Some women get through their monthly periods easily with few or no concerns. Their periods come like clockwork, starting and stopping at nearly the same time every month, causing little more than a minor inconvenience. However, other women experience a host of physical and/or emotional symptoms just before and during menstruation. From heavy bleeding and missed periods to unmanageable mood swings, these symptoms may disrupt a woman's life in major ways. Most menstrual cycle problem have straightforward explanations, and a range of treatments options exist to relieve your symptoms. If your periods feel overwhelming, discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Once your symptoms are accurately diagnosed, he or she can help you choose the best treatment to make your menstrual cycle tolerable.

















 

How the menstrual cycle works: Your menstrual period is part of your menstrual cycle- a series of changes that occur to parts of your body (your ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts) every 28 days, on average. Some normal menstrual cycles are a bit longer, some are shorter. The first day of your menstrual period is day one of your menstrual cycle. The average menstrual period lasts about five to seven days. A “normal” menstrual period for you may be different from what’s “normal” for someone else.

Types of Menstrual Disorders: Among the most common of menstrual disorders are amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

1. Amenorrhea : Amenorrhea, an absence or abnormal cessation of menstruation, may be caused by emotional stress, strenuous physical activity, binge dieting, obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, or anatomical, hormonal or chromosomal abnormalities. Drugs such as corticosteroids and barbiturates can also disrupt the menstrual cycle. The low estrogen levels accompanying this condition leads to loss of bone mass. 

 

1. Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) : Dysmenorrhea is characterized by cramps in the lower abdomen and sometimes the back and thighs. It is most common during the first day of menstruation.

 

1. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) :  PMS is characterized by irritability, emotional upset, nervousness, headaches, breast tenderness, and weight gain due to fluid retention. These symptoms generally occur a week to ten days before the onset of bleeding and usually disappear shortly after the period begins. They have been associated with an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone.

 

Ayurvedic Treatment for Irregular Menstrual Disorders: 










According to Ayurveda, a poor diet and lifestyle along with inefficient digestion are the main causative factors of menstrual disorders. The result of inefficient digestion is a formation of ama (toxins) in the body. The ama circulates in the whole body and causes blockage and stagnation. This leads to aggravation of vata dosha and rakta dhatu that causes irregular menstrual disorders.

Ayurveda recommends different types of treatment to treat irregular menstrual problems:

1. Internal medication with Ayurvedic formulations is given depending upon the general condition of the patient, and the nature of menstrual disorder. These herbal preparations nourish and tone the reproductive system.
2. Rejuvenating treatment in accordance with the nature of the disorder.
3. Massage of medicated oils is given to relieve the vitiated vata dosha.
4. Medication and yoga also help to relax the mind, body and soul.

Some of the Ayurvedic formulations used to treat menstrual problems are:

1. Pushyanug churna.
2. Ashokarishta.
3. Lodhrasava.
4. Chandanasava
5. Usheerasava
6. Drakshadi kashayam.
7. Shatavari ghrita.
8. Lohasava.
9. Nagkesar churna.
10. Balarishtam.
11. Sukumaram kashayam.
12. Chandraprabha vati.