Ayurvedic Management Of Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is a condition in which menstruation is absent. This absence is normal before puberty, after menopause, during pregnancy, and during lactation. It is not a disease but is considered a symptom of functional and structural abnormalities of the female reproductive system. It is usually a sign of a treatable condition. You may need to modify your lifestyle activities or hormonal treatments to help resume normal menstrual cycles.

According to the ‘Charaka Samhita,’ the reason for this condition is the aggravation of Vata Dosha. It happens by the use of excess cold food items and light and dry foods or by taking cold or fizzy drinks. The regular consumption and excessive intake of foods that generate gas during digestion aggravate Vata dosha. Ayurveda believes that in the female body, the lower pelvis, or the seat of Apana, is responsible for the elimination of menstrual blood, stool, urine, and reproductive fluids. Due to anxiety and stress, Apana Vata increases at the onset of menstruation. This condition, aggravated Vata, causes accumulation of toxins in minute channels that carry the menstrual blood, and blockage of these channels causes amenorrhea. So the balance of Vata dosha should be the first line of treatment in the case of amenorrhea. Ayurveda can attain this goal through panchakarma treatments, diet and lifestyle changes, and the use of Ayurvedic herbs and herbal formulations.

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Types Of Amenorrhoea

Amenorrhoea can be classified into two types:

• Primary Amenorrhoea

  Primary amenorrhoea is defined as the absence of menses at age 15 years in the presence of normal growth and secondary sexual characteristics. Common causes of primary amenorrhea include chromosomal or genetic problems with the ovaries, hormonal issues stemming from problems with the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland, and structural problems with the reproductive organs, such as missing parts of the reproductive system.

• Secondary Amenorrhoea

  Secondary amenorrhea is when you've been getting regular periods, but you stop getting your period for at least three months, or you stop your menses for six months when they were previously irregular. The causes can include pregnancy, stress, and illness.

Amenorrhoea can be classified into two types: primary amenorrhoea and secondary amenorrhoea.

Causes Of Amenorrhea

A. Causes of primary amenorrhea include:

• Hormonal imbalance.
• Ovarian failure and polycystic ovary syndrome.
• A tumour in the pituitary gland.
• Disturbed function of the endocrine system that affects maturation at puberty, i.e. hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
• Birth defects in the reproductive structures.

B. Causes of Secondary Amenorrhea include:

• Problems that affect estrogen levels, e.g. stress, weight loss, intense exercise, illnesses, and hormonal imbalance.
• Problems affecting the pituitary, thyroid, or adrenal glands.
• Ovarian tumors or surgical removal of the ovaries.
• The intake of birth control pills.

Symptoms Of Amenorrhoea

Common symptoms of Amenorrhoea are:

• Lack of menstruation.
• Milky nipple discharge.
• Headache.
• Vision changed.
• Additional facial hair.
• Lack of breast development. .
• Vaginal dryness.

Ayurvedic Management Of Amenorrhea

The main Ayurvedic treatments to cure Amenorrhea are the following:

• Panchakarma Treatment

  Panchakarma (ayurvedic detox) is recommended as the first stage of Ayurvedic management to cure the condition. It consists of massage, steam baths, Udvartana, and medicated enemas.After doing panchakarma, blockages in the micro and macro channels of the body system will be relieved, leading to proper nourishment.

• Ayurvedic Oil Massage and Steambath

  These treatments in Ayurveda are called Abhyanga and Swedana. They help to pacify Vata dosha and are nourishing to the whole body. For Ayurvedic oil massage, dhanwantharam oil is particularly appropriate, and the Udvartana treatment with Triphala powder is very effective in combating amenorrhea.

• Medicated Enema

  Different kinds of medicated enemas also help in treating amenorrhea.

They are as follows:

• Vasti

  Vasti (Enema) treatments are extremely effective in removing Vata-based toxins from the system. All those drugs which are introduced through the rectum with the help of Basti are designated as Vasti. The Vasti is beneficial to the women having repeated abortions, short-lived and weak children, who are delicate and indulge daily in coitus. .

• Anuvasana Vasti (oil enema)

  It can be prescribed for women having amenorrhea, scanty menstruation, anovulation, or ovulation with minimal or absence of capacity for fertilization and in infertility. The use of Vasti in infertility due to the predominance of Vata dosha is highly beneficial. .

• Uttara Basti

  In this procedure, medicated oils are applied directly inside the uterus. Phala Ghrita is used for Uttara Basti. It helps to cleanse the uterus, to remove increased Doshas, or to regularize the imbalanced Doshas and to provide nourishment and strength to the uterus.

The main Ayurvedic treatments to cure Amenorrhea are panchakarma, Ayurvedic oil massage, and steambath medicated enema, etc.

Diet And Lifestyle Recommendations As Per Ayurveda

A. Foods to be consumed: The following food items must be included in your diet if you have amenorrhea:

• Include fruits like apples, pineapples, pomegranates, kiwi, papaya, grapes, watermelon, mango, banana, raspberry, strawberry, litchi, blueberry, plum, peach, avocado, and apricot in your diet.
• Eat vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, ladyfinger, radish, onion, bottle gourd, ginger, carrot, pumpkin, chili, capsicum, cucumber, coriander leaf, spinach, and mushrooms.
• Consume grains like wheat, oatmeal, porridge, brown rice, millet, soy flour, etc., and include pulses like soybeans, legumes, sprouts, etc.
• Include spices like fennel seeds, sesame seeds, cumin, coriander, cardamom, thyme, turmeric, and black pepper in your food. .
• Mustard oil, sesame oil, olive oil, coconut oil, soybean oil, and rice bran oil are very beneficial for amenorrhea patients. .
• Nuts like raisins, almonds, walnuts, dates, flax seeds, dried apricots, prunes, figs, etc nourish the body.
• Dairy products like cow ghee, low-fat milk, and yogurt are also beneficial.
• Liquid foods like Herbal tea, Amla juice, carrot juice, Triphala juice, papaya juice, cranberry juice, pumpkin juice, vegetable soup.

B. Foods to be avoided: Amenorrhea patients must avoid the following food items:

• Avoid nuts like cashew nuts, peanuts, and pistachios.
• Do not use hydrogenated oil, butter, or palm oil for preparing food items, and also avoid excessive salt or chili.
• Limit the consumption of citrus fruits like lemons and oranges and avoid frozen veggies.
• Avoid white bread, white refined flour, and black grams, dried and frozen pulses.
• Do not consume cream cheese, condensed milk, full-fat yogurt, whole milk, cream, dark chocolate, and ice cream.
• Caffeinated drinks, alcohol, tea, canned fruit juices, canned soups, and carbonated drinks must be avoided.

Home Remedies For Amenorrhea

Some of the home remedies for Amenorrhea are:

• Fenugreek

  It is an effective remedy for women suffering from menstrual and reproductive disorders. It is also used for milk production and menstrual cramps.

• Sweet Fennel

  It is used as a medicinal plant for treating amenorrhea due to its known antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, estrogenic, diuretic, emmenagogue, antithrombotic, and antihypertensive features. It also helps in maintaining an optimum fluid balance in the body.

• Dill weed

  Dill weed is another herbal plant that has been traditionally used, both as medicine and also in cooking. Women who do not have regular periods can take dill, and it helps to have regular periods. It is also used by women to enhance the flow of breast milk.

• Cinnamon

  Cinnamon has been traditionally used as a cure for different ailments. Studies show that adolescent girls can use spices, herbs, and spices to treat amenorrhea. .

• Tomato Juice

  Tomatoes are delicious fruits that help treat amenorrhea. Drinking tomato juice every day is recommended for better results. It enhances blood cell production.

• Saffron

  Saffron is an antioxidant that acts as a toxin-flushing agent for the body. Boiling a pinch of saffron in water, cooling it, and drinking the water throughout the day is believed to clean up the body internally.

• Bananas

  Bananas can stop menstrual cramps.

• Beetroot

  Beet is very effective for curing amenorrhea. We can use beet as a salad or in the form of different dishes.

Some of the home remedies for amenorrhea include banana, saffron, tomato, cinnamon, dill weed, sweet fennel, fenugreek, and beetroot.

Ayurvedic Herbal Formulations

Classical Ayurvedic Formulations Used to Treat Amenorrhea is:

• Asokarishtam.
• Aswagandharishtam.
• Kumaryasava.
• Dasamularishtam.
• Hinguvachadi Choornam.
• Phalasarpis.
• Gulguluthiktham Kashayam.
• Sukumaram Kashayam.

Some herbs that are useful to cure Amenorrhea are aloe vera, Shatavari, musta, turmeric, and Vidari Kand.

Ayurvedic Herbs For Amenorrhea

Ayurvedic herbs have a vital role to manage Amenorrhea. The most important of them are explained below:

• Aloe Vera

  It is an effective remedy to cure Amenorrhea. It acts as a stimulant for ovulation in females.

• Shatavari

  Shatavari is estrogenic, helping to replenish and balance depleted estrogen. It is commonly used in menopause or perimenopause, or whenever estrogen levels are low.

• Vidari Kand

  Vidari increases fertility by building semen in men and supporting healthy menstruation in women. Its oxytocic properties also promote healthy lactation in women.

• Turmeric

  It is a spice that improves digestion and purifies the blood. It acts as a natural antibiotic and antiseptic. It also acts as a uterine stimulant and regulates menstrual flow.

• Musta

  Musta is considered one of the best Ayurvedic herbs for promoting healthy, regular menstruation. It regulates both Pitta and Vata in the lower abdomen supporting a comfortable, natural flow. Musta helps to balance the emotions in the days before and during menstruation. It also promotes breast comfort and helps maintain a healthy balance of fluids in the body.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned information related to Amenorrhea is taken from various Ayurvedic resources. Always take the advice of an Ayurvedic doctor before starting self-medication.

References

• Charaka Samhita.
• Ashtanga Hridayam.