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== Different states of woman health and related health regime ==
== Different states of woman health and related health regime ==
Ayurveda not only defines all epoch’s of woman’s life like Bala, Kumari, Rajaswala, Ritumati, Garbhini, Prasava, Sutika etc, but also the health status in regards of Dosha and Dhatu variation and preventive steps in the form of diet and life style modifications to achieve health during all these epoch’s where drastic changes occurs which makes her susceptible for major illnesses. These diet and life-style modifications are known as Paricharya.
Ayurveda not only defines all epoch’s of woman’s life like Bala, Kumari, Rajaswala, Ritumati, Garbhini, Prasava, Sutika etc, but also the health status in regards of Dosha and Dhatu variation and preventive steps in the form of diet and life style modifications to achieve health during all these epoch’s where drastic changes occurs which makes her susceptible for major illnesses. These diet and life-style modifications are known as Paricharya.
Ayurveda helps women in the journey through different phases of her life with the help of paricharyas code of conduct to be followed during these phases like Rajaswala-Menstruation, Garbhini-Pregnancy and Sootika-Postpartum. Out of the three main epochs of a female life – Bala, Rajaswala and Vriddha, the Rajaswala is the largest and the most important period in the lifetime of a woman as it is the fertile period necessary for reproduction. The rajaswala paricharya helps women adapt well to the physiological changes taking place in the body during the menstruation and thus prevent occurrence of diseases. It also helps in conceiving a healthy offspring. However it is seen that the rajaswala paricharya is not being commonly followed now-a-days
=== Rajaswala ===
=== Rajaswala ===
Menstruaiton and PMS - The health of the female reproductive organs is essential for a woman’s healthy life. Any disturbance in the menstrual cycle lead to disturbances in her daily activities. Classical texts show a deep understanding of the menstrual cycle in relation to the doshas, thus giving women a profound natural and individualized way to treat various female health issues and avoid side effects of western medications. Although western medicine recommends lifestyle changes, like food, exercise and avoidance of stress these are not fully described nor treated individually. It has been shown that PMS is a complex syndrome which affects manny women today. Even though classical texts do not mention PMS specifically, all the descriptions related to yoni roga, are symptoms present in the description of PMS today. It has been shown that ancient practices are still gems which alleviate many symptoms and that can improve the quality of life of many women
==== Rajaswala paricharya ====
==== Rajaswala paricharya ====
Recognizing the changes infemale’s body during menstruation (Rajaswala),Ayurveda peers have described certain do’s and don’tsin the form of Rajaswala paricharya to maintain her balance of Doshas and help in proper menstrual func-tion. These modifications are in the form of eatinglight meal, observing celibacy, to eat directly orthrough leaf or clay vessel, avoiding pungent andspicy foods, not to sleep during daytime, not to per-form strenuous activities, avoiding use of scents in theform of anointments.1,2 Apart from these, many cul-tural and traditional restrictions are prevalent in manysocieties in the form of menstrual taboos in which iso-lation, not to
perform domestic work, religious activi-ties, and sexual activities are major.The observance and non observance of menstrual re-strictions and taboos are under debate since a decade.The issue of gender inequality and women empower-ment is raised while discussing about the restrictionsto be followed by female during menstruation. The21st century woman considers these restrictions as burden and a path of obstruction towards her empow-erment but the science behind following certain rulesare not emphasized. One 3should understand the sci-ence behind this and not blindly follow all the cam- paigns. The role of Apana vayu, menotoxins andvolatile compound like pheromones should never beoverlooked.3 Menotoxin – a substance with certain pharmacological and chemical reactions is believed to be secreted in sweat, saliva, menstrual blood, milk andother secretions in menstruating women. The researchshows that chemically these menotoxins exhibited properties near to oxycholestrin which causes prolon-gation of blood coagulation. The properties of this substance menotoxin were considered identical to Ne-crosin in another work. Necrosin is a toxic substance(inflammatory exudates) that induces leucopenia. 4,5 Pheromones, volatile compounds released in sweat,known for sexual attraction are supposed to influencemenstrual cycle of other female in contact. The inter-val of menstrual cycle of recipient female is short-ened.6,7,8 This is known as menstrual synchronizationwhich is common in hostel inmates and female mem- bers of same family Many explanations have been offered for the apparent effects of exercise on menstrual cycles, including lossof body fat (resulting in estrogen deficit), overallweight loss, dietary factors (especially low percentageof calories from protein and less dietary cholesterolwhich is building block of estrogen) emotional stressand exercise triggered release of endorphin (naturalsedative akin to morphine).3 Non observance of certain rules and restrictions leadsto sickness related to reproductive health of female.The tremendous increase in the infertility and PCODare the results of diet and lifestyle changes which are harmful for reproductive function
=== Rtumati ===
=== Rtumati ===
RUTUCHAKRA The menstrual cycle in Ayurveda is defined as Rutuchakra. “The word “chakra” signifies its regular onset at regular intervals, just like a cycle. Rutu means a specific time period. A single Rutuchakra covers a period of one Chandramasa (28 days) and it has been divided into 3 phases, the Rajahsravakala, the Rutu kala and the Rutuvyatita kaala.21”.(Dr. Aayushma and Dr. Neeta Mahesekar, “Rutuchakra: An Ayurveidc Perspective on Menstrual Cycle”, AIIRI, https://www.aiirjournal.com/uploads/Articles/2018/02/2859_24.Dr%20Aayushma%20&%20Dr%20Neeta%20Mahesekar.pdf)
==== Rtumati paricharya ====
==== Rtumati paricharya ====
Ritumati Paricharya are the rituals which prepares afemale physically and mentally for conception. Ayur-veda emphasizes on attaining a healthy progeny andfor this all the procedures beginning from the selec-tion of partner to the act of achieving conception isdescribed in detail. The best period for conception istermed as Ritukala which is after the stoppage of men-struation till next 12 days. 10 The female during this period is termed as Ritumati . After stoppage of men-struation, taking a head bath, offering prayers and preparing herself by using scents of flowers and goodclothes 11 acts as aphrodisiac and favors conception.The cervical glands which secrete alkaline mucus with pH of 7.8 is nutritive for spermatozoa. The character-istics of cervical secretions change throughout men-strual cycle. Under the influence of estrogen in prolif-erative phase of menstrual cycle (1 to 13 th day) thecervical mucus is rich in water and electrolyte, whichrenders it thin and clear favoring sperm penetration.Whereas after ovulation, under the influence of progesterone, the cervical mucus with increased proteincontent renders it thick, scanty and preventing furthersperm penetration. Hence before ovulation is the per-fect time for conception mentioned rightly as Ritukala under Ayurveda.
=== Garbhini ===
=== Garbhini ===
== Woman's health issues in current time and how Ayurveda can help ==
== Woman's health issues in current time and how Ayurveda can help ==
Thus, it is very difficult or rather next to impossible to follow the regimen as mentioned. Due to the adaptation to the western way of life there is aversion or rather ignorance towards our classical science. The so-called outdated system has lost its importance in today’s generation. In past few years there has been a drastic rise in the menstrual problems and infertility which is posing as a major threat to the present-day population. The symptoms like lower abdominal pain, backpain, mood swings, nausea etc are considered as associated symptoms of menstrual cycle and as normal. But our classics has mentioned that a normal menstruation should be devoid of pain burning sensation.
Menstrual irregularities
Menstrual irregularities