{"id":2014,"date":"2019-03-14T11:04:20","date_gmt":"2019-03-14T05:34:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ayucliniko.com\/articles\/?p=2014"},"modified":"2019-03-15T10:24:00","modified_gmt":"2019-03-15T04:54:00","slug":"the-contribution-of-ayurveda-an-ancient-healing-system-to-modern-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ayucliniko.com\/articles\/the-contribution-of-ayurveda-an-ancient-healing-system-to-modern-women\/","title":{"rendered":"The Contribution of Ayurveda (An Ancient Healing System) To Modern Women"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a patriarchal world of ours, where a woman\u2019s worth is seen by her reproductive powers, it becomes very important to highlight the issue of women\u2019s health. As we all know that health is a state of complete physical and emotional wellbeing and not only the absence of any illness. The health of women mainly depends upon their biological, social and cultural factors. Other factors which effects women health are genetics, the environment, their relationships and mainly the education. Women, in particular, need to keep an eye on their mental as well as physical health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pcos<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Life Style Diseases faced by Women <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The health issues of women are different in urban and rural societies of India. Though women are suffering from many diseases related to menstruation<\/a> like Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS), Menorrhagia, Dysmenorrhea, Endometriosis, Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), Menopause etc. Women these days are largely suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)<\/a> which is a main cause of infertility. Sedentary lifestyle, high intake of fatty and unhealthy food and lack of exercise are the main reasons for PCOS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Ayurveda Contributes to Women Empowerment <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ayurveda our ancient holistic science has the ultimate medicines (herbs) of empowerment can help today\u2019s women to achieve optimal health of body, mind, and spirit. Ayurveda focuses on the balancing of the three doshas I.e. Vata, Pitta, Kapha and also correcting the imbalances that arise during the women\u2019s menstrual cycle-specifically PCOS and other related menstrual disorders. All women have the power to heal within them. Ayurveda helps them to connect with their own inner wisdom and guidance and heal from within. Ayurveda offers many therapies and guidelines to regulate and balance the menstrual cycle of women. For this, we have to first understand the causes of imbalance of doshas which leads to menstrual problems. Many studies are being done which has proved that Ayurveda is able to treat menstrual problems of women completely without having any side – effects. Ayurveda, the ultimate science of empowerment can help the modern women with its numerous methods of healing support such as diet, herbs, lifestyle, purification and rejuvenation therapies, asana, meditation, pranayama, aroma and color therapies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Menstrual Cycle and involvement of Doshas <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is involvement of three doshas i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha for the onset of the menstrual cycle in women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the proliferative phase i.e. the follicular phase of menses (first half of the cycle) Kapha tends to rise. Estrogen hormone (Kapha-like in many ways) peaks during this stage of the cycle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the next phase \u2013the luteal or secretory phase of the menstrual cycle (second half of the cycle) Pitta dominates the women\u2019s body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third phase or the time of actual flow or menses is the time of Vata specifically Apana Vayu as it transports the menstrual blood out of the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Causes of Menstrual Cycle Imbalance <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Only 10-15% of women have the exact 28 days cycle of their periods. Usually, immediately after menarche and before menopause cycles vary the most and the intervals between the periods are longest. Pregnancy is a natural cause of a missed period. However women get disturbed menstrual cycles due to many reasons like being on birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, other medications, poor diet and nutrition, low body fat, poor weight or being obese, stress, anxiety and other mind related problems can also disturb the menstrual cycle. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and drug use can also disrupt the menstrual cycle (interfere with the metabolism of estrogen or progesterone or both). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Classical Ayurvedic Interpretation of the Female Reproductive System <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  • The Ayurvedic term for the disease of the female reproductive system is Garbharoga<\/g>. Garbharoga<\/g> is the term used for the diseases of the uterus. Diseases of the vagina are called Yonivyapt diseases.<\/li>
  • Charak has described 20 types of Yonivyapt diseases. 11 of these are Vata, 2 Pitta, 1 Kapha and 6 involve multiple doshas.<\/li>
  • As most of women diseases are more due to Vata dosha, so Vata dosha is to be pacified first and then treat other doshas. <\/li>
  • As we have discussed earlier that major population of women in their reproductive age is suffering from PCOS<\/a> these days due to an imbalance of the three doshas<\/a> Vata, Pitta, and Kapha due to unhealthy lifestyle and hormonal imbalance. So we will discuss what the causes, symptoms of PCOS are and what is its treatment in Ayurveda.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    What is PCOS?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) is a very common hormonal problem also known as PCOD (polycystic ovarian Disease). 12 to 18 % of women of reproductive age group is suffering from this disease. PCOS is a condition where a hormonal imbalance occurs which affects the growth of follicles to remain in the ovary. The retained follicle is turned into a cyst and with each ovarian cycle, a new cyst is formed, leading to multiple ovarian cysts. The incidence of PCOS is increasing these days because of sedentary lifestyles, pollution, and excessive intake of junk foods, alcohol, smoking, and drugs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    PCOS According to Ayurveda <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    According to Ayurveda PCOD is a disorder involving Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas, Rasa and Medadhatu, rasa, rakta, and artavavahastrotas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    This Sanskrit shloka means that in Artava kshaya<\/g> menstruation does not occur at an appropriate time, or it is less in quantity or occurs causing pain and discomfort. According to Charak it is due to Pitta dushti<\/g> of asrika<\/g> and according to Acharya Vagbhata opinion it is due to Vata and pitta, the raja is decreased causing Lohitkhaya. The main clinical feature of Cyst (Granthi) is swelling or protuberance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Clinical Features of Pcos <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    1. Infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods in the form of (oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, or DUB and Infertility)<\/li>
    2. Excessive hair growth<\/li>
    3. Acne, Hirsutism<\/li>
    4. Obesity (increased weight)<\/li>
    5. Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases<\/li>
    6. Psychological symptoms such as stress, anxiety etc. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Treatment of PCOS in Modern Science <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Modern medical science has no permanent treatment for PCOS<\/a>, they are only able to provide symptomatic treatment for it. Lifestyle modification and ovulation induction by hormonal treatment is<\/g> done to regularize the periods. Surgery may be needed sometimes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n