Infertility Treatment

PCOS is a frequent endocrinopathy that manifests as oligoovulation or anovulation, symptoms of hyperandrogenism, and several tiny ovarian cysts. It is a complex and polygenic illness.

Around 5-12% of women in the population have PCOS, a female endocrine condition that affects them while they are still able to reproduce. It can cause infertility and is frequently associated by obesity and irregular menstrual cycles. Because it manifests in various organs in a complex way, it is referred to as a syndrome.

Individuals experience different signs and symptoms throughout time. Menstrual irregularities, infertility, obesity, depression, sleep apnea, and insulin resistance are all negative effects on the reproductive system that, over time, may lead to diabetes mellitus, endometrial cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions.

Early treatment is important for PCOS. In order to prevent complications and chronicity, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential. A delayed diagnosis could result in long-term problems.

PCOS is one of 20 diseases in the Yoni Vyapat chapter of Ayurveda, which deals with utero vaginal issues.

Ayurveda defines PCOS as a condition involving the three Doshas, also known as Dhathus like Rasa, Raktha, and Medas. Rasa, Rakta, and Arthava Vaha are the Srothas engaged in this disease, which finally appears as traits like Anarthava (amenorrhea), Vandhyathwa, Pushpagni, and Abeeja rtuchakra (anovular bleeding).

Cause of PCOS

PCOS develops when an ovarian cycle’s follicular growth is hampered by a hormonal imbalance. The afflicted ovarian follicle doesn’t burst and release an egg; instead, it stays inside the ovary. The follicle subsequently develops into cysts, and numerous fresh cysts may appear throughout each reproductive cycle. Polycystic ovarian syndrome gets its name from the Latin word for many, poly.

Any sickness is viewed as an imbalance in the venerable science of Ayurveda. PCOS is categorised as a kapha condition in Ayurveda. The organ in the female body that controls reproduction is known as arthava dhatu, and the passageway where the ovarian fluid travels is known as artavavaha srota. When too much kapha interferes with these fluids’ and channels’ normal, balanced flow, PCOS is the result. In addition to PCOS symptoms, movement is restricted and metabolism is impaired.

The main causes of PCOS are poor nutrition and lifestyle choices, such as mental stress and a lack of exercise, as well as extended and excessive use of hormonal birth control tablets.

PCOD common symptoms

1. Menstruation may be more or less frequent due to less frequent ovulation in irregular menstrual cycles (release of an egg)

2. Some PCOS patients experience amenorrhoea, or no periods, sometimes for years.

3. Excessive development of face or body hair (or both)

4. Acne

5. Loss of hair on the scalp

6. Reduced fertility (difficulty conceiving), caused by infrequent or nonexistent ovulation

7. Mood swings, including despair and anxiety

8. Obesity

9. Insulin sensitivity

PCOD Ayurvedic Management

Ayurveda has a comprehensive strategy to manage PCOS. The goal of individualised care is to cure the disease’s underlying cause and restore the body’s natural balance.

The guidelines for ayurvedic PCOS therapy are as follows:

– Body detoxification with ayurveda

– The female reproductive system should be strengthened and revived.

– The correction of hormonal imbalance

– Handling insulin resistance and obesity.

Following a thorough assessment, an Ayurveda specialist creates a customized regimen.

By eliminating toxins from the reproductive system, including the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and vagina, panchakarma addresses the underlying reason. Virechana (therapeutic purgation), uttar vasti (uterovaginal enema), and vasti are a few of the common techniques (colonic enema).

After the panchakarma, the female reproductive system is balanced and revitalized using certain herbs and techniques. Phytoestrogen, which is abundant in Ayurvedic medicines, has been shown to significantly reduce insulin resistance and inflammation.

One of life’s greatest elixirs and tonics is sleep. It is a natural rejuvenator for all earth’s living things. The numerous sleep disorders are influenced by any changes in the sleep’s patterns, quality, or amount. In addition to being common in many psychiatric diseases, sleep disruptions are also components of the diagnostic criteria for specific disorders.

Insomnia is the most common clinical representation, where it is 40% more common in women than in men. It can be diagnosed as severe insomnia where females are sleeping for less than 3.5 hours and males are sleeping for less than 4.5 hours which may lead to reduced life span.

In truth, insomnia is a condition as well as a symptom. More people suffer from chronic insomnia than from heart disease, cancer, AIDS, diabetes, and a number of other serious illnesses. According to documented studies, untreated insomnia raises the risk of disorders like depression, diabetes, hypertension, and even death in older people. Consequently, it is crucial to recognize and handle the insomnia situation as soon as possible.

Ayurvedic approach to insomnia

According to Ayurveda, one of the triads for sustaining life is sleep, or nidra. The classics use the term “Nidranasa” to explain how the same might change, how etiopathogenesis works, and how to regulate it. Such a situation is caused by the aggravation of the doshas—Vata and Pitta—as well as the depletion of the dosha—Kappa—among the three doshas that regulate human physiology. Moreover, the functioning of the dosha in relation to the operation of manas, or Rajas, controls sleep. As a result, it may show up in both physical and psychological diseases. The vata dosha encourages the beginning of sleep, and the pitta dosha encourages the continuation of sleep.

According to the etiology, the aggravation of Vata in nidranasa will further vitiate the other doshas, Pitta and Kapha. Vatha and manas function in a way that is extremely similar. When Hathayoga Pradeepika stated that the mind becomes active on the light of Vatha, she brought attention to the interrelationship between Vata and Manas. Vatha kopa also causes dhatukshaya, which can actually cause the ojus to be depleted and cause both somatic and physical diseases. Thus, in the management of Nidranasa, Vta regulation is of utmost significance.

Management:

Regardless of the medical system we are using, treating insomnia requires a very thorough approach. Both resolving the sleep issues and raising awareness of good sleep hygiene should be the first steps in management. Since many sleep disorders are related to the affected person’s lifestyle, a thorough history of all aspects of life style, including sleep, must be found. 

The importance of maintaining regular bedtime and arousal times, abstaining from excessive caffeine, avoiding heavy meals just before bed, getting enough exercise, and engaging in mental relaxation techniques like listening to music before bed are all part of good sleep hygiene. The causes of the issue may be hidden by daily behavioral variations and fluctuating levels of insomnia. A thoroughly explained sleep hygiene program with follow-up is a relatively cheap but highly effective intervention.

Even while there are medications that can help people fall asleep, no one encourages the continued use of these substances because it can lead to dependency and addiction in many people. Another significant problem with long-term sedative usage is the adverse consequences, which include depression, suicidal or self-injurious thoughts, anxiety, aggression, restlessness, hallucinations, and more. So, in order to improve the quality of life for those who are affected, the management alternatives in alternative medications should be encouraged.

Insomnia can be managed at Outpatient level in mild to moderate cases , to perform the shodhana ie., the purification therapy. The shodhana therapy is followed by purification therapy of the heads per demand from the condition. The next step is to perform procedures such as sirodhara, sirobasti, sirolepa, etc which are performed on the head with required medicines.

The commonly used drugs are the ones that help relax the mind. Some of them are Tagara (Valerian Wallichi), Jatamansi (Nordostachys Jatamansi), Somalata (Sarcostemma Acidum) and Aswagandha (Withania Somnifera). Giving a gentle head massage on the head with the use of selected mixture of curia (powder) and tailam (oil) is usually done. Similarly, Pada abhyangam is also conducted.

If any clinical condition is a contributing factor to insomnia and needs to be treated effectively, the use of the media Ramayana group of medications, which includes mandookaparni (Centella asiatica), sankapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), etc., has also been demonstrated to be effective in managing insomnia. Insomnia can be effectively treated with medial medicines that affect Vatha and Pitta dosa. The goal is to reduce tension and help the person achieve a deep state of relaxation. Deep relaxation eventually helps the mind return to normal and stabilize.

It is advantageous to use behavioral therapies such stimuli control, relaxation, sleep restriction therapy, and cognitive and behavioral therapies. While treating primary insomnia, cognitive behavioral therapy also yields substantially superior results.