The Ayurveda Experience June 21, 2019
The term amenorrhea means the absence of menstruation. In this article, we’ll be focusing on how Ayurvedic treatments and remedies can help in managing amenorrhea.
The term is used to characterize the absence of a menstrual periods/cycle (for 2-3 consecutive months) in women and adolescent girls.1
Primary Amenorrhea – This is when menstruation doesn’t start by the age of 14 years.
Some of the possible causes of primary amenorrhea can be chromosomal or genetic abnormalities like Turner syndrome.
It can also occur due to problems in the brain’s hypothalamus or pituitary gland. These problems can cause an imbalance in hormones which prevent the occurrence of periods.1
Secondary Amenorrhea – This is when menstruation is absent for six months or more in someone with an otherwise regular menstrual pattern.
Secondary amenorrhea is further divided into two subtypes depending on the causes — physiological causes and pathological causes.
Physiological causes of secondary amenorrhea can be pregnancy, lactation period, and post-menopause.
Pathological causes of secondary amenorrhea can be uterine infections, endometritis, pituitary gland dysfunction, ovarian problems, and others.1
See Also: How To Induce Your Period With Ayurveda
Hypothalamic Amenorrhea – In hypothalamic amenorrhea, the hypothalamus, a gland which regulates the body’s metabolic processes, slows or stop releasing GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) hormone.
This hormone is responsible for initiating the menstrual cycle1. This can be caused due to low caloric/fat intake, emotional stress, strenuous exercise, and others.
Ayurvedic scholar Sushruta described secondary amenorrhea as nastratava (absence of menstruation).
Considering the Ayurvedic perspective on amenorrhea, the causes can be attributed to Pitta Kasa (decrease in pitta dosha) and increase of Kapha and Vata doshas.
In the context of secondary amenorrhea, remedies and treatments should involve measures to increase Pitta and to decrease Vata and Kapha doshas like the following.
See Also: Panchakarma Program Theory
Another Ayurvedic procedure that is recommended for amenorrhea is vasti/basti (medicated enema), which can be administered in rajo nasha (absence of menstruation)2
Vasti (medicated enema) can be divided into two types based on the route which is administered.
The herbs used in basti therapy can be tailored to manage a wide variety of specific symptoms. They can also be used to repair and build and nourish the tissue.
In the case of amenorrhea, the classical Ayurvedic medical text Astanga Hridaya mentions the following.
Foods to be avoided to reduce the occurrence of amenorrhea are potatoes, jack fruit, cold foods/drinks like ice creams, sodas, ready-to-eat frozen foods.
Please consult your Ayurvedic practitioner before trying the procedures, dietary guidelines, or remedies for amenorrhea mentioned in this article. Consult your primary healthcare provider if you have been irregular.
References
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