Annual guide to women's health: homeopathy offers incredibly simple solutions to women's health problems. Here's how to find the right remedies for you

HOMEOPATHY IS IDEAL FOR WOMEN'S health complaints. Choosing the correct homeopathic remedy depends on a patient's self-awareness, and over the years in our work as homeopathic physicians, we've found that women are more in tune with their minds and bodies than most men are. On top of that, homeopathic remedies are a great choice because they are free of side effects and less expensive than conventional medicines.

To choose the right remedy for yourself, you must take a close look at your symptoms and your personality traits, including your temperament, your fears, even your cravings.

In this guide, we present the best homeopathic remedies for 10 of the most common ailments women face. For each ailment, we suggest several remedies that have worked well for our patients. Each remedy comes with a profile of specific symptoms that it treats best. Read each profile, check off your symptoms, and take the remedy that most closely matches your situation. (For more on choosing the right remedy and how homeopathy works, see "The Basics of Homeopathy," next page.)

ABSENT MENSTRUATION

You have amenorrhea, or absent menstruation, if you usually menstruate but your periods have stopped for two months or more and you are not approaching menopause. Common causes are anorexia, excessive weight loss or exercise, stress, and discontinuation of birth control pills. See your doctor if your period might have stopped because you're pregnant. If you're not pregnant, here are two remedies to consider.

Aconitum napellus: This is the best remedy if [] you stopped menstruating suddenly [] you feel a heaviness or ache in your ovaries [] you are anxious and nervous. If this sounds like you, take a 30C dose of Aconitum napellus every 12 hours for up to 14 days.

Ignatia: This is the best remedy if [] your behavior changed when your period stopped [] you suffer mood swings, like laughing and crying unexpectedly [] you worry that you will express feelings at inappropriate moments [] your period stopped after a loved one died. If this sounds like you, take a 30C dose of Ignatia every 12 hours for up to 14 days.

OTHER SOLUTIONS: If you've stopped menstruating, make sure you eat regular meals and consume adequate calories and dietary fat. (Consult your health care practitioner for advice.)

ANXIETY

Studies show that women are two to three times more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders than men. Anxiety can be triggered by stress, fear, and even changes in blood sugar. Here are four remedies to consider.

Arsenicum album: This is the right remedy if [] your anxiety is accompanied by restlessness [] you are fatigued [] you have a tendency to be fastidious [] your skin is clammy [] your pulse races. If this sounds like you, take a 6C dose of Arsenicum album every two hours, up to 10 doses.

Calcarea carbonica: This is the right remedy if [] you're forgetful [] you worry about making a fool of yourself [] you're initially obsessed with work, but later feel defeated by it [] you tend to bore other people by describing your ailments. If this sounds like you, take a 6C dose of Calcarea carbonica every two hours, up to 10 doses.

Lycopodium: This remedy is right if [] you feel apprehensive about performing in public [] you can't sleep because you review the day's events [] anxiety decreases your appetite [] you crave sweets when you can't sleep. If this sounds like you, take a 6C dose of Lycopodium every two hours, up to 10 doses.

Phosphorus: This is the right remedy if [] you are relieved by reassurance you are sensitive to the feelings of others, but prefer the limelight [] you fear many things, including the dark, being alone, or dying. If this sounds like you, take a 6C dose of Phosphorus every two hours, up to 10 doses.

OTHER SOLUTIONS: Stress can exacerbate anxiety, so adopt relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, and tai chi. Avoid caffeine; this stimulant can make anxiety worse.

CYSTITIS

Cystitis is the inflammation and infection of the urinary tract, also known as a urinary tract infection (UTI). Symptoms include painful urination and an increased urge to urinate. If untreated, UTIs can develop into kidney infections; see your doctor if your pain is severe or your symptoms don't improve within three days. Otherwise, here are three remedies to consider.

Cantharis: This is the best remedy if [] you have a nonstop urge to urinate [] you feel sharp, burning pains in your abdomen [] your lower back aches [] you feel like you can't empty your bladder and pass only small amounts of urine with some blood. If this sounds like you, take a 30C dose of Cantharis every 30 minutes, up to 10 doses.

Nux vomica: This is the best remedy If [] you have a painful need to urinate [] you feel chilled [] you want to be left alone. If this sounds like you, take a 6C dose of Nux vomica every 30 minutes, up to 10 doses.

Staphysagria: This is the best remedy if [] you have a continuous burning sensation in your urinary tract [] you feel like a drop of urine is constantly trickling through your urethra [] you feel angry. If this sounds like you, take a 6C dose of Staphysagria every 30 minutes, up to 10 doses.