Amenorrhoea (Anarthava – Ayurvedic name) is defined as the absence of menstruation in a woman of reproductive age, for a period that is twice that of the normal menstrual cycle of a woman who has menstruated previously (called Secondary) or the non-appearance of menstruation in a girl who has reached the age of 16.

Amenorrhoea is a normal (physiological) occurrence in girls before puberty (menarche), during pregnancy and breastfeeding (lactation) and following menopause, it is considered a symptom of functional and structured abnormality of the female reproductive system.

In general, it is regarded as abnormal by the age of 14 years in girls without other signs of secondary sexual development, or by the age of 16 in girls with normal secondary sexual characteristics.

Amenorrhoea is not a disease and it does not mean that a person is infertile, but it can be a sign of a health problem that needs some attention.

(Note – for the treatment of Amenorrhoea, many options are available in Ayurveda while in modern medicine we have very few options like HRT which have certain limitations for its use and have a side-effect.)

Etiological Factor of Amenorrhoea:

• Pregnancy
• Breast Feeding (Lactation)
• Extreme weight loss by some serious illness
• Eating Disorder (Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia, caused by the nutritional deficiency and deterioration of the body tissues)
• Excessive Exercise or Stress
• Hormonal Imbalance or Problems involving Pituitary, Thyroid, Ovary, or Adrenal Gland
• Disorder or Problem in reproductive organs like Uterus, Ovaries, Fallopian Tubes and Vagina.
• Genetic conditions like Turner Syndrome, Androgen insensitivity syndrome leads to high levels of Testosterone and Mullerian Defects (Malformation of the Reproductive system)

Types of Amenorrhoea:

Amenorrhoea is usually described in two types –

Primary Amenorrhoea

In Primary amenorrhoea, menarche does not occur even if the girl is over 16 Years. Primary Amenorrhoea associated with

• Cryptomenorrhoea (Imperforate Hymen)
• Congenital agencies of uterovaginal canal or uterus, septate vagina indicate congenital obstructive lesions in the genital tract.
• Infertile Uterus indicates Sex Chromosomal abnormality (Turners Syndrome)

Secondary Amenorrhoea

Cessation of menses appears above 6 months following normal menstruation, associated with anorexia, weight loss, and extreme emaciation indicating anorexia nervosa, infertility, obesity, and polycystic ovarian disease.

Common symptoms of amenorrhoea:

• the main symptom is a lack of menstruation
• milky nipple discharge
• headache
• vision changed
• addition facial hair
• lack of breast development (especially in primary amenorrhoea)
• vaginal dryness

Ayurvedic Concept with Management

In Ayurveda scriptures, Amenorrhoea is known as ‘Anartava’, which means the absence of ‘Artava’ (monthly cyclical bleeding or menstruation). It’s a condition which is mentioned in ‘Stree Roga Chikitsa’  (female-related disease), another name also there as ‘Nashta Artava’ i.e. ‘Nashta’ means ‘lost’, destroyed or missing’ while ‘Artava’ means menstruation.

– According to the ‘Charaka Samhita’ (Classic of Ayurveda), Due to aggravation of ‘Vata Dosha’, Gynaecological disorder appears in women’s bodies, so the balance of ‘Vata-Dosha’ should be the first line of treatment in case of ‘Anaratava’

– Ayurveda believes causes of amenorrhoea are related to the condition of ‘dosha’, like eating excessively cold, light, and dry foods or taking cold or fizzy drinks that increase the ‘Vata’ energy in the body. The regular consumption and excessive intake of food that generates gas during digestion aggravate ‘Vata’.

– In the female body, the lower pelvis or the seat of ‘Apana Vata’(one type of Vata among 5 types) is responsible for the elimination of menstrual blood, stool, urine, and reproductive fluids. Due to anxiety and stress ‘Apana Vata’ increases at the onset of menstruation. There are situations in which aggravated ‘Vata’ causes accumulation of toxins in minute channels, which carry the menstrual blood, and blockage of these channels causes Amenorrhea.

In Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic, treatment options depend on the unique detoxification programme called ‘Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatment’, herbal treatment, medicated oil massage (Vata Pacifying Drugs) and steam (Abhyanga, Swedana), and Vasti (Medicated Enema), Shiro-Dhara (Pouring of medicated liquids on the head- such as  ‘Jatamamsi’ and ‘Bramhi’ etc Vata pacifying drugs) and diet and lifestyle advice as per disease condition and patient constitution.

Abhyanga (Medicated Oil Massage, Swedanam (Hot Fomentation), Vasti (Anuvasana Vasti or Uttar Vasti)

Herbal Preparation like Aloe Vera juice, Shatavari (the root of Asparagus racemosus), Vidari kand (Ipomoea digitate).

Classical Ayurvedic formulation (Only as per the instruction of your Ayurvedic doctor) like Ashokarishta, Ashwagandharishtam, Kumaryasavam, etc.

Diet and Lifestyle Advice by ‘Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic’

Spicy and hot diet, which is astringent, and acidic, with garlic, onion, nuts, ginger, etc. Herbal teas are recommended.

Spices like black pepper, cinnamon, coriander, cardamom, fennel, ginger, cumin, black pepper, fenugreek, clove, celery seed, salt, soya seed, and mustard seed can be used for garnishing the foods and should take in a regular diet

Milk and milk products are good but yogurt should be avoided, as it causes blockage of menstrual channels.

Excessive use of fried foods, heavy creams, and puddings increases ‘Kapha -Dosha’, so it should be avoided.

Do not undertake physical or mental work beyond your capacity, negative feelings like stress and tension should be avoided.

!!! BRING OUT THE HEALTHIEST YOU THROUGH PRANAVA KERALA AYURVEDA CLINIC!!!

To find out more about how Ayurveda can help with the above condition, visit Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic or call 0208 907 7902 to book an appointment with an expert Ayurvedic Practitioner.