Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOD)
Modern perspective
Polycystic Ovary/Ovarian Syndrome (also known as Polycystic Ovary/ Ovarian Disease) is a common endocrinal disorder, where the patient has multiple cysts in and around ovaries.
Ovarian cysts are fluid filled sacs inside the ovary, which are common among women during their reproductive years. Mostly these cysts are harmless but some may cause problems such as rupturing, bleeding and pain, etc. Whenever the ovaries produce excess of oestrogen hormone the follicles (sacs) in the ovaries do not rupture and form cysts.
As a result, the ovary becomes enlarged and produces excessive amounts of androgen and oestrogen hormones. This excess, along with the absence of ovulation can cause infertility, irregular menstruation, premenstrual tension, acne, growth of extra facial and body hair. Insulin resistance, diabetes and weight gain are some of the other symptoms closely associated.. It affects approximately 10-30% women of reproductive age (15-45 years) and is one of the leading causes of infertility or menstrual disorders in women.
‘Large’ or pathological cysts’ can occur in about 5% of women during their reproductive years. Management of ovarian cysts through surgery is available to meet urgent medical needs by conventional medicine, but there is no known treatment to cure treat and manage single or multiple ovarian cyst except for surgery and hormonal therapy which can lead to major side effects.
Ayurveda, (the science of life) which is the oldest scientific system of medicines gives a new ray of hope.
According to Ayurveda
Factors that are responsible for ovarian cysts or which aggravate the condition are:
- Over-eating
- Excessive stress
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Sleeping during day time,
- Over intake of alcohol/tea/caffeine/fizzy drinks and other stimulants
- Increased intake of sour/salty/spicy tastes
- Excessive intake of fermented food like breads, yogurt and other bakery food
- Over intake of the south Indian dishes like idli/dosa
- Overindulgence of meat and sea food
- Repeated abortions, D& C procedures (dilatation and curettage of the cervix and uterus)
- Psychological conditions such as depression, feeling low, anger, and anxiety
- Stopping natural urges of urination, excretion, flatulence, sleep, hunger, thirst etc. can be secondary causes leading to major gynaecological disease as mentioned above
Reason According to Ayurvedic principles:
Ayurvedic principles clearly state that the entire gynaecological system is mainly made of blood, plasma, fat and muscle tissues. All the above reasons (a mix of some of them, or even a single reason in excess) can lead to major toxicity in the plasma and blood tissues, which then spread toxicity to the muscle and fat/adipose tissues. Thus, leading to hyper-toxicity in the entire gynaecological system. Microscopic channels in the ovaries are blocked which leads to ovarian cysts (PCOD) and even other major disorders like dysmenorrhoea, uterine fibroids, adenomyoma, endometriosis, leucorrhoea, cervical malignancy, repeated miscarriages etc.
Ayurveda body cure (ABC)’s customized treatment plan for Ovarian cysts:
Ayurveda suggests to exactly pin point the reasons for any disorder and stop them slowly or immediately. It also suggests dietary and lifestyle recommendations which restrict the generation of toxic plasma, blood, fat and muscle tissues in the body.
Yoga postures such as sun salutations, triangle pose, cat camel pose etc. and breathing techniques such as kapalbhanti – fast bellowing of the stomach etc. are very helpful if done on a daily basis for 20 -30 minutes altogether.
Herbal Remedies:
Depending on your individual body constitution, severity of symptoms, climatic conditions, diet and lifestyle habits, and other health issues a permutation and combination of Aloe vera- kumari, Sarica ashoka-Ashoka,Boerhavia diffusa -Punarnava, Trebualis teristata- gokhur, Tinospora cordifolio- Guduchi, Curcuma longa-Haridra, Hemidesmus indicus-sariva, Asparagus racemocea-Shatavari, Rubia cordifolia- manjishtha, etc , is helpful to detoxify the blood and gynaecological system , also helping at the same time to produce optimum body tissues . Thus, steadily diminishing all the symptoms before and during periods.
Rejuvenating herbs are then prescribed to tone the reproductive system to make it as healthy as it can be.
A combination of the above Ayurvedic herbal remedies is prescribed by the Ayurvedic physician depending on your body constitution, climatic conditions and level of pathology in your body.
However if PCOD has been there for several years and severe, or associated with other gynaecological disorders like uterine fibroids, dysmenorrhoea etc. your body might need a complete physical detoxification called as Panchakarma in Ayurveda. Here Medicated purgation and Medicated herbal enemas would be the preferable choice of the Ayurvedic physician, as it is natural and easy for the body to detoxify the gynaecological system from the lower channels. This is followed by a dose of herbal remedies from 3-6 months.
Ayurvedic Body treatments:
Shirodhara(third eye theraphy), Abhyanga(full body massage), Mardana( deep tissue massage), Pindsweda09hot poultice massage), Shiroabhyanga(head massage_) etc. are very effective if taken in a series of 7 -21 therapies continuously
