Menstrual Problems

In the modern world, women must work continuously, in ignorance of their natural rhythms. Chemicals and pollution, a hectic lifestyle, intellectual exertion, and a richer diet contribute towards heavier and more frequent menstrual cycles, further contribute towards a wide range of imbalances and complaints.

It is thus essential that healthy menstrual practices be observed, so as to preserve the natural balance of the female body, for the sake of her own health and pregnancy.

Menstrual cycles can give rise to various physical and mental disturbances: Headaches, migraine attacks that induce vomiting, breast tenderness, feeling of bloatedness, and mood swings, among others. These are attributed to fluctuating hormone levels (of the estrogen and progesterone, mainly).

As regards the heavier form of menstrual cycles, the biological term for menstrual problems is dysmenorrhea, a medical condition characterized by severe uterine pain during menstruation. While many individuals experience minor pain during menstruation, dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when the pain is so severe as to limit normal activities, or require medication. Dysmenorrhea can feature different kinds of pain; including sharp, throbbing, dull, nauseating, burning, or shooting pain.

Symptoms of Menstrual Problems

A woman may experience difference symptoms depending on their respective body types:

How Ayurvedic Principles Will Help You

The following diet will be suggested: light foods that are warm and nourishing, immediately before and after the cycle; e.g. lightly steamed vegetables, well-cooked grains, lots of leafy greens and green herbs such as basil, cilantro, or parsley. Spices such as fennel, coriander, turmeric, cardamom and saffron are wonderful to enhance digestion and alleviate PMS symptoms.

Contrast the above with what doctors, who are conventionally trained in accordance with Western medicine, resort to:

1. Vitamin B6, and evening primrose oil; the former prescribed for painful periods, the latter for tender breasts.
2. Diuretics for water retention.
3. Tranquilizers and antidepressants for depression.
4. Progesterone therapy – natural progesterone in the form of suppositories – instead of progestagen (the side effects of which may cause depression).

More about Ayurvedic Diets here

Ayurvedic knowledge also postulates that excess toxins (ama) built up in the body may cause problems. Therefore, in Ayurveda, there are cleansing processes, called pancha karma, undertaken with the help of a trained practitioner, which rid the body of unwanted substances come to accumulate through incomplete digestion and other causes. Panchakarma removes toxins and balances the body and mind, and it consists of a specific cleansing diet enhanced by daily warm oil massages, steam sauna, mild herbal enemas, herbalized body scrubs and so on and so forth.

By ridding the body of these excesses during the menstrual time, the body is able to perform its natural biological functions more effectively. Can work more easily. So we suggest that you follow these simple dietary practices:

1. Sip plain hot water frequently throughout the day.
2. Eat a full, warm, cooked meal at lunchtime, but have a light and early dinner.
3. Avoid fried and sour foods. Instead, consume vegetables such as white pumpkin, papaya, drumstick, bitter gourd and cucumber.
4. Take at least twenty minutes to eat, and wait for some time before your next meal, so that the consumed food is digested properly first.
5. Get enough rest.

Ayurveda uses some types of herbs to reduce the effects of menstruation. For example:

1. Asafetida, which increases the secretion of progesterone, fried in ghee and mixed with goat milk and a spoonful of honey, to reduce menstrual pains and menstrual flow.
2. Bamboo leaves, which promote and regulate the menstrual flow.
3. Lemon grass, taken as or with tea, which reduces painful menstruation.

We suggest treatments such as Navarakizhi and Sarvanga Dhara for those undergoing menstruation problems.