s iodine and thyroid in primary sterility associated with irregular and/or scanty menstruation gives encouraging results.
Acknowledgment
We are thankful to Manthan, Research Division of Alarsin Pharmaceuticals, Bombay – 400 023 for their co-operation in our trials with Aloes Compound.
REFERENCES
- Deshpande, J (1962): Use of Aloes in Irregular and Scanty Menstruation. Antiseptic, 59:12, Dec. 1962.
- Jungalwalla, B. N., Chinoy M. B. Kolhatkar, M. S. (1963). Use of Indian-Indigenous Drugs in Dysmenorrhoea: M. G. M. Medical College and M. Y. Hospital, Indore.