Dysmenorrhea Causes Symptoms and Ayurvedic Treatment

Abstract

Menstruation is a normal vaginal bleeding that occurs monthly. This is a normal process that the uterus prepares for the pregnancy and if pregnancy does not occur then the endometrium is shed every month which is termed as menses or period. There are certain symptoms that occur during the shedding of the endometrium such as abdominal pain, food cravings, fatigue, mood swings, bloating, sore breasts, lower back ache etc. There are various conditions that affect the normal process of menstruation such as amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhea etc. Dysmenorrhea is characterised by excessive bleeding per vaginum and painful menstruation that incapacitate daily activities. In the section below we shall see the detailed view on dysmenorrhea and we shall also have a look at what Ayurveda has to say with regard to dysmenorrhea. In addition to this we shall also discuss its management in the contemporary system of medicine as well as the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Let’s get it !!

Introduction

Dysmenorrhea literally means painful menstruation. But a more realistic and practical definition includes cases of painful menstruation of sufficient magnitude so as to incapacitate day to day activities. Dysmenorrhea is the most frequent gynaecological problem and the incidents are trending globally. Dysmenorrhea almost affects 40 to 70 percent of women in their reproductive age. And affects daily activities in 10 percent of these women. Clinically dysmenorrhea is classified into two types : primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea is linked directly to menstruation. This is also described as spasmodic, functional, essential and intrinsic. The pain which arises due to the pelvic pathology associated with menstruation is called secondary dysmenorrhoea; this is also known as congestive dysmenorrhea. In Ayurveda, this painful menstruation condition is well correlated with udavarta or udavarta yonivyapad. We shall discuss it in detail further in this text.

Causes of Dysmenorrhea

• Psychosomatic factor due to tension and anxiety during adolescence.
• Abnormal anatomical and functional aspects of the uterus such as stenosis at the internal os or narrowing of the cervical canal which causes difficulty in escape of menstrual blood leads to strong uterine contractions which results in pain.
• Unequal development of Mullerian ducts in case of septate or bicornuate uterus. The pain occurs due unequal muscular contractions.
• Uterine hypoplasia.
• Imbalance in the autonomic nervous control of uterine muscle.

Signs and symptoms

• The pain begins a few hours before or just with the onset of the menstruation. The severity of tre pain usually lasts for a few hours and may extend to twenty four hours but seldom persists beyond 48 hours. The Pain is spasmodic and confined to the lower abdomen and may radiate to the back and medial aspect of the thighs.
• Systematic discomforts like nausea, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhoea, headache, disorientation, dizziness and fainting.
• Anxiety

Investigation

• Medical history of extremely painful menstruation.
• No universally accepted standard available that measures the intensity of the pain.

Management of Dysmenorrhea

• Nsaids – Ibuprofen
• IUD with progesterone.

Ayurvedic aspect and management of Dysmenorrhea

Vata dosha is responsible for the inner and outer movements of the body. As here we are discussing painful menstruation, so this thing has to be kept in mind that the subtype of vata dosha – apana vayu is responsible for the menstruation. Any kind of vitiation of the vata dosha will result in problems related to menstruation.

In Ayurveda classics, the majority of the gynaecological disorders have been described under the heading of yonivyapad. Different masters have mentioned these gynaecological problems. Master Charak has mentioned thirty types of yonivyapad. Correlation of the condition of dysmenorrhea can be best established with Udavarta yonivyapad.

The condition of udavarta or udavartini resembles the description of almost all types of dysmenorrhea. On the basis of the symptoms of immediate relief of pain following discharge of menstrual blood given by master Charak, it appears to be nearer to true or spasmodic dysmenorrhea. Among various theories regarding origin of pain is spasmodic dysmenorrhea, incoordinate muscle action of the uterus as a whole, more likely due to imbalance in the autonomic nervous system control of muscles is given maximum importance. Overactive sympathetics lead to hypertonus of the circular fibres of the isthmus and internal os, as well as irregular contractions of remaining muscle fibres of the uterus. The menstrual blood normally going downwards is pushed upward due to hypertonicity or spasm of isthmus or internal os, which has been clearly described by master Charak.

Incoordinate or irregular contractions of all the myometrial muscle fibres have been explained as ‘all around movement of vayu’ in Madhukosha commentary.

Discharge of blood clots mentioned by Indu may be the description of sp[ecial form of spasmodic dysmenorrhea characterised with expulsion of big clots of blood. In the association of kapha described by Yogratnakar is taken as association of mucous membrane or endometrium, then it can be equated with another form of spasmodic dysmenorrhea (membranous dysmenorrhea).

Oleation with traivrtasneha (fat, ghrita and oil), sudation, use of meat soup of gramya (wild), anupa (living in marshy lands) and audaka (aquatic) animals, basti (medicated enema) of milk mediated with dashamoola and its oral use, anuvasana basti (uncting enema) and uttarbasti (uterine or vaginal instillation) with traivrtasneha should be done.

All the measures capable of suppressing vata should be done, beside, poultice made with pearled barley, wheat, kinva, kustha, shatapushpa, priyangu, bala and akhukarni should be applied locally.

Internal medicines that are useful in management of dysmenorrhea are pushyanug churna, brihat shatavari ghrita, phalghrit, , triphala ghrita, nyagrodhadi kwath, maharsanadi kwath, jirakadi modak are beneficial in dysmenorrhea.

Furthermore, use of pichu (tampons), basti (medicated enema and vaginal instillation) are helpful in managing dysmenorrhea.

Herbal Remedies for Dysmenorrhea by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is an eminent GMP certified, ISO 9001:2015 certified and US-FDA registered Ayurvedic Company, which adheres to the objective of manufacturing quality Ayurvedic products as mentioned in a number of ancient texts of Ayurveda. Formulations are manufactured without additives and preservatives and other kinds of chemicals or artificial flavouring agents which can have a number of side effects on the human body. Products manufactured at Planet Ayurveda are pure and devoid of any kind of adulteration. The products are purely organic and vegetarian and gluten free and halal certified. Planet Ayurveda presents its product that effectively manages the condition of dysmenorrhea.

Products Lists

1. Female Health Support
2. Chandraprabha Vati
3. Gyne Kalp
4. Ashokarisht
5. Hakam Churna

Product description

1. FEMALE HEALTH SUPPORT

As the name of the product indicates, the capsules support female health because they contain herbs that help in improving the reproductive health of a woman. It is beneficial in regulating reproductive health that is required for a healthy cycle of menstruation. The formulation is a blend of ashok (Saraca indica), shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) and lodhra (Symplocos racemosa). These herbs manage hormonal changes and also stimulate the secretion of hormones within the normal limits and also helps in a regular and easy menses. By acting so, Female Health Support capsules are of great help in dysmenorrhea.

Dosage: One capsule twice a day

2. CHANDRAPRABHA VATI

Chandraprabha vati is a classical formulation which is also called as Sarvaroga Pranashini which means it ends all the aliments. Chandraprabha pacifies all the three doshas. It contains a number of herbs and minerals. It is constituted with darvi (Berberis aristata), sarjikakshara (Sodium carbonate), saindhava lavana (Rock salt), maricha (Piper nigrum), trivrit (Operculina turpethum), gaja pippali (Piper chaba), chitraka bark (Plumbago zeylanica), vanshlochan (Bambusa arundinacea), ela (Elettaria cardamomum) etc. Chandraprabha vati is used adversely in various health conditions related to the reproductive health of both men and women. It is a potent emmenagogue, it balances the hormones and corrects issues regarding menstruation, stomach cramps, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea. Being an emmenagogue, Chandraprabha vati is a miraculous formulation that works impeccably in dysmenorrhea.

Dosage: Two tablets twice a day

3. GYNE KALP

Gyne Kalp is a product of Planet Ayurveda that is filled with goodness of the herbs shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), ashoka (Saraca asoca) and lodhra (Symplocos racemosa). The product balances tridosha and helps in maintaining overall female health in a good state. Gyne Kalp keeps the hormones in normal range which improves or betters the healthy menstrual flow. By keeping the hormones in a normal range. It helps in the healthy contractions of the uterus which ultimately relieves the painful menstruation. Therefore, Gyne Kalp is a blessing for the females suffering from dysmenorrhea because it works like magic.

Dosage: Two tablets twice a day

4. ASHOKARISHT

Ashokarisht is a classical ayurvedic arishta formulation that is a panacea in female disorders. Ashokarisht is prepared with the herbs including ashoka (Saraca indica), jaggery (Saccharum officinarum), Dhataki pushpa (Woodfordia fruticosa), Krishna Jeeraka (Carum carvi), Nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Daruhaldi (Berberis aristata), Nilkamal (Nymphaea nouchali), Amla (Emblica officinalis), Harad (Terminalia chebula), Baheda (Terminalia bellerica), Amra beej (Mangifera indica), Vasa (Adhatoda vasica), Shweta chandan (Santalum album) and shweta jeerak (Cuminum cyminum). Ashokarisht is a uterine tonic which also helps in a number of menstruation related issues. It is also known as the ‘natural friend’ of a woman. Ashokarisht balances the hormones. Ashokarisht makes the escape of menstrual blood easy and also reduces the blood clotting during menstruation. Hence, Ashokarisht is helpful in managing dysmenorrhea.

Dosage: Two tsp twice a day

5. Hakam Churna

Hakam Churna is a polyherbal formulation formulated by Planet Ayurveda which contains four ingredients, which include Chandrashoor (Lepidium sativum), Methi (Trigonella foenumgraecum), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), Kalonji (Nigella sativa). The ingredients possess analgesic, anti-inflammatory properties. Due to its analgesic effect, Hakam churna helps in the painful menstruation.

Dosage: 1/2 tsp twice a day

Conclusion

Dysmenorrhea is a common condition that women in reproductive age face. Though a certain amount of pain is considerable in normal menstrual bleeding but when it causes hindrance in day to day activities, it is termed as dysmenorrhea. There are a number of causes that lead to this painful menstruation including physical and psychological reasons.

In addition to this, faulty lifestyle and faulty dietary habits adds to the prevalence of the condition. As we saw a detailed aspect of dysmenorrhea with respect to Ayurveda, so it becomes quite obvious regarding the apana vayu dushti and henec the management protocol is thus based on the pacification of the vata dosha and it eventually manages the painful menstruation. In the contemporary system of medicine there are only symptoms alleviating management whereas Ayurveda manages the condition very efficiently and provides good results by pacifying the vata dosha and wiping out the dysmenorrhea from its root.