Endometriosis is described as an abnormal growth of active endometrial tissue outside the uterus.
An estimated prevalence of endometriosis among women of reproductive age is high as 10%. This condition has a prevalence rate of 20-50% in infertile women, but it can be as high as 71-87% in women with chronic pelvic pain. It usually affect women in reproductive years and therefore very common cause of infertility. In our clinical practice, we find the high incidence of Endometriosis in multitasking and ambitious females. Excessive physical and mental exertion leads to Vata imbalance causing Endometriosis.
Symptoms of Endometriosis – The 6 ‘S’ –
Dysmenorrhoea – Painful periods
Deep seated pelvic pain
Dyspareunia – Painful sexual intercourse
Dyschezia – Painful motions
Dysuria- Painful urination
Disturbed menstruation- Excessive and irregular bleeding
Although endometriosis is not considered as a life threatening disease, is a life altering disease that requires timely diagnosis and treatment. The conventional treatment for Endometriosis includes Hormonal medicines, pain killers, repeated laparoscopic surgeries and finally pan hysterectomy.All these treatments add to the suffering of patient.
What is the Ayurvedic View for Endometriosis?
We can not find any one disease in Ayurveda which is exactly similar to Endometriosis in symptoms and pathology. However, Ayurveda has its own principles of classifying and diagnosing diseases. It is mentioned in Charak Samhita that even if a physician is unable to name a particular disease, knowledge of Dosha, site of manifestation, nidana (causes) would never fail his attempt to cure a disease.We can relate Endometriosis with vatik yoni vyapad, Udavarta, Granthi, Gulma, Visarpa etc according to the variable symptoms it shows in patients.
According to Ayurveda, this condition is due to disturbed or altered Vata dosha. Mainly “Apana vayu vikara”. Apana vata is a subtype of Vata dosha which is responsible for the downward elimination of urine, faces, flatus, child birth and menstrual blood. Apana vata Obstruction causes retrograde menstruation and leads to the accumulation or movement of endometrial tissue to settle in the extra uterine surfaces like the fallopian tubes and pelvic cavity. Often associated with severe pain and scanty menstruation are due to aggravated vata, excessive bleeding and burning sensation due to associated pitta dosha and heaviness, lethargy and slimy mucus bleeding with clots is due to associated aggravated Kapha dosha.
Causes of Endometriosis
It is a vata predominant condition especially a sub type of vata called Apana vata is vitiated. Both physical and mental factors are responsible for the Vata aggravation, mental stress is one among the major responsible factors for the Apana Vata Vikara. Factors such as delayed conceptions (delayed marriage), consuming too much cold, dry, rough, pungent, astringent and bitter substances, excess consumption of raw foods, excessive travelling, substance abuse, excess physical activity, travelling and suppression of 13 different vegas (Involuntary functions such as hunger,thirst, tears, urination, defecation, sneezing, farting etc. may cause aggravation of Vata in the body. Most of us tend to suppress these ‘vegas’(urges) in our day to day life situations.Because of these ‘vega dharan’( suppression of urges), the flow of apanavata gets disturbed which also controls the proper menstrual flow.
Taking Oral contraceptive pills for a longer duration is also one of the causes for endometriosis. However, it is very important to avoid the mental stress and over physical activity during the time of menstruation. Mental stress, excessive work, emotional stress, fear, grief and anger are the prime reasons for the stimulation Apana vata.
Ayurvedic Treatment Protocols
The first line of treatment is ‘Nidana Parivarjanam’ i.e. removal of the root cause. In the treatment of Endometriosis the root causes are Vata aggravating factors, one should identify the factors that are causing Vata aggravation and eliminate them accordingly.
Line of treatment:
1. Vata anuloman– channelising vata with Panchkarma like Vasti chikitsa , uttar vasti
and medicines.
2. Treatment for vataj yoni vyapad (appropiate medicine selection)
3. Treatment for Granthi/ gulma (regression of endometrium / chocolate cysts)
4. Shophhar chikitsa ( treatment for inflammations)
5. Raktaprasadan ( cleansing of toxins)
6. Rasayan chiktsa ( to avoid remissions)
Appropriate treatment is advised according to the condition and constitution of an individual will be selected by the qualified Ayurvedic Gynecologist which will ensure the balanced digestive fire, with balanced vata to move in the downwards direction.
Endometriosis can be completely treated with Ayurveda.
Dr. Rani Gupta
Ayurveda Gynaecologist at SKK Ayurveda | M. D. (Ay. Gynae.) ( B.H.U) (Gold Medallist)
Contact : 011 – 4552 3443 | +91 98114 41562 | +91 9811440562
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