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With westernization and adoption of modern lifestyle which is not in tune with the nature, health of a woman is adversely affected. Modern day woman have all kinds of roles to fill in. They are expected to be feminine and masculine; powerful and gentle; attractive and motherly at the same time. This has led to build an excessive amount of stress, anxiety and tension in a woman right from her childhood. In the pursuit of her dreams and pressure to balance all these aspects smartly, somewhere the health is not given priority and thus neglected. The lifestyle and diet which are backbone of the health and well-being in any individual are not always carefully selected. Increase in the stress levels is directly proportional to the hormonal imbalances and menstrual disorders.<ref>Ekpenyong CE, Davis KJ, Akpan UP, Daniel NE. Academic stress and menstrual disorders among female undergraduates in Uyo, South Eastern Nigeria - the need for health education. Niger J Physiol Sci. 2011;26:193–198</ref> <ref>Zhou M, Wege N, Gu H, Shang L, Li J, Siegrist J. Work and family stress is associated with menstrual disorders but not with fibrocystic changes: cross-sectional findings in Chinese working women. J Occup Health. 2010;52:361–366.</ref> <ref>Rafique N, Al-Sheikh MH. Prevalence of menstrual problems and their association with psychological stress in young female students studying health sciences. ''Saudi Med J''. 2018;39(1):67-73. doi:10.15537/smj.2018.1.21438</ref> At the same time unwholesome diet which is deficient in necessary nutrients and sedentary stressful lifestyle untuned to the biological clock inside body negetively impacts health leading to weaker constitution and low immunity. It is seen that now-a-days there is high incidence of a variety of menstrual health problems in pre-menarche, during menstruation, perimenopause and postmenopause. PCOS like conditions are widely prevalent in today's woman causing menstrual irregularities and infertility. <ref>Mehreen TS, Ranjani H, Kamalesh R, Ram U, Anjana RM, Mohan V. Prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome among adolescents and young women in India. J Diabetol 2021;12:319-25</ref> Therefore there is an urgent need of measures for prevention and control of generalized an well as reproductive health disorders in woman. The ancient shastra of Ayurveda has already given the ways to prevent these disorders and preserve a woman health. Thus there is need to adopt the various paricharyas related to different phases of woman life to as much extent as one can. Along with that natural herbal medicine and panchakarma therapies can definitely help modern day woman to preserve her health while trying to maintain the work-life balance. Here is brief account on the common health issues faced by today's women and how the wisdom of Ayurveda can help them come out of these conditions and preserve health and well-being.
With westernization and adoption of modern lifestyle which is not in tune with the nature, health of a woman is adversely affected. Modern day woman have all kinds of roles to fill in. They are expected to be feminine and masculine; powerful and gentle; attractive and motherly at the same time. This has led to build an excessive amount of stress, anxiety and tension in a woman right from her childhood. In the pursuit of her dreams and pressure to balance all these aspects smartly, somewhere the health is not given priority and thus neglected. The lifestyle and diet which are backbone of the health and well-being in any individual are not always carefully selected. Increase in the stress levels is directly proportional to the hormonal imbalances and menstrual disorders.<ref>Ekpenyong CE, Davis KJ, Akpan UP, Daniel NE. Academic stress and menstrual disorders among female undergraduates in Uyo, South Eastern Nigeria - the need for health education. Niger J Physiol Sci. 2011;26:193–198</ref> <ref>Zhou M, Wege N, Gu H, Shang L, Li J, Siegrist J. Work and family stress is associated with menstrual disorders but not with fibrocystic changes: cross-sectional findings in Chinese working women. J Occup Health. 2010;52:361–366.</ref> <ref>Rafique N, Al-Sheikh MH. Prevalence of menstrual problems and their association with psychological stress in young female students studying health sciences. ''Saudi Med J''. 2018;39(1):67-73. doi:10.15537/smj.2018.1.21438</ref> At the same time unwholesome diet which is deficient in necessary nutrients and sedentary stressful lifestyle untuned to the biological clock inside body negetively impacts health leading to weaker constitution and low immunity. It is seen that now-a-days there is high incidence of a variety of menstrual health problems in pre-menarche, during menstruation, perimenopause and postmenopause. PCOS like conditions are widely prevalent in today's woman causing menstrual irregularities and infertility. <ref>Mehreen TS, Ranjani H, Kamalesh R, Ram U, Anjana RM, Mohan V. Prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome among adolescents and young women in India. J Diabetol 2021;12:319-25</ref> Therefore there is an urgent need of measures for prevention and control of generalized an well as reproductive health disorders in woman. The ancient shastra of Ayurveda has already given the ways to prevent these disorders and preserve a woman health. Thus there is need to adopt the various paricharyas related to different phases of woman life to as much extent as one can. Along with that natural herbal medicine and panchakarma therapies can definitely help modern day woman to preserve her health while trying to maintain the work-life balance. Here is brief account on the common health issues faced by today's women and how the wisdom of Ayurveda can help them come out of these conditions and preserve health and well-being.
=== Menstrual problems ===
Irregular menstrual cycle, scanty menses, painful periods, PMS, heavy bleeding, prolonged bleeding etc are commonly observed menstrual disturbances in majority of girls and women in fertile age group. Many a times these are associated with increase or decrease in weight, weakness and digestive disturbances. These days, the symptoms like lower abdominal pain, backpain, mood swings, nausea etc are considered as just the associated symptoms of menstrual cycle and believd to be normal. But our classics have clearly mentioned that a normal menstruation should be devoid of pain burning sensation or any other discomfort. Thus it is necessary that even the minor discomfort during menstruaiton is indicative of some underlying health condition and this can be well managed with Ayurveda's wisdom. Ayurveda speaks about Rajakshaya and rajodushti by specific doshas which generally cover such menstrual disturbances. In such cases a vaidya usually assesses the diet and lifestyle of suffering woman, evaluates her general health to understand her [[Agni in Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदे अग्निः)|agni]] status, [[Balam (बलम्)|balam]], [[Manas (मनः)|manas]] status, [[Doshas (दोषाः)|doshas]] and [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]]. Once these aspects are understood a course of natural medicinies is usually designed to address all her health concerns that are interlinked and not just the menstruation is targeted. This helps to bring natural balance of doshas improving her general health condition and ultimately normalising her menstrual cycle. Various herbs like kumari (Aloe vera), Ashoka (Saraca indica), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Amalaki (Embelica officinalis), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) are found to be very helpful in treating such disturbances effectively. Along with that, [[Panchakarmas (पञ्चकर्माणि)|panchakarmas]] like [[Vamana (वमनम्)|Vamana]], [[Virechana (विरेचनम्)|Virechana]], [[Basti (बस्तिः )|Basti]] are advised if the imbalance is beyond the level of medicinal management. Also it is advisable to follow Rajaswala paricharya (described earlier on this page) as much as possible to prevent the recurrence and preserve the reproductive and genralised health.
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.
=== PCOS ===
Polycystic ovarian Syndrome is widely prevalent endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age group. It is associated with a broad range of health conditions including hyperandrogenemia leading to hair loss, unwanted hair growth on face and other body parts, acne etc, high BP & Cholesterol, insulin resistance leading to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) etc. PCOS is also one of the primary causes of infertility in women. Sedentary lifestyle, excessive stress levels and over weight are some of the factors that predispose a young girl or woman to PCOS.When compared to age related controls, women with PCOS are found to have 11-fold increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome and glucose intolerance. Therefore it is understood that PCOS is one such endocrine disorder in woman which hampers reproductive, metabolic and mental health of a woman. Looking at the rate at which the incidence of PCOS is increasing it is necessary to adopt measures to prevent occurrence of PCOS and also if already developed then search safe and effective measures to manage this condition.
As mentioned earlier, Ayurveda looks at any such disorder as an imbalance of agni, doshas, dhatus etc and works at that root level of problem to achieve menstrual balance, optimize the metabolic function, prevent the complications and bring about the complete balance in internal bodily environment. Various herbs like amalaki (Embelica officinalis), trifala, Cumin, turmeric, kumari (Aloe vera), Punarnava (Borrhavia diffusa) are found very effective in balancing the hormonal levels in PCOS. Along with that medicines to address other associated health conditions, improve agni, cleanse bowel, strengthen dhatus are also given in combination. Panchakarma therapies like Basti, Uttabasti, vamana, Virechana, Abhyanga, Swedana etc are found to be very effective in re-establishing the feminine balance that tis disturbed in PCOS. Great emphasize is also given on diet and lifestyle. Woman with PCOS is given guidance about her lifestyle , [[Dinacharya (दिनचर्या)|Dinacharya]] (daily routine), [[Rutucharya (ऋतुचर्या)|Rtucharya]] and advised not to suppress [[Vega (वेगाः)|vegas]] (natural urges). She is also advised to follow Rajswala paricharya and Rtumati paricharya once the hormonal balance is restored and menstrual cycle is regularised.
=== Infertility ===
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.
Menstrual irregularities
Menstrual irregularities