Western herbal medicine consultations for common menstrual problems; practitioner experiences and perceptions of treatment

Fisher, C; Adams, J; Frawley, J; Hickman, L; Sibbritt, D

Western herbal medicine consultations for common menstrual problems; practitioner experiences and perceptions of treatment

Fisher, C

Adams, J

Frawley, J

Hickman, L

Sibbritt, D

Permalink

Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Phytotherapy Research, 2018, 32 (3), pp. 531 - 541
Issue Date:: 2018-03-01

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Accepted ManuscriptAdobe PDF (688.64 kB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Fisher, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6543-3232	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Adams, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-5717	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Frawley, J https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6037-0140	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hickman, L https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5116-6559	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sibbritt, D https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3561-9447	en_US
dc.date.available	2020-05-25T19:16:45Z
dc.date.issued	2018-03-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Phytotherapy Research, 2018, 32 (3), pp. 531 - 541	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0951-418X	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/123576
dc.description.abstract	Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. To explore the prevalence with which Australian Western herbalists treat menstrual problems and their related treatment, experiences, perceptions, and interreferral practices with other health practitioners. Members of the Practitioner Research and Collaboration Initiative practice-based research network identifying as Western Herbalists (WHs) completed a specifically developed, online questionnaire. Western Herbalists regularly treat menstrual problems, perceiving high, though differential, levels of effectiveness. For menstrual problems, WHs predominantly prescribe individualised formulas including core herbs, such as Vitex agnus-castus, and problem-specific herbs. Estimated clients' weekly cost (median = $25.00) and treatment duration (median = 4–6 months) covering this Western herbal medicine treatment appears relatively low. Urban-based women are more likely than those rurally based to have used conventional treatment for their menstrual problems before consulting WHs (p =.001). Only 19% of WHs indicated direct contact by conventional medical practitioners regarding treatment of clients' menstrual problems despite 42% indicating clients' conventional practitioners recommended consultation with WH. Western herbal medicine may be a substantially prevalent, cost-effective treatment option amongst women with menstrual problems. A detailed examination of the behaviour of women with menstrual problems who seek and use Western herbal medicine warrants attention to ensure this healthcare option is safe, effective, and appropriately co-ordinated within women's wider healthcare use.	en_US
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/FT140100195
dc.relation.ispartof	Phytotherapy Research	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1002/ptr.6001	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Medicinal & Biomolecular Chemistry	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Menstruation Disturbances	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Herbal Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires	en_US
dc.title	Western herbal medicine consultations for common menstrual problems; practitioner experiences and perceptions of treatment	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	32	en_US
utslib.for	1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine	en_US
utslib.for	0304 Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry	en_US
utslib.for	0601 Biochemistry and Cell Biology	en_US
utslib.for	03 Chemical Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	06 Biological Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Students
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	3	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	32	en_US

Abstract:

Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. To explore the prevalence with which Australian Western herbalists treat menstrual problems and their related treatment, experiences, perceptions, and interreferral practices with other health practitioners. Members of the Practitioner Research and Collaboration Initiative practice-based research network identifying as Western Herbalists (WHs) completed a specifically developed, online questionnaire. Western Herbalists regularly treat menstrual problems, perceiving high, though differential, levels of effectiveness. For menstrual problems, WHs predominantly prescribe individualised formulas including core herbs, such as Vitex agnus-castus, and problem-specific herbs. Estimated clients' weekly cost (median = $25.00) and treatment duration (median = 4–6 months) covering this Western herbal medicine treatment appears relatively low. Urban-based women are more likely than those rurally based to have used conventional treatment for their menstrual problems before consulting WHs (p =.001). Only 19% of WHs indicated direct contact by conventional medical practitioners regarding treatment of clients' menstrual problems despite 42% indicating clients' conventional practitioners recommended consultation with WH. Western herbal medicine may be a substantially prevalent, cost-effective treatment option amongst women with menstrual problems. A detailed examination of the behaviour of women with menstrual problems who seek and use Western herbal medicine warrants attention to ensure this healthcare option is safe, effective, and appropriately co-ordinated within women's wider healthcare use.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/123576