Introduction
Stress is becoming a necessary component of modern life. A woman's health has deteriorated due to her never-ending search for material luxuries. The primary cause of women's various issues is that they have not been adhering to healthy life rules. Menstruation is a natural part of a woman's regular reproductive cycle. However, dysmenorrhea is a common condition that affects women's everyday activities and may lead them to miss work or school or prevent them from participating in sports or other activities. It is because of the sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise that are prevalent nowadays. Ayurvedic medicine is being used, particularly for the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
What Is Dysmenorrhea?
Women of reproductive age and adolescent girls frequently have dysmenorrhea. It is characterized by crampy pelvic pain that starts one to three days before or right when menstruation starts. Menstruation is a crampy, labor-like discomfort that extends to the upper abdomen, waist, and thighs. Systemic symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and vertigo, may sometimes accompany dysmenorrhea. The menstrual blood pathways become blocked, which prevents the endometrium from receiving the proper nutrition. As a result, the menstrual cycle is thrown off, and periods are delayed. Such interruptions frequently result in unneeded worry and anxiety. Painful menstruation or dysmenorrhea is classified into two categories:
1. Primary Dysmenorrhea: It is a pain associated with ovulatory cycles without demonstrable pathology in the reproductive organs. This is common among adolescent girls and disappears as one grows into adulthood. It may start with a period but rarely persists beyond 48 hours after the onset of menstruation.
2. Secondary Dysmenorrhea: It is a pain associated with the underlying pelvic pathology, which may need management with the supervision of a doctor, including:
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Adenomyosis.
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Pelvic inflammatory disease.
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Ovarian cysts.
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Fibroids of the uterus.
What Are the Types of Treatment for Dysmenorrhea by Ayurveda?
In Ayurveda, dysmenorrhoea is known as Kashta-Artava (Kashta means ‘pain,’ Artava means ‘discharge from the vagina’). According to Ayurvedic texts, several more disorders are believed to have dysmenorrhoea as a symptom. No addictive, analgesic, or antispasmodic medications that are bad for the health if used for a long time are provided in Ayurvedic treatment for dysmenorrhea. Analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications, which may cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and blurred vision, exacerbate the gastrointestinal problems that many women suffer during menstruation.
1. Yoga:
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Yoga exercises provide individuals strength, stability, and flexibility while reducing and preventing the severity of many illnesses that are especially harmful to women's health.
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Yoga poses are the most practical, cheap, and drug-free approach. Yoga has a positive impact on people's ability to tolerate discomfort.
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Different asanas have been stated. They include Ushtrasana, Bhadrasana, Gomukhasana, Suryanamaskar, Sarpasana and Dhanurasana are very effective and all have analgesic properties.
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Yoga is the ideal remedy since it helps improve blood flow to the pelvic area and produces endorphins to balance prostaglandins.
2. Diet:
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Consume nutritious, hot, and fresh foods.
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Consume five to six modest meals daily.
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Have fresh fruits such as pomegranates, black grapes, apples, and plums.
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Consume more leafy greens.
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Use ginger in culinary dishes regularly.
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Eliminate foods that are high in sugar and fat.
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Consider taking supplements such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, B6, and thiamine B12.
3. Changes in Lifestyle:
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Make sure to exercise at least three times weekly and get at least six to eight hours of restful sleep.
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Avoid drinking and smoking.
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Decrease caffeine.
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Getting lots of sun exposure is a source of vitamin D and lowers the creation of prostaglandins that cause cramps.
4. Warm Massage in the Affected Regions:
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The most popular method for relieving period discomfort that many women turn to is using a hot water bottle.
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A heating pad or hot water bottle applied to the belly might help to relax the muscles and ease cramps.
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Heat may lessen cramping and pain by relaxing the uterine muscles and those around them.
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A heating pad can also be used on the lower back to relieve back discomfort. Another choice is to take a warm bath, which helps ease the tension in the legs, back, and abdomen.
5. Stay Hydrated:
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Water consumption is crucial throughout the menstrual cycle since it helps with problems like bloating.
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Sip some ginger or chamomile tea. Ajwain tea, or carom, is a miracle cure for menstruation cramps.
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Consider flavoring the mineral water for a novel approach to hydration. For example, make a large pitcher of mint water and sip it all day.
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Drinking plenty of water is essential for overall health and not only for cramps.
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In addition, all piping-hot, calming teas will soothe abdominal cramps.
6. Herbs From Ayurveda and Advice for Delayed Periods:
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The queen of herbs, asparagus, is a powerful stimulant of female reproduction. Adding powdered asparagus to milk, sugar, and honey is a fantastic period-control treatment.
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Sesame oil and dill seeds or Sathahva powder can help regulate periods.
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Numerous medical benefits of hibiscus, also known as Japakusuma, benefit the female reproductive system. One may drink it as herbal tea. Additionally, one might sauté a few hibiscus blossoms in ghee and eat them with warm milk.
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Black sesame seeds and jaggery control hormones related to reproduction and support healthy period flow.
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Overnight, infuse two tablespoons of fennel seeds in a glass of water. Drink the water in the morning after straining it.
7. Acupuncture and Acupressure:
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There is strong evidence to support the claim that acupuncture is particularly helpful in lowering the severity and duration of menstrual cramps.
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Contrary to medications, it minimizes period pain for subsequent cycles and treats the symptoms when they arise.
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In addition, this treatment may reduce inflammation, releasing endorphins and helping people relax.
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Put the thumb between the thumb and the second toe on the top of the foot. Apply equal pressure while pressing in the direction of the shin. Continue with the other foot.
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The liver energy flow is encouraged, the uterus and menstruation are controlled, the blood is moved, and stasis is removed using the acupuncture points chosen for primary dysmenorrhea.
8. Massaging the Belly:
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The pelvic muscles can be relaxed, and cramps are relieved by self-massaging the abdomen.
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To aid with this procedure, people might gently massage coconut oil, body lotion, or massage oil into their skin.
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Menstrual cramp sufferers may relieve themselves by rubbing their abdomen with aromatic oils.
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Adding essential oils to a carrier oil will help them massage one's abdomen effectively.
9. Toki-Shakuyaku-San (TSS):
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It is a Japanese herbal therapy that treats dysmenorrheic women. Since this substance is not regulated, different formulations may have different components and levels of efficacy.
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It does not inhibit ovulation or fertility. However, there needs to be more data to evaluate other herbal products.
Conclusion
Opinions of Ayurveda about primary dysmenorrhea result from a doshic imbalance that may be influenced by balanced living, which is defined by an appropriate diet, herbal supplements, regular exercise, yoga, and meditation as nourishing inputs from all five senses. Menstrual cramps are a common symptom before and during a period. Cramps are usually normal, but some situations may indicate something more serious. In order to rule out secondary causes of dysmenorrhea, pelvic ultrasonography should be done, and a referral for laparoscopy should be taken into consideration if dysmenorrhea is still uncontrollable after using any of these methods. If these home remedies do not successfully relieve menstrual cramps, it is essential to speak with a doctor.
