Ayurvedic Management of Premenstrual Syndrome

What is Premenstrual syndrome?

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the cyclic appearance of physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms that occur in the last 7–10 days of the menstrual cycle. Younger and middle-aged women are more likely to experience PMS, and those who experience it report difficulty carrying out everyday tasks during this time.

Causes of Premenstrual syndrome.

Although the exact cause of the premenstrual syndrome is unknown, it is assumed that changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle are responsible. The following can be listed as the factors that contribute to this condition.

• Changes in estrogen and progesterone levels during each half of the menstrual cycle.
• Fluctuations in the levels of various neurotransmitters.
• Psychological and psychosocial factors.
• Deficiency of magnesium and calcium ions.

Symptoms of Premenstrual syndrome.

• PMS is extremely common and affects most women to some extent, but the severity of the symptoms varies from person to person. The symptoms may include:
• Psychical symptoms include abdominal bloating, breast tenderness and swelling, weight gain, and swelling of the legs.
• Headache, muscle, and joint pain.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Mood changes include irritability, anxiety, depression, tension, confusion, and decreased self-esteem.
• Difficulty in concentrating and remembering things.
• Altered sleep patterns.
• Change in appetite, cravings for sweets, chocolate, etc.
• Changes in sexual interest.

Ayurvedic Concept of Premenstrual Syndrome.

In Ayurveda, there is no clear-cut term for PMS. It can be correlated with different entities, each explaining symptoms or disease. 

As per Ayurveda, it is impossible to give names to all diseases (Charaka Samhitha sutra sthana). So the physician must consider the balanced and imbalanced doshas in the body and diagnose and treat the disease accordingly.

The menstrual cycle is divided into Ritukala, Rituvyateetakala, and Rajakala in the Ayurvedic perspective. Each phase has a distinct pattern of doshic predominance. During Rituvyateetakala (7–10 days before menstruation), Pitta dosha is dominant (kopa of Pitta dosha) along with Vata sanchayavastha (accumulation of Vata dosha).

When a person consumes food or does activities that aggravate the Pitta dosha during the Rituvyateetakala, there will be an exponential increase in Pitta dosha. The excessive and vitiated Pitta dosha blocks the normal pathway of Vata dosha, specifically Vyana vata. Vyana vata is responsible for the movements in the human body. The symptoms of PMS arise as the vyana vata gets blocked by the Pitta dosha, known as Pittavrita Vyana Vayu.

The vata dosha becomes prominent during the menstrual phase (Ritukala), causing menstruation, and the exacerbated pitta dosha returns to normal. As a result, PMS symptoms are relieved.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Premenstrual syndrome 

PMS can be managed to a certain extent by lifestyle modifications and diet. Give proper assurance to the affected individuals about the disease and the care. The individual can adopt supportive and cognitive behavioral therapy to manage the symptoms.

The Ayurvedic therapeutic procedures include:

• The mild form of massages (abhyanga) using oils with vata and pitta pacifying nature will help reduce pain.
• Various fomentation therapies (swedana karma), such as Nadi swedam, Sankara swedam, etc., can be administered.
• Tampon (Yoni Pichu) soaked in medicated ghee that alleviates pitta dosha can be inserted into the vagina.

Along with external therapies, there are internal medicines to manage the disease properly. Oral medications include:

• Dhanwantaram gulika.
• Manasamitram gulika.
• Saptasaram kashayam.
• Sukumaram ghritam.
• Chandraprabha Vati.
• Chyavanaprasham.

Lifestyle modifications for Premenstrual syndrome 

• A few lifestyle changes can control hormone imbalances and maintain mental health. The changes to be included are:
• Have a consistent sleep and wake cycle (7-8 hours per day).
• Practice moderate exercises daily.
• Proper maintenance of personal hygiene.
• Practice yoga asanas daily.
• Breathing exercises, pranayama, and meditation help to relieve mood swings.
• Avoid smoking.
• Reduce body weight.
• Always keep your mind and body calm.
• Avoid sleeping during the daytime and awakening at night.

Dietary modifications

According to Ayurvedic literature, food is the primary factor that can link to disease formation and cure. So, it helps to control managing dietary habits to a greater extent.

 Do’s:

• Consume Rakta Sali rice, barley, and Chappathi with cow ghee.
• Include calcium, magnesium, vitamins (A, E, D, B complex), and minerals into your diet.
• Include Fibre-rich foods, evening primrose oil, papaya, pomegranate, legumes, vegetables, healthy milk products, nuts, and vitamin-rich food like fish (salmon and sardines).
• Include medicinal drugs like garlic, Asparagus racemosus, aloe vera, fenugreek, Saraca indica, symploces bark, Indian pennywort, etc., along with the diet.
• Eat wholesome and fresh food.
• Switch to a well-balanced diet.
• Consume food only after the previous meal is digested.
• Consume an adequate amount of water daily.

Don’ts

• Avoid fast, deep-fried, packaged food items such as chips, Kurkure, bingos, etc.
• Avoid excessive salt, caffeine, chocolate, and alcohol, especially in the second stage of the menstrual cycle.
• Avoid food items that are too cold or hot.
• Avoid polyunsaturated vegetable oils and refined sugar in the diet.
• Limit the intake of dairy products and animal fats.

Prevention of Premenstrual syndrome 

Nearly 85% of menstruating women suffer from one or more symptoms related to PMS. Therefore it is necessary to prevent the symptoms of PMS. The methods that can be adopted to prevent the symptoms are:

• Keep a symptom diary for tracking the PMS symptoms and plan the month accordingly.
• Include yoga, meditation, and breathing exercise as a part of your daily routine.
• Avoid the use of excessive salt, coffee, and alcohol.
• Try to keep the body and mind calm.
• Include vitamins, minerals, calcium, magnesium, etc., in your diet.
• Seek support from family members or friends to cope with the situation.

Tips for a smoother menstrual cycle

• Consume freshly prepared and hot food items.
• Add spices such as ginger, cardamom, coriander, etc., to the diet.
• Practice exercise, yoga, and meditation daily.
• Hydrate the body with ginger tea, lemon tea, normal water, etc.
• Maintain the normalcy of the tridoshas.

It is crucial to remember that what functions for one individual may not work for another. So, you must consult a healthcare professional for treatment suggestions if you have severe PMS symptoms.

If you are looking for Ayurvedic Treatment for Premenstrual Syndrome in Kerala, then book an appointment at the best Ayurvedic Hospital in Trivandrum