MANAGEMENT OF MENSTRUAL PAIN WITH AYURVEDA

INTRODUCTION

The medical term for menstrual pain is dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea is the pain which is caused by uterine contractions during each menstrual cycle. The pain usually starts one to two days before the onset of menstruation. It is often associated with feeling of nausea, vomiting and fatigue. The intensity of pain ranges from mild to severe and occurs in lower abdomen, thighs and back. With increasing age, the intensity of pain decreases and even disappears after giving birth to a child.

Dysmenorrhea is of two types – primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea.  Primary dysmenorrhea is the pain due to recurrent uterine contractions and is recurrent whereas secondary dysmenorrhea is due to the disorders of the female reproductive system. Both the conditions are treatable.

However, the discomfort due to menstrual pain is annoying and when the pain is severe, it can interfere in the day to day activities of a female.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS OF MENSTRUAL PAIN?

During menstruation, the uterus contracts to expel the inner lining of uterus called endometrium out of the body. The contraction of uterus occurs because of the release of a chemical called prostaglandin.  Prostaglandins tightens up the uterine muscles and lead to their contraction. When the uterus contracts too strongly, the nearby blood vessels get pressed and the oxygen supply to the uterine muscle cuts off. Due to the loss of supply of oxygen, a female feels pain. Increased levels of prostaglandins lead to more severe menstrual cramps.

However, there are various other reasons responsible for menstrual cramps:

• Presence of fibroids in uterus
• Endometriosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Adenomyosis
• Narrow opening of cervical canal

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF MENSTRUAL PAIN?

Some factors increase the risk of person developing menstrual pain. Following are the factors:

• Onset of periods early, before or at the age of 11 years
• Heavy flow of blood during menstruation
• Irregular menstruation
• Age below 30 years
• Having a family history of dysmenorrhea
• Cigarette smoking
• Alcohol intake

SYMPTOMS OF MENSTRUAL PAIN

Menstrual pain is associated with the following signs and symptoms:

• Throbbing pain in lower abdomen
• Feeling of heaviness in abdomen
• Pain in hips, lower back and inner part of thighs
• Nausea and vomiting
• Watery stools
• Dull and continuous ache in abdomen
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fainting

AYURVEDIC VIEWPOINT OF MENSTRUAL PAIN

In Ayurveda, there are about 20 disorders which are related to female reproductive systems. Dysmenorrhea is one of them and is called Kashtaartava. Kashta means difficulty and aartva means menstruation. So kashtaartva means painful menstruation. It is mostly a symptom of gynecological disorders. Imbalanced vata dosha is responsible for painful menstruation. Apana vayu is a subtype of vata which gets vitiated causing severe pain in abdomen.

Ayurveda helps in balancing of the disturbed doshas by intake of some herbs and panchkarma therapies. Panchkarma is a detoxification process which removes accumulated toxins in the body and maintains harmony of the three doshas. The panchkarma procedures which are recommended in painful menstruation are:

• Abhyanga
• Uttarbasti
• Basti
• Virechana

Some of the herbs beneficial in management of menstrual pain are:

• Shatavari
• Ashoka
• Lahsun
• Ginger
• Aloevera
• Fenugreek

MANAGEMENT OF MENSTRUAL PAIN WITH THE MEDICINES OF CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE

Here are some of the medicines of Chandigarh ayurved center which are used for the treatment of dysmenorrhea:

1. Detox Premium powder:

Detox premium powder is a herbo-mineral preparation containing ingredients such as jahar mohra pishti, parwal pishti, shukta pishti, shankh bhasma, kehrva pishti, moti bhasam, giloy satv, kamdudha ras, etc. This herbal powder help in overall detoxification of the body, balances pitta dosha in the body, reduces inflammation, pain, sudden pain, and improves overall health of women etc.

Recommended dosage: Take 1 sachet twice daily with normal water.

2. Sheet Dhara Syrup:

This herbal syrup is prepared from ingredients such as ajwain satav, mushak kapoor, peppermint, etc that naturally relieve the symptoms like bloating, blenching, nausea, vomiting, feeling of discomfort, etc. The regular use of this herbal syrup neutralizes the high acid content, reduces abdominal pain, & cramps that are associated with the amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea. It helps to boost up the immunity

Recommended dosage: Take half teaspoonful of this syrup in half a cup of water. Drink this mixture twice daily on an empty stomach.

3. Panchsakar Churna:

Panchsakar Churna is an herbal preparation containing five ingredients such as shunthi, haritaki, pippali, trivrit, & sauvarchala lavana. The use of this herbal churna deals with sudden abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, etc. It helps in overall detoxification of the body.

Recommended dosage: Take 1 teaspoonful with lukewarm water at bedtime

4. Women power plus tablet:

woman power plus tablet is a complete natural health supplement for women which is best for female health and vital energy. It helps to build up the immunity. This is a pure herbo mineral product of the best quality herbs. It works well in the reproductive system and other health-related disorders. This tablet contains ingredients like Rajah pravarthini vati, Femine care tablet, Shatavar extract, Ashoka chall extract   Ashwagandha extract, Giloy extract, Anantmool extract, Chandan Safed powder, Kukkutandwaka bhasam, Jeera extract, Safed musli extract, Shiviling extract, Dhatphool extract, Palash phool extract, Brahmi extract, Jatamansi extract, etc. These herbs have the potential to improve female health.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.

5. Stress care tablet:

Stress care tablet is an amazing combination of natural herbs like Sarpgandha, Brahmi, jatamansi. It helps to relieve stress conditions. They help to pacify the nervous system and also helps to increase the mental and physical performance. Maintain stress level, Provide strength to the nervous system, Works in anxiety, loneliness, insomnia, sleep, Negative emotions, Enhance concentration in studies and other work, Memory loss.

Recommended Dosage: Take one tablet twice daily.

6. Femine care tablet:

Femine care tablet is a pure and natural remedy that contains various herbs extract that works on the female reproductive system and make it healthy. These tablets show antioxidant properties, anti inflamatory and immuno modulater properties. These tablet contains ingredients like Ghritkumari (Aloe Vera), Muramakki (Commiphora myrah), Sonth (Zingiber Officinale), Hara Kasis. These tablets are beneficial for PCOD, Bulky uterus, Endometriosis, irregular menses, uterine fibroids and improvs general health of females.

Recommended Dosage: Take one tablet twice daily.

7. Stree poshak syrup:

Stri Poshak Syrup is an Ayurvedic medicine that contains natural and pure herbs which mainly balance the Pitta and Kapha dosha. The syrup is beneficial in curing woman’s physical weakness, anemia, amenorrhea, etc. It includes ingredients like – Ashok chall (Saraca asoca), Lodhar chall (Symlocos racemosa), Khadir chall (Acacia catechu), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), etc. This herbal syrup cures the wrinkles on the face, dark circles below eyes, feeling of exhaustion in the body, helps in reducing hot flashes, disturbed sleep, abdominal discomfort, mood elevation, excess sweating, tiredness.

Recommended Dosage: Take 2 teaspoonful twice a day with normal water.