Dysmenorrhoea

Dysmenorrhoea is also known as menstrual cramps are throbbing or cramping pains in the lower abdomen. Many women have menstrual cramps just before and during their menstrual periods.

• Throbbing or cramping pain in lower abdomen. Pain that radiates to your lower back and thighs.
• Pain that starts 1 to 3 days before your period, peaks 24 hours after the onset of your period and subsides in 2 to 3 days.
• Fatigue.
• Dull, continuous ache.

Some women might also have:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Loose stools
• Nausea

1. Vata - responsible for the downward flow of blood gets aggravated due to
   Suppression of natural urges (Natural urges are the Involuntary functions such as hunger, tears, urination, sneezing, farting etc.)
2. Sedentary lifestyle.
3. Lack of sleep.
4. Not having adequate physical or mental rest during menses.
5. Stress and anxiety.
6. Eating junk or heavy to digest food during PMS.
7. Eating late night dinners or sleeping late etc.

Dysmenorrhea can be correlated with Udavartini Yonivyapad in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda there are three biological elements present in our body they are vata, pitta and kapha which should be in balance. A subdivision of vata is responsible for the downward flow of blood (menstruation), when this vata gets aggravated it will obstruct the flow of menstrual  blood and produce menstrual cramps.

Treatment protocol aims at: 

1. Maintaining hormonal balance and relaxing the uterine muscles to reduce cramping.
2. Relief from discomfort and maintaining the normal reproductive health.
3. Provide strength and stamina to the whole body.

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding/treating the causative factors. If the problem persists then consider the following treatment protocol.

• Throbbing or cramping pain, dull continuous ache -  Menstrual cramps are caused by contractions (tightening) in the uterus influenced by imbalance in hormones. Managing this condition with Ashoka, Ajamoda, Shunthi, Maricha, Pippali, Chandrashura, Hinguvashtak churna will help to reduce pain by relaxing the uterine muscles, normalise the vitiated vata and ease the downward flow of blood.
• Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea, and Headaches -  Caused by hormonal changes that occur during your menstrual cycle. This condition can be managed by using Chaturbeeja churna and Hingvashtak churna. It normalises the imbalanced hormones and corrects the digestion.
• Rejuvenating the reproductive system and treating fatigue - Chandraprabha vati also helps to support the whole body and mental health.

Other treatments - Virechana, Abhyanga

Chandraprabha vati, Ashoka, Ajamoda, Shunthi, Maricha, Pippali, Chandrashura, Hingvashtak churna, Chaturbeeja churna

See your doctor if:

You just started having severe menstrual cramps after age 25

Your symptoms progressively worsen

Menstrual cramps disrupt your life every month