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there are some common life elements in both of them making them equal. But at the same time, there are few characteristic features of a female body which make her capable of nurturing a life within, giving birth and nourishing a new life till the later becomes capable of surviving by own. These features are not found  in men. For this reason, Acharya Charaka has called woman as a root of progeny (child) while discussing various gynecological disorders affecting females in chikistasthanam of Charaka Samhita. <blockquote>यदपत्यानां मूलं नार्यः परं नृणाम्| (Char. Samh 30.5)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 30 Sutra 5)</ref></blockquote>In reference to this, Ayurveda samhitas mention about presence of various body organs like Yoni (योनिः), Garbhashayam (गर्भाशयम्), stana (स्तनौ), artavavaha srotas (आर्तववह स्त्रोतसम् The channels of transformation and transportation of female reproductive constituents)  etc in female which make her body different than male. Also, acharyas clearly mention that a female is born after conception when there is abundance of artava (आर्तवम्) or rakta (रक्तम्/ शोणितम् feminine reproductive tissue) in the product of conception.<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 3 Sutra 5)</ref> Artava inherently possesses excessive heat. <ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adyaya 14 Sutra 7)</ref> Thus, pertaining to it (high pitta levels in body), a female body develops certain characteristics like generally having less tolerance, strength and emotional stability than male counterpart. These multiple features make a woman different than man and necessitate development of certain health protocols specifically designed for feminine balance. Acharya Chraka also says that a [[Vaidya (वैद्यः)|vaidya]] should keep these differences in mind while selecting the drugs, their dosage for women so as to make the medicine tolerable and effective at the same time. Such peculiarities of female body which are commonly observed in the clinical settings while treating the female patient have been cleverly put forward by Acharya Charaka in Vimanasthanam.<ref>Charak Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=read Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 94])</ref>

there are some common life elements in both of them making them equal. But at the same time, there are few characteristic features of a female body which make her capable of nurturing a life within, giving birth and nourishing a new life till the later becomes capable of surviving by own. These features are not found  in men. For this reason, Acharya Charaka has called woman as a root of progeny (child) while discussing various gynecological disorders affecting females in chikistasthanam of Charaka Samhita. <blockquote>यदपत्यानां मूलं नार्यः परं नृणाम्| (Char. Samh 30.5)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 30 Sutra 5)</ref></blockquote>In reference to this, Ayurveda samhitas mention about presence of various body organs like Yoni (योनिः), Garbhashayam (गर्भाशयम्), stana (स्तनौ), artavavaha srotas (आर्तववह स्त्रोतसम् The channels of transformation and transportation of female reproductive constituents)  etc in female which make her body different than male. Also, acharyas clearly mention that a female is born after conception when there is abundance of artava (आर्तवम्) or rakta (रक्तम्/ शोणितम् feminine reproductive tissue) in the product of conception.<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 3 Sutra 5)</ref> Artava inherently possesses excessive heat. <ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adyaya 14 Sutra 7)</ref> Thus, pertaining to it (high pitta levels in body), a female body develops certain characteristics like generally having less tolerance, strength and emotional stability than male counterpart. These multiple features make a woman different than man and necessitate development of certain health protocols specifically designed for feminine balance. Acharya Chraka also says that a [[Vaidya (वैद्यः)|vaidya]] should keep these differences in mind while selecting the drugs, their dosage for women so as to make the medicine tolerable and effective at the same time. Such peculiarities of female body which are commonly observed in the clinical settings while treating the female patient have been cleverly put forward by Acharya Charaka in Vimanasthanam.<ref>Charak Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=read Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 94])</ref>

== The branch and treatise of Ayurveda for women's health ==

== The branch of Ayurveda and treatise for women's health ==

[[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ashtanga Ayurveda]] refers to the 8 branches of Ayurveda dealing with 8 different aspects of life and health. Among these 8 specialties the one named as 'Kaumarabhrtya tantra'  (कौमारभृत्यतन्त्रम् ) is that branch which provides knowledge of treating diseases occurring in neonates, infants and children. Diseases in this age group are considered to be caused by imbalances in nutrition, contaminated breast milk from feeding mother etc. Thus many of the feminine disorders particularly related to child birth, breast feeding etc can be considered to be the topic of discussion under Kaumarabhrtya tantra. Most of the gynecological, pregnancy related or ante-natal, post partum health conditions can be found to be described under various sthanas like Sharirasthana, uttarasthana of Ayurveda treatises.  

[[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ashtanga Ayurveda]] refers to the 8 branches of Ayurveda dealing with 8 different aspects of life and health. Among these 8 specialties the one named as 'Kaumarabhrtya tantra'  (कौमारभृत्यतन्त्रम् ) is that branch which provides knowledge of treating diseases occurring in neonates, infants and children. Diseases in this age group are considered to be caused by imbalances in nutrition, contaminated breast milk from feeding mother etc. Thus many of the feminine disorders particularly related to child birth, breast feeding etc can be considered to be the topic of discussion under Kaumarabhrtya tantra. Most of the gynecological, pregnancy related or ante-natal, post partum health conditions can be found to be described under various sthanas like Sharirasthana, uttarasthana of Ayurveda treatises.  

In reference to the childbearing capacity of a woman and various structural and functional peculiarities designed to facilitate the reproduction woman, is believed to have 3 important milestones in her life. These are health related milestones which are dependent on the hormones, strength and overall health of that woman. Menstruation is known as Rajapravrtti or [[Rajodharma (रजोधर्मः)|rajodharma]] in Ayurveda. The start and end of the menstruation are considered 2 important milestones and development of ability to conceive and reproduce at a certain age so as to get healthy progeny and uneventful or safe motherhood is considered to be the other milestone. Acharyas have clearly stated the age at which a woman can reach upto these milestones as below.

In reference to the childbearing capacity of a woman and various structural and functional peculiarities designed to facilitate the reproduction woman, is believed to have 3 important milestones in her life. These are health related milestones which are dependent on the hormones, strength and overall health of that woman. Menstruation is known as Rajapravrtti or [[Rajodharma (रजोधर्मः)|rajodharma]] in Ayurveda. The start and end of the menstruation are considered 2 important milestones and development of ability to conceive and reproduce at a certain age so as to get healthy progeny and uneventful or safe motherhood is considered to be the other milestone. Acharyas have clearly stated the age at which a woman can reach upto these milestones as below.

=== Rajapravrtti and Rajonivrtti ===

=== Rajapravrtti and Rajonivrtti (Menarche and Menopause) ===

Menarch which means the beginning of menstrual cycle is the first milestone which is achieved mostly at the age of 12 years. From this time the menstrual cycle known as Rajapravrtti or Rajapraseka starts and continues till the conception occurs. At the age of around 50 years when the dhatus of sharira become senile or mature completely the rajapraseka stops permanently and it is known as Rajonivrtti meaning menopause. Thus age of 12 years and 50 years is thus considered significant in terms of menstrual cycle and hormonal balance as per Ayurveda. <blockquote>तद्वर्षाद्द्वादशात् काले वर्तमानमसृक् पुनः | जरापक्वशरीराणां याति पञ्चाशतः क्षयम् ||११|| (Sush. Samh. 3.11)<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 3 Sutra 11)</ref></blockquote>

Menarch which means the beginning of menstrual cycle is the first milestone which is achieved mostly at the age of 12 years. From this time the menstrual cycle known as Rajapravrtti or Rajapraseka starts and continues till the conception occurs. At the age of around 50 years when the dhatus of sharira become senile or mature completely the rajapraseka stops permanently and it is known as Rajonivrtti meaning menopause. Thus age of 12 years and 50 years is thus considered significant in terms of menstrual cycle and hormonal balance as per Ayurveda. <blockquote>तद्वर्षाद्द्वादशात् काले वर्तमानमसृक् पुनः | जरापक्वशरीराणां याति पञ्चाशतः क्षयम् ||११|| (Sush. Samh. 3.11)<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 3 Sutra 11)</ref></blockquote>

=== Samatavagata veeryam ===

=== Samatavagata veeryam (Minimum age appropriate for conception) ===

If the age of rajapravrtti is normal as per the standards, the age at which that woman can bear a child or conceive and have a safe motherhood as well as a healthy progeny is considered the second milestone. This time was previously considered to be the minimum standard age of a woman to conceive so as to maintain good health and life as per Ayurveda. Samatavagata means to attain and veerya refers to the necessary strength woman needs for reproduction. Ayurveda acharyas have stated that the age of 16 years in woman's life can be considered to be such an age. <blockquote>पञ्चविंशे ततो वर्षे पुमान् नारी तु षोडशे | समत्वागतवीर्यौ तौ जानीयात् कुशलो भिषक् ||१३|| (Sush. Samh. 35.13)<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 35 Sutra 13)</ref></blockquote>Commentary of Dalhana:  समत्वागतवीर्याविति समत्वं परिपूर्णत्वमागतं वीर्यं ययोस्तौ समत्वागतवीर्यौ, रसादिधातुपरिपूर्त्या वीर्यपूर्तिः, परिपूर्णसर्वधातुकावित्यर्थः| अन्ये त्वेवं पठन्ति ‘समन्वागतवीर्यौ’ इति; “सम्यगनु पश्चादागतं वीर्यमुपचयशक्तिलक्षणं ययोः” इति च व्याख्यानयन्ति||

If the age of rajapravrtti is normal as per the standards, the age at which that woman can bear a child or conceive and have a safe motherhood as well as a healthy progeny is considered the second milestone. This time was previously considered to be the minimum standard age of a woman to conceive so as to maintain good health and life as per Ayurveda. Samatavagata means to attain and veerya refers to the necessary strength woman needs for reproduction. Ayurveda acharyas have stated that the age of 16 years in woman's life can be considered to be such an age. <blockquote>पञ्चविंशे ततो वर्षे पुमान् नारी तु षोडशे | समत्वागतवीर्यौ तौ जानीयात् कुशलो भिषक् ||१३|| (Sush. Samh. 35.13)<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 35 Sutra 13)</ref></blockquote>Commentary of Dalhana:  समत्वागतवीर्याविति समत्वं परिपूर्णत्वमागतं वीर्यं ययोस्तौ समत्वागतवीर्यौ, रसादिधातुपरिपूर्त्या वीर्यपूर्तिः, परिपूर्णसर्वधातुकावित्यर्थः| अन्ये त्वेवं पठन्ति ‘समन्वागतवीर्यौ’ इति; “सम्यगनु पश्चादागतं वीर्यमुपचयशक्तिलक्षणं ययोः” इति च व्याख्यानयन्ति||

==== Sutika paricharya ====

==== Sutika paricharya ====

== Various woman's health conditions and Ayurveda's perspective ==

== Various woman's health conditions described in Ayurveda ==

=== Rajodushti ===

=== Rajodushti ===

=== Vandhyatwa ===

=== Vandhyatwa ===

== Woman's health issues in current tie and how Ayurveda can help ==

== Woman's health issues in current time and how Ayurveda can help ==