Dysmenorrhea

Menstruation is one of the hallmark events of womanhood- a glorious dismantling of a delicately designed architecture, and sweeping the debris off the womb. It is a physiological process just like breathing or excreting, and should not cause severe discomfort. But for some of us, menstruation is more of a brutal bloodshed, with actual pain involved. Recurrent obnoxious cramps that last for days, drastic fatigue, abdominal distress, nausea, vomiting, pain radiating to thigh and calf from lower back, pelvic ache, muscle soreness, and more- if you are experiencing this, dysmenorrhea could be the problem.

In simple terms, dysmenorrhea is a painful period. It is usually accompanied by heavy menstrual bleeding, and the symptoms can last up to 72 hours. While primary dysmenorrhea has no known cause, secondary dysmenorrhea is sure to have an underlying pathology, mostly related to reproductive organs. The former appears gradually after the menarche, and the latter appears suddenly. Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by uterine muscle contractions stimulated by prostaglandins. Uterine fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, certain IUDs and medications, cancer, and pelvic inflammation can get your body to give into secondary dysmenorrhea. Demographics say that about 15% of the global women population from age 15-30 suffer from dysmenorrhea.

Ayurveda explains dysmenorrhea treatment under the term kashtartava. Though exact references cannot be seen in classical literature, kashtartava is described as a symptom of various diseases. Vata is the main culprit here, with pitta and kapha as the assisting doshas.

Signs and Symptoms

Pain in the pelvis, abdomen, and lower back is the main symptom. It can be throbbing or shooting or pulsating or even dull, depending on the affected person. Pain is usually radiating in nature, and can spread to the thighs and calf regions. This is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mental confusion, dizziness, headache, fatigue, and in severe cases, fainting. Heavy menstrual bleeding is another sidekick to dysmenorrhea. The symptoms can last for 2-3 days and interfere with the quality of life. Smoking, alcoholism, precocious puberty, and obesity can contribute to it.

Ayurveda Treatment for Dysmenorrhea

Ayurveda correlates dysmenorrhea to Kashtartava, kashta meaning difficult, and artava meaning menstruation. It is considered a vata pradhana tridoshaja vyadhi, or a disease that involves all three doshas with a predominance in vata. Vata dosha is a prominent factor in every menstrual disease, and the other two doshas will always be anubandhi (supporting) to it. Vata is the sole cause of pains, aches, and cramps. Vyana vayu and Apana vayu, the two variants of vata that control circulation and the activities in the lower body are said to be responsible here. The obstruction and faulty activity of artavavaha srotas (the channels that carry menstrual blood) due to these vitiated doshas can be taken as the etiology of kashtartava.

Our Approach

AyurVAID is a pristine institution that bears the virtue of Ayurveda. Our doctors, skilled and proficient in their field, are here to help you, by bestowing you with comfort and reassurance. Gynecological disease management is our forte, and we provide effective treatment for gynecological conditions, ensuring a complete cure. In-depth assessment of the condition, precise diagnosis, thorough samprapti vighatana (breaking the disease pathway), properly planned prakriti-oriented treatment, quality procedures, safe and hygienic environment, etc are our peculiarities. We offer you complete care and cure for the conditions that ail you.

We are:-

First NABH-accredited hospital in India
The winner of the esteemed National Award for Best Ayurvedic Centre of the year 2017 from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Industry’s best customer satisfaction score of 92%, rated by our clients

AyurVAID’s Evidence Based Approach

The Apollo AyurVAID protocol is based on the simple premise that the Physician must diagnose and treat only based on sufficient evidence. This evidence should be ‘patient or rogi based’ in addition to being ‘disease or roga based’ in accordance with the fundamental principles of Ayurveda.

How is this made possible?

A thorough and complete recording of the patient’s medical history, capturing every minute aspect of his/her lifestyle.
A thorough head-to-toe clinical examination, uncovering health risk factors that the patient is unaware of, directly connected or unrelated with his presenting medical complaint(s).
This process of detailed history recording and clinical examination- which includes the classical Srotha-Vikrti pariksha – leads to an accurate understanding of the Dosha status of the individual and lays the foundation for an accurate differential diagnosis and medical management.
Further, the patient is entitled to be clearly informed about the diagnosis arrived at, as also understand the medical management proposed for him. The Physician shall proceed only with the patient’s informed concurrence.

Our Outcome

Pacifying vata is of utmost priority when it comes to gynecological disorders. Balancing vata dosha through a properly curated vata-friendly diet, regimen, and therapies can go a long way in curing kashtartava.

Diet – cold, refrigerated food is to be avoided. Hot soups and stews processed with vata-alleviating herbs are a good choice. Sightly heavy food is prescribed over very light food as the latter can cause further vata vitiation. Dry, raw, and undercooked food are not favored.
Regimen – Practice yoga and pranayama. Avoid excess exercise and sexual intercourse. Fix a schedule for daily activities. Abstain from cold exposure.
Therapies like vasti (medicated enema), Uttara vasti (administration of medicated liquid through the urethra/vagina), and medicines prepared with vata-anulomana properties can be given.

Once the vata is fixed, the associated doshas can be cured likewise. Panchakarma therapy is of big use in all gynecological disorders. The purificatory measures such as Vamana (emesis), virechana (purgation), nasya (nasal drops), vasti (enema), and raktamoksha (bloodletting) done after proper snehana (oleation) and swedana (sudation) will clear the upper and lower body and remove the morbid toxins, providing effective dysmenorrhea Ayurvedic treatment. Uttara vasti is proven to be effective in all vata-predominant yoni rogas. Oily, hot, salty, and sour food items and medicines will help curb the vata while sweet, astringent, and cold things alleviate pitta. For kapha, these should be of hot, astringent, pungent, and bitter taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there a complete cure for dysmenorrhea?

Yes. Ayurveda offers a complete cure for dysmenorrhea through a diverse diet, regimen, internal medication, and therapies. Panchakarma therapies preceded by proper oleation and sudation help mitigate excess doshas from the body and open up artavavaha srotas. Regulating the dosha balance and correcting the lifestyle have prime importance in dysmenorrhea. If correctly followed, the condition will not recur.

2. Is the manifestation of dysmenorrhea the same in all women?

No, it is not. We are not peas in a pod. Each individual has a different physical constitution which Ayurveda calls prakriti. It is the complete genetic and morphological mapping of a person and is unique. Dysmenorrhea is highly affected by various personal factors- what she eats, what she does, where she lives, her genetics, etc. Therefore, the appearance of dysmenorrhea will be different for different people.

3. Why would I go for Ayurvedic treatment for dysmenorrhea?

Allopathic management of dysmenorrhea targets symptomatic relief only. NSAIDs, hormonal pills, and vitamin and mineral supplements have limitations. They only give temporary relief, tempting the symptoms to come back next time. What you need is not a makeshift measure, but something permanent. Ayurvedic treatment for kashtartava focuses on destroying the root cause and ensuring its non-recurrence. Long-term Ayurvedic treatment can go a long way, leading you to a realm of pain-free periods.

4. Is there any relation between dysmenorrhea and childbirth?

Studies have shown that childbirth can change the nature of primary dysmenorrhea. The severity, properties, location, symptoms, and duration are found to be altered after parturition. Hence it is safe to assume that menstrual pain is considerably reduced post-delivery.

5. How important is it to take medication for dysmenorrhea?

Dysmenorrhea is not an overnight feeling. It is a part of the chronic brewing of underlying factors that remained unnoticed. If not taken seriously, it can lead to other health issues including anemia. Therefore, monitoring the symptoms and giving it the right management in the nick of time is important.

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Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea

Signs and Symptoms

Ayurveda Treatment for Dysmenorrhea

Our Approach

AyurVAID’s Evidence Based Approach

How is this made possible?

Our Outcome

Frequently Asked Questions

Medical Case Studies

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