Women related diseases are diseases that affect reproductive organ of a woman. Ayurveda explains these diseases in detail and gives recommendations on its treatment. Pregnancy care and diseases related to infertility are also important part of women health. Ayurveda gives bigger meaning to pregnancy. It describes garbha (foetus – baby in womb) as a combination of various factors: maternal, paternal, mental, dietary, and factors related to body and soul.
These paternal and maternal factors can be improved by following right guideline. Ayurveda for pregnant women gives guideline that includes right conduct of speech, body, and mind. There is Ayurvedic diet for pregnant women, Ayurvedic lifestyle for pregnant women and effective herbs that can ease certain problems of pregnancy.
There are types of Women's Health conditions:
Acidity or heartburn is a common complaint during pregnancy. The symptoms are usually a sharp burning sensation in the centre of the chest. This is caused due to the reflux of the stomach acids into the food pipe or esophagus.
Heartburn and gas formation are key symptoms in acidity. In Ayurveda, acidity is commonly known as ‘Urdhavg Amalpitta’. It is caused because of the movement of gastric juices, which is acidic in nature, from stomach towards food pipe (esophagus). When aggravated pitta dosha is associated with aggravated kapha, the acid starts climbing the food pipe (esophagus).
Acne is a common condition affecting pregnant women. Skin problems are common during pregnancy. The primary cause of acne during pregnancy is the increased hormones in the first trimester. If a woman does not develop acne during the first trimester, it is unlikely that they will have acne during the second or third trimesters. Most medications that are normally prescribed for acne are harmful for the baby leading to birth defects. Thus treatment can be a challenge.
According to Ayurveda, when pitta aggravates in the body, it can lead to acne.
Anemia is defined as a condition where there is not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues in the body. Lack of adequate nutrients and oxygen affect several organs. Anemia during pregnancy can be fatal as it is associated with low birth weight and premature birth in the baby and maternal deaths. Women who are pregnant are at a higher risk for developing anemia mainly because excess nutrients are required during this time. Anemia during pregnancy can be a mild condition and easily treated if detected early. However, it can become dangerous, to both the mother and the baby, if it goes untreated.
In Ayurveda, Garbhini-Pandu (anemia in pregnancy) has been described in classical text (Kashyapa Samhita). It explains that if a pregnant woman become weak and pale, her fetus gets troubled. This condition is similar to anemia in pregnancy and its complications.
In a pregnant woman (Garbhini), the blood has to provide nutrition for three causes - nourishment of mother’s body, for lactation and for growth of the fetus. Thus, a pregnant woman (Garbhini) is more prone to suffer from Pandu. In all types of Pandu, Pitta is the root cause.
The breasts begin their work once the labour/delivery pains have begun. The hormone prolactin is responsible for the secretion of the milk. The first milk of the mother is called colostrum. It comes as yellow to orange in color and thick and sticky in texture. It is easy to digest and best for the baby. Colostrum has a laxative effect on the baby that helps him pass his stools, which goes on to help in the removal of excess bilirubin (a yellow pigment in blood & stool) and helps prevent jaundice. This type of pre milk substance flows for about 2-4 days before the letdown of the actual milk.
According to Ayurveda, the mother’s breast being located in the Anahata chakra (heart center) of the body signifies that breasts are supposed to provide love and nurturing nourishment to the baby. Breast milk is called amrita, nectar, for the growing child. It is the essence (upadhatu) of the rasa dhatu (plasma - nutrients of blood).
Normal bowel function varies from person to person. Constipation is defined as having less than three bowel motions per week with stools that are hard and difficult to pass. There may also be a need to push or strain, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation.
Having a healthy diet, plenty of fluids and regular exercise will help to maintain regular bowel motions. It is better to prevent constipation in the first place than try to treat it later, especially in pregnancy.
Ayurveda treats constipation as a problem arising due to the predominance of the vata dosha. In fact, all people with the vata constitution may have this problem to some extent or the other.
Constipation is a common symptom during pregnancy. A majority of women experience constipation during pregnancy, which is usually worse in the second trimester.1 The majority of cases are simple constipation that occurs due to a combination of hormonal and mechanical factors affecting normal gastrointestinal function. However, a number of women suffer from constipation prior to conception and find their symptoms worsen during pregnancy.
Dehydration means loss of fluids and water. It can be a very problematic condition during pregnancy. The baby remains in the amniotic fluid (fluid in which baby grows in the womb). Dehydration in the mother for a long time may lead to deprivation of the baby of essential fluids/nutrients. Dehydration, particularly severe cases can be very dangerous for the mother.
Dysmenorrhoea refers to menstrual cramps. They are typically throbbing or cramping pains in the lower abdomen, back and legs. These pains are usually apparent just before and during the menstrual periods in most women who suffer from dysmenorrhoea. The intensity and severity of the condition may range from annoying or a discomfort to more severe so that it interferes with everyday activities for a few days every month. While it may be seen in most women without any underlying pathology, there may be identifiable problems underneath which includes endometriosis or uterine fibroids. Treating any underlying cause would help in reducing the pain. Dysmenorrhoea tends to lessen with age and after childbirth.
In Ayurvedic classics, menstrual pain which is so severe that you cannot perform daily activities is termed as dysmenorrhoea (Kashtartava).5 According to Ayurvedic text there are many other diseases in which Kashtartava is described as a symptom.4 According to Ayurveda, aggravation of vata and pitta dosha are the main causes of menstrual diseases.
Pregnancy is a delicate time and any ailment during this time may be cause for concern for both the mother and the baby. Symptoms of fever during this time include the common symptoms such as high temperature, sweating, shivering, headache, muscle aches, dehydration and tiredness. Since immune system may be weak during pregnancy, the risk of fever due to viral infections is higher during this time. Mild fevers that last only a short time usually are not a concern.
In Ayurveda, disturbance/dysregulation in the body temperature is called Jwara (fewer). Fever can be a disease or can be a symptom of other disease. It is classified into eight categories depending on the dosha involved in development of fever such as: Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Vata-Pitta, Vata-Kapha, Pitta-Kapha, Vata-Pitta-Kapha and Aghantuja.
Endometriosis is a painful condition caused due to abnormal growth of inner liningof wall of uterus or the endometrium outside the uterus. As this tissue is responsive to the cyclical hormonal changes of menstruation. They continue to bleed on a monthly basis even on the outside of uterus. This leads to build up of tissue around the pelvis, fallopian tubes, ovaries, rectum and intestinal area.
With endometriosis there is no route for escape and so old blood and cells that deposit in the pelvis may cause congestion and pelvic, intestinal and rectal pain, painful periods, fertility problems etc.
Ayurveda explains that endometriosis is as a result of disturbed Vata dosha. Under Ayurveda, there are five sub-types of Vata that govern and direct all movement in the body, in five directions – upwards, downwards, inwards, outwards and around.
Amongst them, Apana Vaata is responsible for the downward moving wind that is in charge of initiating all body fluid elimination impulses – e.g. urination, bowel motions, sperm ejaculation, child birth and menstruation. Apana is the basis for removing waste or unwanted materials from the body, if it is interrupted or obstructed for some reason it will begin to create problems. In the case of endometriosis the menstrual blood begins to move upward instead of downward. This means that a portion of the endometrium that should be passed out during menstruation is also propelled upward through the fallopian tubes and into the stomach (peritoneal cavity).
Hormones play a crucial role in health of women. Frequent changes in hormone levels, estrogen and progesterone especially, negatively affect mood, sexual desire, ovulation, and fertility in females. Hormonal imbalance can cause early menopause and hot flashes. Few causes for this hormonal imbalance could be taking contraceptive medications, hormone replacement therapy, stress, poor diet, environmental causes (exposure to chemical, pollution), too much intake of non-organic and animal products (beef, milk) which have excessive estrogen.
Itching in pregnancy is often ignored as an irritating and minor side effect of pregnancy. However it can become a complication of pregnancy whereby the bile (yellow pigment of blood and stool) is unable to be excreted normally by the pregnant mother. Severe itching due to other causes too can cause distress and affect sleep of a pregnant lady.
Ayurveda describes ‘Kikkisa’ as a common disorder that is seen on abdomen from seventh month onwards. Imbalances in tridosha (vata, pitta, kapha) due to the growing baby leads to burning sensation and itching as symptoms leading to stretch marks.
There have been several reports that women should be pregnant before the age of 35. Reports suggest that there is a rise of infertility rates beyond this age and it is increasingly difficult for women to become pregnant after the age of 35. It also said that women over 35 have a higher risk of miscarriage. Various medical societies and association recommend the optimal age for childbearing is 20 to 35.
Maternal age at the time of conception is important for a healthy child. Late conception may bring many complications in pregnancy. According to Ayurveda following factors affect the health and normalcy of a fetus
Menopause is the time when menstrual periods stop permanently and women are no longer able to bear children. It is defined as occurring 12 months after a woman’s last menstrual period and marks the end of menstrual cycles. Menopause can happen in the 40s or 50s. It is a natural biological process that ends the fertility. However it is no reason not to stay healthy and vital.
Ayurveda describes menopause as a normal stage of life that comes with aging. ‘Vata’ increased during the later years of life. Hence symptoms of menopause experienced by some women are similar to the symptoms seen when the Vata dosha rises and upsets the normal balance of the body. Vata-type menopausal symptoms are depression, anxiety, and insomnia (not able to sleep properly). There can be involvement of more than one dosha in menopause. Women with Pitta-type symptoms are often angry and suffer hot flashes. Kapha type symptoms include low mood, weight gain, and feelings of mental and physical heaviness.
Oligomenorrhea is defined as irregular or very little menstrual bleeding. Women whose periods arrived normally and regularly established but later they developed problems with infrequent flow are said to be suffering from oligomenorrhea. The periods may occur at intervals of greater than 35 days. There may be only four to nine periods in a year instead of twelve. It may indicate an underlying disease condition for example polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However some other lifestyle factors can also cause this disease such as emotional stress or excessive exercise.
In Ayurveda it is called as ‘Artava (menstrual blood) Kshaya (loss) or Artava (menstrual blood) Ksheenata (weakening) Sushruta described that imbalance in vata and kapha affect menstrual flow. When genital organs are surrounded by excess vata and kapha it results into oligomenorrohea/ amenorrhea.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a condition that presents with a wide variety of discomforts and unpleasant symptoms related to the periods. At least three in four menstruating women have experienced some form of premenstrual syndrome at least once in their lives. The symptoms may range from slightly evident to intense. Treatments and lifestyle adjustments can help in reducing and managing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Ayurveda does not have a standard definition for PMS but it is defined as a group of symptoms associated with diseases related to periods.
After delivery of her baby, the mother is known as Sutika and this post-pregnancy period is called Sutika kala or puerperium. In India, postpartum period or the period after childbirth is given a lot of importance. Mothers begin to gradually recover after childbirth and simultaneously, the bonding between them and their newborn starts being established. It is also the time when the mothers start breasfeeding their child. This traditional period of confinement usually lasts for 6 weeks or 40 days. In India, the women either return to their maternal house for the end of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum or the women’s mothers usually come to stay with them. Thus, Indian women are traditionally cared for her their female relatives and most importantly their mothers during this period.
Union of sperm and ovum starts a new life in mother’s uterus. This is the start of the pregnancy. Pregnancy period is divided into 3 distinct periods called trimester. The word trimester means 3 months. A normal pregnancy spans 40 weeks or 9 months. There are thus 3 trimesters. The first trimester begins as soon as the baby is conceived and continues through week 14 of the pregnancy.
Unlike western world, Ayurveda gives bigger meaning to pregnancy. It describes garbha (foetus – baby in womb) as a combination of various factors: maternal, paternal, mental, dietary, and factors related to body and soul. These paternal and maternal factors can be improved by following right guideline. This guideline includes right conduct of speech, body, and mind. Childbirth is a great marvel of nature where many complex factors come together to develop a new human being with healthy mind and body.
The second trimester of pregnancy is the time between the 13th and the 28th week of pregnancy that is typically 40 weeks or 9 months in duration. The discomforting symptoms of the first trimester like morning sickness, fatigue, bloating etc are typically lower during this time. It is sometimes the easiest of the three trimesters of pregnancy. During this time the baby grows rapidly.
The third trimester of pregnancy starts at the end of sixth month and continues till the end of pregnancy i.e. delivery. It can be physically and emotionally taxing. The discomfort with the growing baby is at its extreme.
Ayurveda describes third trimester as the trimester in which fetus is growing in all important organs. In this phase, women’s are anxious, have many questions and develop aches, pains and digestive disturbances. This phase is used to prepare the mother mentally and physically for delivery. Along with health of the mother certain organs need special attention such as birth canal, uterus, and breast nourishment for good lactation after delivery.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when harmful bacteria attack the urinary system, causing an infection. The further up in the urinary system the infection is located, the more serious it is and it can result in minor or major illnesses. Urine infection is quite common during pregnancy. If left untreated, some urine infections may progress to cause serious kidney infections and may seriously harm the pregnancy.
In Ayurveda, UTI is called mutrakcchra (mutra means ooze and krichra means painful), and has the most common symptom of painful urination. In Ayurveda, any type of discomfort during urination and lower tract infection problems are considered a part of the condition Mutrakrcchra.