Uterine Fibroids Management by a Popular Traditional Practitioner in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumours in women of reproductive age. It represents the most frequent gynaecological pathology among outpatients from the Department of Gynaecology in some teaching hospitals in Burkina Faso. Besides conventional treatments, there is a traditional medicine that is widely used by African populations. This study aims at investigating uterine fibroids management in traditional medicine. Materials and Methods: Structured interviews were administered to the traditional healer and her patients. Ultrasound examination reports were collected. The rationale for the use of the plants was discussed. Results: Trichilia emetical, Securidaca longepedunculata, Cassia sieberiana and Lannea acida were used to treat uterine fibroids. Decoction of the mixture from these plants was used as an oral drink, vaginal baths and sitz bath. In addition to the plants, abdominal expression to extract masses from the pelvis. The mean size of the uterus is 1694421mm vs. 1663637mm; the mean number of fibroids is 6.67 vs. 8; the mean size of fibroids is 3158.67mm³ vs. 3216mm³ and the mean size of the ovaries 1405mm³ vs. 1774mm³ before and after treatment respectively. Conclusion: The plants used by the traditional healer are involved in some pathophysiological pathways of uterine fibroids and justify their use. Further studies to investigate ultrasound outcome, anatomopathological examinations of extracted masses are needed.