Amenorrehea

A normal menstruation, or period, is the regular monthly bleeding women experience as part of the menstrual cycle. It happens when the body sheds the lining of the uterus (womb), which wasn’t needed because pregnancy didn’t occur.

Here’s what normal menstruation looks like:

Timing: It usually comes once a month, about every 21 to 35 days, depending on the woman. A typical period lasts 3 to 7 days.

Bleeding: The amount of blood lost varies, but it’s usually about 2 to 3 tablespoons over the whole period. Some women may bleed more or less, but it should still be manageable with pads or tampons.

Colour and Flow: Blood can range from bright red to dark brown. Flow can be heavier at the start and get lighter toward the end.

Symptoms: Many women feel mild cramps in the lower belly, backaches, or bloating. Some have mood swings, fatigue, or breast tenderness. These are normal, as long as they don’t interfere too much with daily life.

Consistency: Regular cycles with predictable flow, timing, and symptoms are considered normal. Anything extremely painful, very heavy, or irregular may need medical attention.

In short, normal menstruation is regular, manageable, and doesn’t cause severe pain or disruption.

Ayurvedic perspective of Amenorrhea

Ayurveda, amenorrhea, or the absence of menstruation, is seen as an imbalance of the body’s natural energies or "doshas" — primarily Vata and, in some cases, Kapha. In Ayurvedic terms, this condition is known as "Arajaska" or "Nashtartava" and is considered a sign that the reproductive and hormonal systems are not functioning in harmony.

Dosha Imbalance

Vata Dosha: Vata, associated with movement and flow in the body, governs the menstrual cycle. If Vata becomes blocked or imbalanced, it can disrupt the menstrual flow, leading to amenorrhea.

Kapha Dosha: Kapha governs body structure, including tissues. Excessive Kapha can lead to sluggishness, heaviness, and accumulation in reproductive organs, which may also block the menstrual flow.

Dhatu (Tissue) Weakness:

According to Ayurveda, the menstrual blood, or artava, is formed from the essential tissues known as rasa and rakta dhatu (blood tissue) and mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue). If there’s a deficiency or weakness in these tissues, menstruation may be affected.

Weak or insufficient ojas (vital energy) and nutrition can also disrupt the formation of menstrual blood.

Types of Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea, or missing periods, has two main types, each with different causes

1. Primary Amenorrhea

This is when a young woman hasn’t gotten her first period by age 15 or 16, even though she’s gone through other changes like breast development.

Causes: It usually happens because of genetic or physical issues, like:

Hormone imbalances that delay periods
Problems with the reproductive organs, like ovaries or uterus not developing normally
Genetic conditions like Turner syndrome
Long-term illnesses or poor nutrition that slow down puberty

2. Secondary Amenorrhea

This is when a woman who used to have regular periods suddenly stops having them for three months or more. If her periods were irregular before, it’s considered secondary amenorrhea if she hasn’t had a period for six months.

Causes: This type is more common and can be triggered by several factors:

Hormone Problems: Conditions like thyroid disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or early menopause
Stress: High stress can mess with hormones and cause missed periods.
Weight and Exercise: Losing a lot of weight quickly, having very low body fat, or doing too much intense exercise can make periods stop.
Medications and Birth Control: Some birth control methods or medicines can lead to missed periods.
Pregnancy or Menopause: Pregnancy naturally stops periods, and menopause is when periods end permanently.

Knowing the type of amenorrhea helps in figuring out the cause and how to treat it.

What are the symptoms of Amenorrhea?

The main symptoms of amenorrhea are:

No Periods: Missing one or more periods for several months.

2. Other Possible Signs:

Headaches or vision changes
Hair loss or extra facial hair
Acne or oily skin
Weight changes
Milky discharge from the breasts (if not pregnant)

These symptoms can vary, depending on what’s causing the missed periods.

Ayurvedic management of Amenorrhoea

In Ayurveda, the treatment of amenorrhea focuses on restoring the balance of doshas, primarily Vata and sometimes Kapha, which are believed to be responsible for healthy menstrual flow.

Panchakarma (Detoxification)

Panchakarma therapies like Vamana (therapeutic emesis) and Basti (medicated enema) may be recommended to cleanse toxins (ama) from the body, balance doshas, and restore healthy reproductive function.

Ayurvedic Formulations

Formulas like Ashokarishta (herbal tonic for reproductive health) and Dashmoolarishta are often used to support menstrual health and balance hormones.

Dietary Recommendations

Warm and Nourishing Foods: Include warm soups, whole grains, cooked vegetables, and warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric to balance Vata and Kapha.

Avoid Cold and Raw Foods: These can aggravate

Vata, so it’s recommended to avoid foods like cold salads, iced drinks, and raw vegetables.
Nutrient-Rich Foods: Ensure a diet rich in iron, calcium, and essential fats (e.g., nuts, seeds, and ghee) to nourish dhatus (body tissues).

Lifestyle and Daily Routine

Abhyanga (Oil Massage): Regular self-massage with warm sesame oil helps calm Vata and promote circulation, supporting reproductive health.

Yoga and Gentle Exercise: Poses like Bhujangasana (Cobra pose), Baddha Konasana (Butterfly pose), and Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend) help promote blood flow to the pelvic area.

Stress Reduction: Practices like meditation, pranayama (breathing exercises), and spending time in nature help reduce stress, which is often linked to hormonal imbalance.