Evaluation of general body temperament and uterine dystemperament in amenorrhoea: a cross-sectional analytical study

Amenorrhoea in women of reproductive age may be an indication of an undiagnosed and chronic condition. The concept of temperament is a fundamental component of health preservation and diagnosis of various disease conditions including amenorrhoea in Unani medicine. Dystemperament is the commonest cause of various diseases. Therefore, general body temperament and uterine dystemperament in amenorrhoea was determined.

A prospective, single-centre, cross-sectional observational study from June to November 2019 was conducted in 80 patients of reproductive age with amenorrhoea ≥60 days. Validated questionnaire for the assessment of women's general body temperament and clinical features of uterine dystemperament was used. The data were analysed by appropriate statistical analysis.

The age of patients with amenorrhoea ranged from 14 to 50 years. The most prevalent general body temperament was cold (57.5%) and wet (60%). Cold and wet general temperament was more common at the age of 21-30 years (30 and 36.25%), 60-90 days of amenorrhoea (33.75 and 32.5%) and body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m² (47.5 and 50%). The most prevalent uterine dystemperament was cold and dry (95%). A significant correlation between general temperament with age, amenorrhoea and BMI >23 kg/m² was noted. Moreover, the cold temperament of the body had a significant correlation with cold uterine temperament (r=0.864, p<0.001).

This study corroborated the claim of Unani scholars that cold and wet general and uterine temperament is more common in amenorrhoea and obesity. However, amenorrhoea can also occur in normal and other temperaments.