Menstrual problems are of various types. Many women’s suffer from painful menstruation. Some women’s experience scanty flow while some have too heavy or too frequent periods. There are women, who don’t get periods for several months together. Ayurvedic treatment for menstrual irregularities helps a lot in treating it successfully. All the menstrual complaints are discussed under the heading as “Yonivyapad” in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda there are 20 different types of Yonivyapad. Imbalancing of vata dosh, pitta dosh and kapha dosh are responsible for yonivyapad.
1. Menstrual cramps (menstrual pain) -
It is normal to experience cramps during periods. The cramps are caused by prostaglandin, the chemical which causes the muscles of the uterus to contract and it is often accompanied by pain. Contraction is necessary to squeeze out the blood from the uterine cavity. In some young girls, the menstrual pain is so much extreme that, she cannot tolerate it and thus required ayurvedic treatment.
Painful and heavy menstruation is also called as Dysmenorrhoea. The symptoms are cramps like pain occurs in abdomen and rediate to thighs and legs. There may be lower backache, nausea, vomitting, and mood swings along with painful menstruation.
Painful menstruation is described as “Udavarta Yonivyapad” or “Kashtartav” in ayurvedic granthas. In this vata dosh prakop occurs due to holding of natural urges. This vata prakop causes pain during menstruation. Pain subside as the menstruation complete. In this yonivyapad the menstrual bleeding is foggy. According to Ayurveda, vata dosh chikitsa is important to relieve the menstrual cramps. Ayurvedic medicines like chandraprabha vati, shankh vati, godanti vati, shatavari oil, some medicated ghrut gives excellent results.
Panchkarma must recommend in painful menstruation. Basti chikitsa plays important role. Vaman for kapha dosh addhikya and Virechan for pitta dosh adhikya suggested. After detoxification of body Uttar basti Treatment should be done with medicated oils and ghrut.
2. Menstrual Irregularities (Oligomenorrhea, Metrorrhagia)
In some young girls or in ladies the menstruation does not occur regularly. Amenorrhea means the absence of monthly menstrual periods. Women, who have missed atleast 3 missed periods in a row have amenorrhea. The common cause of amenorrhea is the problems of reproductive organs or glands, some medications, under weight or over weight, premature menopause, pregnancy and breast feeding, etc.
Oligomenorrhea means late monthly menstrual periods or less bleeding of menstruation. In some young girls or ladies, menstrual periods takes more than 30 days. It may be upto 60 to 90 days and bleeding occurs only for 2 to 3 days. Bleeding may be scanty or in forms of clots. The causes of Oligomenorrhea is hormonal imbalance, under weight or over weight, PCOD, some medications, etc.
Oligomenorrhea & Metrorrhagia responsible for failure of ovulation. Ovulation doesn’t take place without regular menstrual cycle. 50% of infertility cases are due to failure of ovulation. That’s why it is a major problem.
“वातपित्ताभ्यां क्षियते रज: सदाहकाश्यऺवैवण्यऺं यस्या सा लोहितक्षया|”
Oligomenorrhea & Metrorrhagia is described as a “Arajaska Yonivyapad” in Ayurveda. Pitta dosh prakop is responsible for this. Excessive pitta dosh vitiates the internal lining of uterus, due to ushna property of pitta dryness of endometrial occurs and hence menstruation not take place. Burning sensation also occurs in the body.
Ayurvedic treatment for Menstrual Irregularities
Ayurvedic medicines with panchkarma treatment proves helpful to cope up with conditions of amenorrhea and Oligomenorrhea.
Medicines like kanyalohadi vati, rajpravartini vati, pushpadhanva ras, kumari aasav, kamdudha ras, gandharva haritaki, etc are very helpful in treating amenorrhea and Oligomenorrhea.
Vaman, Virechan, basti, Uttar basti, advice along with these medicines. Phalghrut uttar basti plays important role for ovulation induction and to regularisation of the menstrual cycle. Vaman panchkarma is recommended for kapha pradhan dosh dushti, rasvaha srota dushti. Raj(menstrual bleed) is a updhatu of ras, thus vaman gives results in menstrual irregularity. Virechan is recommended for pitta dosh dushti. In a arajaska yonivyapad ushna property of pitta is responsible. Virechan eliminate the pitta dosh and thus it helps. In every Yonivyapad their is a vata dosh dushti hence anuvasan and niruha basti treatment is used to cure.
3. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the commonest amoung the complaints associated with the menstruation cycle. It occurs just before the menstrual period begins. PMS is considered as a psychosomatic disorder. It is mostly due to hormonal imbalance.
The symptoms of PMS are anxiety, irritability, depression, fatigue, lack of concentration, lack of sleep, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, tenderness in the breast, headache, swelling in the body, and pain in the muscles.
Most women experience PMS before 5 to 6 days of menstruation. Wrong myths and attitudes towards menstruation have given rise to PMS. The syndrome can be successfully manage with ayurvedic medicines, Panchakarma therapy, lifestyle changes. Ayurvedic aahar vihar, adequate rest and exercise and regular practices of yoga can help women to cope with this syndrome.
Ayurvedic aspect of Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
According to Ayurveda, imbalance of vata dosh and pitta dosh is responsible for PMS. Rasa vaha and artav vaha srot dushti also leads to PMS.
Shatavaryadi yapan basti, sahachar tail matra basti, Virechan with caster oil and vaman by madanfal- jeshthamadh phant generally used to treat PMS.
Bramhi and jatamanasi oil Shirodhara always used to treat premature symptoms.
Herbs like shatavari, ashwagandha, ashok, brahmi, sativa used to treat PMS. Ayurvedic medicines such as godanti bhasma tablet, ashwagandha tablet, Chandraprabha vati, brahmi vati, praval panchamrut used. All panchkarma procedure, herbs, ayurvedic medicines always used according to the body constitution i.e. prakriti of thaat women. Prakruti found out with the help of dashavidh pariksha and by nadi pariksha.
4. Menopause
Menopause is the period when the menstrual cycle is come to an end. It marks the end of a woman’s child bearing years. This is a natural transgression in the life of women and occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 years.
Menopause is cause by a progressive reduction in estrogen level. The ovaries gradually becomes less responsive to the hormones to the result ovulation and menstrual cycle become irregular and gradually ceased.
Some women does not suffer with menopausal symptoms but in some women menopausal symptoms disturb their lifes. The symptoms associated with menopause are hot flushes, palpitations, chest pain, weight gain, vaginal soreness, night sweats, old shivers, anxiety, depression, irritability, and loss of bone tissue or osteoporosis (which is the most serious physical symptom of late menopause.
Most of the women suffer from menopausal syndrome requires ayurvedic management and panchakarma therapy. In surgical menopause and premature menopause (before the age of 40 year) must need ayurvedic management. Menopause is not gynaecological disorder as it is just a phase in the life of a women, although accompany with few physical and mental issues.
Ayurvedic aspect & treatment of Menopause
In Ayurveda, menopause is described as “Vyandya Yonivyapad”.
वंध्यां नष्टार्तवाम् विद्यात् |
यदास्या: शोणिताख्ये बीजे गर्भाशयस्ये निर्वर्तकं बीजं प्रदुष्यति या
तदा वंध्यां जनयति ||
Aartav is the prasadrup dhatu in ladies. At the time of menopause this aartav becomes weak hence physical and mental fatigue occurs. Menopausal symptoms are successfully treated by ayurvedic medicines and panchkarma treatment therapy.
Ashwagandha is a common herb used to treat menopausal syndrome. Ayurvedic medicines like chandraprabha, bramhi vati, shatavari vati, dashmuladhi kwath, etc, are generally used to treat menopausal syndrome.
Anuvasan and niruha vyatasat basti prayog, panchatiktghrutkshir basti prayog, matra basti, saumya Virechan, generally recommends.
Bramhi and jatamanasi siddha oil shirodhara to be done to relieve the anxiety state in menopausal syndrome.
Sarvang abhyanga (full body massage), sarvang swedan(steam bath) always used for relaxation purpose in menopausal syndrome.
Proper diet, exercise, sleep and work management, nutrition, rasayan and vajikaran chikitsa helps to get relief from menopausal symptoms.
5. White Discharge (Leucorrhoea)
The women suffer from various abnormal vaginal discharges like white discharge (Leucorrhoea), Red discharge, pink discharge, yellow pus like discharge. Most commonly women affected by white discharge.
Vaginal discharge is a normal body function to protect and clean the vagina. At the time of ovulation, sexual activity, some exercises, and emotional stress increases the vaginal discharge. Before the starting of menstrual cycle their is little bit white discharge occurs in every lady. But, rather than these conditions the excessive discharge occurs from vagina associated with itching and has thick cheese like consistency, is not normal and requires ayurvedic treatment.
Abormal white discharge (Leucorrhoea) may be due to the some fungal infection or bacterial infection or STD’s (sexual transmitted disease) or PID’s (pelvic inflammatory diseases).
Most of the cases of Leucorrhoea now a days are due to outside food, late night sleep, excess indulgence in sexual desire, hormonal imbalance, excessive stress.
Ayurvedic aspect & treatment of white discharge (Leucorrhoea)
Leucorrhoea is described as a”Upapluta” Yonivyapad in Ayurveda. It is also called as Shwet pradar.
Imbalancing of vata dosh and kapha dosh is responsible for white discharge. Excessive kapha dosh and prakupit vata dosh leads to sticky, faul smelling, white discharge from vagina. Pain in the vagina is always there. Sometimes fatigue, bodyache, fever, pain in abdomen, unexplained weightloss, increased urination, constipation, loss of appetite, are the symptoms of Leucorrhoea.
Ayurvedic medicines and panchkarma treatment therapy gives excellent results in treating white discharge (Leucorrhoea). Decoction of lodhra, dalimba, amba, jambhul, and turti used for yonidhavan i.e. vaginal douche. Uttar basti of various vata nashak dravya used. Lower body abhyanga and shek also recommends. Vaman panchkarma is also recommend if the kapha dosh dushti is more. Ayurvedic medicines like ashokarishta, chandraprabha vati, ashokchal ghan vati, aarogyavardhini, gandhak rasayan, yograj guggul, etc, used according to the body constitution of that female.
6. Excessive Menstrual bleeding (Menorrhagia)
Abnormal heavy bleeding or long term menstrual bleeding is called as Menorrhagia. Most of the women suffer from a Menorrhagia. Blood loss is so severe that, women may suffer from anaemic conditions.
Symptoms of Menorrhagia are –
1. Need of one or more .
2. sanitary pads hourly.
3. Needing to change the sanitary pads in night also.
4. Fatigue
5. Tiredness
6. Might have a painful menstrual cramps
7. Weakness
Causes of Menorrhagia are –
1. Hormonal imbalance.
2. PCOD
3. Hypothyroidism
4. Dysfunction of ovaries
5. Uterine fibroids
6. Uterine polyps.
7. Certain Medications.
Ayurvedic aspect -
असृक् दिर्यते इति असृग्दर: |
प्रकर्षेण दिर्यते | इति प्रदर: |
Heavy menstruation bleeding or Menorrhagia is described as a” Raktpradar” in Ayurveda. It also called as Asrugdar or Atyartav yonivyapad. Vataj, Pittaj, Kaphaj, Sannipatik are the 4 types of Raktpradar described in ayurvedic granthas.
Excessive consumption of oily, spicy food, heavy nonveg food, late night sleep, working near heat, pitta prakruti, heavy exercise, anxiety, stress, tension are some reason for Raktpradar described in Ayurveda. Due to all above causes rakt and raja dushti occurs. Prakupit vata increases the abnormal thickness of endometrium and leads to excessive bleeding.
Ayurvedic medicines and panchkarma treatment therapy gives excellent results in excessive menstruation bleeding tendencies in women.
Vala, chandan, lodhra, padmakashta, gairik, ashok are the herbs usually used in treating Menorrhagia. Shatavari siddha milk, shatavari ghrut, shatavari kalp, usually used in treating Menorrhagia. Mocharas siddha godugdha arrest heavy Menstrual bleeding immediately. Vasaswaras, durvaswaras, aamalakiswaras used to eliminate excessive heat from the body.
Dadimavleha, kutajavleha, durva kalp, kamdudha, praval, naagkeshar used frequently to treat Menorrhagia.
Ashokarishta with bolbaddha ras is the unique combination to treat heavy bleeding. Vaman for Kapha dosha prakop, Virechan for pitta dosh prakop and basti for vata dosh prakop recommends to eradicate the Menorrhagia by root. Obviously these panchkarma procedures not use during bleeding. First bleeding arrest by ayurvedic medicine and then Panchakarma is done.
7. Vaginal dryness
Vaginal dryness is the common problem for the women during and after menopause. It can occur at any age after puberty. Lack of lubrication, certain allopathy medications, chemicals in the soap, and anxiety, hormonal imbalance can cause dryness of vagina among younger women. It may lead to disparonia (painful sexual intercourse).
Dryness occuring at menopause is a sign of vaginal atrophy, thining and shrinking of vaginal walls due to decline in hormones.
Vaginal dryness might be accompanied by itching, pain, discomfort, stinging arround the vaginal opening.
Ayurvedic aspect -
It is described as”shushka yonivyapad” in Ayurveda. Dryness of vagina is due to the vata dosh prakop. During the sexual intercourse if women holds the natural urges vata dosh gets vitiated and this vitiated vata dosh leads to dryness of vagina. Proper lubrication is essential for natural intercourse. But due to the dryness of vagina intercourse is painful called as dyspareunia.
व्यवायकाले रून्धन्त्या वेगान् प्रकुपितोनिल:|
कुर्याद्वीण्मुत्रसंगार्ती शोषं योनिमुखस्य च ||
Ayurvedic medicines and some Panchakarma therapies helpful to treat dryness of the vagina. This is not a major. Yashtimadhu, shatavari, errand, nirgundi siddha tail uttar basti works very well to increase the proper lubrication of vagina. Matra basti, Niruha basti and anuvasan basti always proves helpful to control vitiated vata dosh.
Consumption of shatavari ghrut for 3 to 4 months completely eradicates the condition of dryness in vagina.
Shankh vati can be used to relieve the pain in vagina.
8. Uterine Fibroid
Uterine Fibroid are growths of the uterus that appears during the child bearing years. It is typically found during the middle and later reproductive years.
As many as three out of four women developed uterine fibroid some times in their lives. Some women will not feel any symptoms as the fibroid don’t trouble them but most of the women suffer from the symptoms of uterine fibroid.
Uterine Fibroid range in size from tiny ones to large bulky masses. It can result in heavy and painful menstruation, painful sexual intercourse, and frequent urination. Most of the uterine fibroid can cause the infertility. Abnormal vaginal discharge, irregular menstrual bleeding, heaviness in the uterine region are some symptoms of uterine fibroid.
The most common fibroids are those that form within the walls of the uterus. Fibroids can be single or multiple. Most of the uterine fibroid require ayurvedic treatment and panchakarma therapy.
Ayurvedic aspect of Uterine Fibroid
Uterine Fibroid is described as “raktajgulm” in Ayurveda. Vata dosh prakop is responsible for raktajgulm. Prakupit vata dosh vitiated the endometrium, the blood within the uterus get dry leads to formation of solid- mass like growth called as raktajgulm. Vegvidharan that’s holding of natural urges during the menstruation is the reason behind formation of raktajgulm, as told by aacharya Shushruta.
Treatment of excessive vata dosh and purification of blood , गर्भाशय शुद्धी I.e. detoxification of uterus by Uttar basti are the main criteria during treatment of uterine fibroid according to Ayurveda.
Vata dosh prakop is cured by basti chikitsa.
Raktshusshikaran I.e. blood purification is done by rajtmokshan.
Detoxification of uterus is done by kahar- Kasia tail uttar basti chikitsa.
Ayurvedix medicines like shuddhashilajit vati, kanchnar guggul, kukunakhi guggul, chandraprabha, firoidhar yoggpradaraknamtak, kumari aasav, etc are used according to the body constitution.
Herbs like vasa, guduhu, ashok, Palash, kumari, sativa, mangishgha commonly used. Vaman Panchkarm chikitsa in kaph prakruti and Virechan Panchkarm chikitsa in pitta prakruti and basti chikitsa in Vata prakriti recommends to treat the uterine fibroid from root.
Yogasan like ushtrasan, bhujangasan, pranayama like anulom Vilom, bhastrika also proves helpful.
Ayurvedic aahar vihar, rest during Menstrual bleeding suggested to the lady suffering from uterine fibroid.
