Diagnostic Protocol of Warm and Cold Uterine Temperaments Based on Persian Medicine: A Qualitative Study

Objective: Uterus is an important body organ in women responsible for purifying blood and carrying fetus. In Traditional Iranian Medicine (TIM), identifying the uterine temperament (mizaj) is necessary for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this organ’s diseases. Many gynecological disorders in TIM including infertility, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, hypermenorrhea, vaginitis, cervicitis, urinary incontinence and pelvic pain are related to uterine distemperament (Su-e mizaj). Therefore, their appropriate treatment depends on the correct diagnosis and treatment of uterine distemperament. Criteria for uterine distemperament in TIM resources are qualitative with no method for precise measurement of its symptoms. This study aims to develop a standard diagnostic protocol of uterine temperament and distemperament for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Methods: This is a qualitative study using hybrid concept analysis including three phases: theoretical, fieldwork, and final analytical. In the theoretical phase, TIM resources were reviewed. In the fieldwork phase, experts in TIM and patients were interviewed to extract concepts related to uterine temperaments and distemperaments. Results: In the final analytical phase, major and minor criteria for determination of uterine temperament were presented. Then, we had a several meetings with a panel of experts in TIM in order to design the protocol which led to the development of a standard diagnostic protocol of warm and cold uterine temperament/distemperament. Conclusion: The proposed protocol is an important step towards harmonizing the methods of diagnosis and treatment in TIM, and can be used for treatment or research purposes.