Interstitial Cystitis

Problem – Interstitial Cystitis

Treatment – Yoni Dhawan

Name of Medical Problem: Interstitial Cystitis

Ayurveda Term: Bastishoola

Background and Description:

A 29-year-old young woman working in customer service from Wembley came to see us with severe and constant pain in the lower abdomen, and urgent and frequent urination. She was seen by the NHS gynecologists, urologists as well as gastroenterologists and had been through various blood and imaging tests which came inconclusive, and a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis was given but was offered no treatment.

She came to us to seek alternative treatments for this nagging problem which affected her job and personal relationships.

Signs and Symptoms:

Pain: In the lower abdomen and pelvic area with tenderness +, frequent and urgent urination (about 10-12 during the day and 2-3 times during the night). Signs of early primary urinary continence. Dyspareunia

PUFA score 43+

Investigations: X-ray and MRI- normal, urodynamic studies- normal, normal bladder void. Blood tests for fungal and bacterial culture came negative.

Ayurveda Treatments:

The treatment approach for this patient included a combination of internal and external treatments. The treatment line was to carry out Panchakarma (detoxification) treatments followed by internal medications.

The recommended Panchakarma programme included 16-day Madhutailik Basti and 8 days of Uttar Basti (Yoni Dhawan) treatments.

Internal Treatment:

  1. Gokshuradi Guggul- 2 tablets twice a day along with 20ml Nirgundi Kashaya was given twice a day before meals.
  2. Varunadi Kashaya – 20ml + 40ml warm water, twice a day before meals.
  3. Bastyamayantak Ghrita- 50ml with warm water in the Avapeedak Snehan form

External Treatments:

  1. Madhutailik Basti x 16 days
  2. Yoni Dhawan with Nyagrodhadi Gana Kashaya x 8 days

Results:

The abdominal pain started reducing after a few sessions of Basti treatment and almost completely disappeared by the 16th session of the basti treatment.

The frequency and urgency of the urination, as well as dyspareunia, started reducing after the 4th Yoni Dhawan treatment and reduced by 70% by the end of the 8th session.

The patient was advised to continue with the internal medications and also with special Yoga postures and Kegel exercises over the next 3 months. The pain and associated frequency and urgency of urine gradually reduced and completely cured in the next 3-4 months.