The treatment practices of homoeopaths, phytotherapists and traditional healers with regards to female infertility in the KwaZulu-Natal province

Abstract

Background David Hoffmann (1997: 97) writes: "More than any of the other systems, the reproductive system shows the miracle of life at work. It is a miracle that we can wonder at, can analyse in terms of tissue and hormone function, write poetry about, but which in the end will leave us speechless." Reproduction is an important biological event in human beings, so anything that threatens reproduction, for example infertility, will trigger a significant response. Infertility is a disorder of the reproductive system and is defined as an inability to achieve and keep a pregnancy after a year or more of consistent, non-contraceptive and unprotected sexual intercourse involving a biological male and female of reproductive age. There are different treatment approaches to female infertility depending on several factors including the aetiology and the duration of the infertility. South Africa has different healthcare approaches, comprising allopathic medicine, complementary medicine and traditional medicine. Homoeopathy and phytotherapy fall under complementary medicine, while traditional medicine is also a recognised form of medicine that is culturally very accepted and popular. Aim of the study The study aimed to explore different treatment practices of homoeopaths, phytotherapists and traditional healers with regards to female infertility, with the objective of expanding the treatment options that are available for women diagnosed with infertility. Methodology A qualitative and explorative study design was utilised. Twelve participants were selected by virtue of their capacity to provide precise information, with the aim of increasing the efficiency of the study. Respondents were interviewed individually using an interview guide and each of the interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. The transcripts were analysed using Tesch's (1992) 8-step approach to qualitative research, whereby specific recurring themes are extracted from the data. Results After the 12 participants were interviewed, data was analysed, and four major themes emerged. The participants demonstrated a strong understanding of female infertility, including its causes, contributing factors and diagnostic procedures. The practitioners interviewed in the study described various treatments or management strategies for female infertility. Findings were that the main treatments of three modalities were: homoeopathy – Natrum muriaticum, Sepia officinalis and Pulsatilla pratensis; phytotherapy – Agnus castus, Actaea racemosa (black cohosh), and Asparagus racemosus (shatavari); traditional medicine – imbiza and isihlambezo. All participants confidently stated that their treatment methods were safe and had a high success rate in helping women achieve pregnancy and eventually parenthood. Conclusion The salient themes of this study strongly suggest that homoeopaths, phytotherapists and traditional healers have an in-depth understanding of female infertility with a wide range of trusted and safe treatment methods that have proven to help females achieve a longed-for pregnancy and parenthood. Based on these findings the researcher recommends that interprofessional interaction and referrals between conventional and CAM practitioners be broadened so that treatment practices evolved from this study can be pursued.