A STUDY ON THE FREQUENCY OF COMMON SYMPTOMS OF HUMORS EXCESS AND UTERINE TEMPERAMENT IN PATIENTS WITH OLIGOMENORRHEA

Background: Oligomenorrhea is one of the most common menstrual disorders in women at reproductive age with different complications. Oligomenorrhea is referred to as "Ehtebas-e Tams" in the Persian medicine (Iranian Traditional Medicine). In Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) textbooks, temperament (Mizaj) and humors have an important role in diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Since the humors excess is one of the causes of Ehtebas-e Tams, this study examined the frequency of common symptoms of humors excess and uterine temperament in these patients. Materials and Methods: This research is a descriptive case study. One-hundred fifty women aged 18-45 years suffering from oligomenorrhea who referred to midwifery clinic during 2013-2015 were selected through convenience sampling method. In addition to the patients' demographic characteristics form, a uterine temperament questionnaire and humors excess checklist were completed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 24.6±5.1 years. The majority of married patients, had a cold (66.1%, 74 patients) and wet (62.5%, 70 patients) uterine temperament. The most common symptoms of humors excess in patients were related to black bile (61.25%) and phlegm (59.28%). Severe anger, worry about future, and excessive thinking were the most common symptoms of black bile and body coldness, drowsiness after eating, and excessive sleeping were the most common symptoms of phlegm. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, and observing the prevalence of symptoms of humors excess in patients with oligomenorrhea, it is suggested that other studies be conducted to determine the standard questionnaire of the humors excess and distemperament in these patients. Keywords: Oligomenorrhea, Iranian traditional medicine, Temperament, Humors