Dysmenorrhoea - How Ayurveda Is Beneficial In Treating It?

Dysmenorrhoea is the term used to describe painful periods. Normal ovulatory menstruation can be painful, but when it affects one’s routine for example absence in school or office or unable to do day-to-day activities, it has to be investigated and treated. Women of any age can experience painful periods. Some women find periods are no longer painful after pregnancy and childbirth

Symptoms of dysmenorrhoea

• Pain low in the abdomen that can spread to the lower back and legs

• Pain that is gripping or experienced as a constant ache, or a combination of both.

• The pain starts when the period starts, or earlier

• The first 24 hours is the most painful

• Clots are passed in the menstrual blood mostly pain is relieved after the passage of clots.

Dysmenorrhoea can be associated with:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Headache

• Digestive problems

• Fainting

• Premenstrual symptoms, such as tender breasts

Types of Dysmenorrhoea:

• Primary
• Secondary

Causes of Primary dysmenorrhea

Normal menstruation that happens to be painful is known as primary dysmenorrhea. In primary dysmenorrhoea, it is thought that the muscles of the uterus contract harder than normal to excrete the thickened lining (endometrium). These contractions may also reduce blood flow to the uterus which makes the pain worse. The hormone-like compounds that prompt these contractions are prostaglandins. The reason for the increased prostaglandins is not known. This type of dysmenorrhea diminishes with age. It is mostly seen in the adolescent period due to low pain threshold, tension and anxiety.

Causes of secondary dysmenorrhoea

• Endometriosis
• Adenomyosis
• Pelvic inflammatory diseases
• Ovarian cysts
• Fibroids of uterus

Ayurvedic view

According to Ayurveda, there is no pain without vata. Apan vayu is the subtype of vata dosha which is responsible for excretion of waste, cell division and any movement in the body. When there is vitiation of vata, instead of proper direction, apan vayu works in opposite direction. As reproductive organs are under influence of apan vayu, there is colicky pain and the discharge is thrown out with difficulty and becomes frothy. When the position of the uterus is distorted due to faulty positions and excessive coitus, the mouth of the uterus becomes curved and uterus falls back which is responsible for painful intercourse and painful menses. When along with vata, pitta is also vitiated then there are symptoms like chronic backache, painful menses, painful intercourse and periods with excessive bleeding; which can be corelated with PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease).

Treatment: Correction of Apana Vata vitiation is the main objective of the treatment. The site of Apana Vata is last part of the intestines. Etiological factors which lead to Apana Vata provocation need to be strictly avoided.

SNEHANA

• Generally, snehana or oleation is done with medicated oil or ghee.
• It may be administered orally (shatavari ghrit) or externally (sesame oil).
• Local massage with sesame oil and hot water bag fomentation or nadi sweda are
• helpful in painful condition.
• Oleation help in pacifying vitiated Apana Vatha.

Virechana-Medicated purgation

• Purgatives or laxatives are useful here for, example gandharva haritaki.

Basti

• As basti is the primary treatment of vitiated apan vata, it is of prime importance during painful episodes as well as to prevent dysmenorrhea.
• Enema with medicated oils is used to pacify Apana Vata.
• Uttarbasti with bala taila, Dashamool ksheer basti and decoction basti, sahchar oil matrabasti are helpful.

Diet:

• Take Fresh fruits and vegetables

• Avoid salty spicy fried junk food

• Take Asafoetida in diet

• Milk medicated with Ashwagandha

• Add Cow ghee in diet

Some useful Medicines:

• Yograj guggul, maharasnadi Kashaya, dashmool kashay, shankhavati, ashokarishta, lodhra, jatamansi, shatavari, ashwagandha, shunthi, hingu, black sesame, haritaki etc.
• Yoga, Pranayama and meditation and exercise
• Stress is the main factor contributing to this disease and hence pranayama and meditative techniques are proved to be effective in relieving the condition and prevent further recurrence.
• Regular exercise is inevitable and part of your lifestyle.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!