Women’s health

Common symptoms 

Menopause

Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life which usually starts after 40-45 years old. However some women go into the early stages of menopause at a younger age than this. Menopause starts when women’s periods become irregular and eventually stop altogether. According to Ayurveda menopause signifies an accumulation of Vata in the endocrine system which causes the reduced secretion of the female reproductive hormones. The decrease in the level of the reproductive hormones in the body is responsible for the menstrual cycle becoming disrupted and finally ceasing.

The symptoms of the menopause are; early or late menstruation, excessive or decreased bleeding, hot flushes, night sweating, dry skin, vaginal irritation and dryness, frequent urination, abdominal bloating, fluid retention, weight gain and loss, lack of concentration and memory, insomnia and disturbed sleep, headache, indigestion, constipation, low libido, joint pain, symptoms of arthritis, hair loss and food cravings.

These symptoms are all common however not every women will experience all of them. The Race of the woman also determines which symptoms she may have. In Ayurveda, women who are going through the menopause are treated individually according to their presenting symptoms and constitution.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

PMS is also due to an imbalance of the female reproductive hormones and can affect women of any age.

The symptoms of PMS are; heavy or light menstrual bleeding, irregular menstruation, headache, abdominal bloating, fluid retention, lower back, abdominal and pelvic pain, constipation, loss of appetite, food cravings, clots in the menstrual blood.

These are the common symptoms of PMS and women may experience some or all of them. According the concepts of Ayurveda the above symptoms are due to a Vata and Pitta imbalance. Excessive Vata imbalance is shown as; pain, abdominal bloating, headache, mood swings, light and/or irregular menstrual bleeding, loss of appetite, constipation, food cravings. Excessive Pitta imbalance is shown as; excessive bleeding and feeling hot throughout the body. Fluid retention is an indication of an imbalance of Kapha. In Ayurveda each women is treated according to her constitution, race and manifestation of the symptoms.

Urinary Tract Infection

In Ayurveda, urinary tract infection is due to excess Pitta production in the urinary tract area. Infection can also be due to the overgrowth of bacteria that is caused by the bodily system being too acidic. In women, urinary tract infection can be caused by the thinning of the membranes in the vagina that makes them less resistant to bacterial growth. These bacteria can then be passed to the urinary tract due to its close proximity.

In Ayurveda, urinary tract infections are treated with an anti-Pitta diet - avoiding acidic and excessively salty foods e.g. grapefruit, pineapple, orange, tomato, chips, tomato sauce. Asparagus is very beneficial in this type of condition as it cleans the kidneys. There are many kinds of herbal preparations in Ayurveda that are anti-Pitta and are made from asparagus.

Vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness can affect women of any age but it is more common amongst women who are menopausal and post-menopausal. In Ayurveda this is explained as an accumulation of Vata in the vaginal area which causes the mucous membranes to produce inadequate amounts of mucous.

In my clinical experience I have had patients complain of vaginal dryness but their face diagnosis states that they have enough Kapha to provide the right levels of mucous in their system. I was unsure as to why this was happening to these patients as I could find no clinical reason according to the Ayurvedic principles. One of these patients later told me that as she wanted to conceive she had stopped taking the contraceptive pill and found that her vaginal dryness was no longer a problem. At the time she was not taking the contraceptive pill she was also not on any medication for the vaginal dryness, this indicates that it was the contraceptive pill which was responsible for the dryness.

Ayurveda treats women who are complaining of vaginal dryness with herbs to stimulate mucous secretion in the membranes of the body and herbal oils which is used internally to lubricate the mucous membranes.

Vaginal discharge

This is a very common problem in women and the discharge can be seen in many forms; thick, watery, white, yellow or green in colour. Some medical research has found a link between women who have an over production of estrogen and secrete an excess of thick, white vaginal discharge.

Yellow or green vaginal discharge which has an unpleasant smell, and painful urination, usually indicates that there is a bacterial or fungal infection present. In this case the women would feel itchiness in the vaginal area.

White discharge which has no odour shows that it might be normal but according to Ayurveda any form of discharge shows a weakness in the bone marrow and a calcium deficiency. Ayurveda says that this indicates a Pitta and Kapha imbalance. In the case of vaginal discharge I treat it as a Pitta and Kapha imbalance and look for signs of lower back pain, dark circles under the eyes and pain in the legs. In certain cases I have seen patients in my practice start to show signs of emaciation due to weakness in their bone marrow. When I have treated the bone marrow and calcium deficiency the other symptoms have been relieved. These symptoms can also indicate a number of other conditions including; chronic indigestion, mal-absorption, nutritional deficiency, slow metabolism, so according to the Ayurvedic principles the patient is treated individually looking at the condition of their entire body.

Fluid Retention

Fluid retention in women is most common before their period but they may also suffer with it post period. During menopause many women have fluid retention. In each case the cause of the fluid retention is different according to the individual, not all cases are due to a hormone imbalance.

Fluid retention can be due to; liver sickness, kidney congestion, heart problems, lymphatic blockage, weak veins, hormone imbalance and certain types of post surgery. The race of the woman also determines the size and shape of their legs. Some women believe that they are suffering from fluid retention in their legs but when I have tested them, according to the Ayurvedic principles, I have found that they are not but that it is their natural leg shape. However some leg configurations are more prone to fluid retention than others. Women who are overweight also have a tendency towards fluid retention mainly in the legs but in other parts of the body also. In Ayurveda I manage this according to the individual condition and constitution.

Weight Gain

Nowadays obesity has become a very common problem and in Ayurveda this is said to be an aggravation of Kapha. Excess Kapha blocks the channels of the body and causes the digestive system, liver and kidneys to become sluggish. I have found that there are two types of obese people; one kind is obese but they are active and feel happy within themselves, the other kind is obese but feel very lethargic and sluggish with hardly any motivation. Both types of obesity need to be managed but the second type is more serious to the long-term wellbeing of the person as the lethargy and sluggishness can lead to further problems.

I think that the main reason for obesity today is due to the high level of processed foods in many of our diets.

In obese people the fat can be distributed unevenly around the body settling in a variety of places depending on the person. The location of the cellulite is an indication of which bodily channel is blocked and what type of diet the person has been eating. I have seen in my practice women who have fat deposits around the base of their neck and at the top of the shoulders, usually eat a lot of refined white flour.

I have read in the newspaper that clothing companies that produce ready made dresses are finding it hard to design a pattern that fits everyone as not all women are putting on weight in the same areas of their body.

“Apple Shaped” people put weight on around their chest and abdominal area, whereas people who are “Pear Shaped” gain weight around their hips and thighs.

In Ayurveda obesity can be treated with herbal preparations, lifestyle and diet advice. A diet that follows the Ayurvedic principles can satisfy the person so that they do not experience any cravings or feel lacking in energy, but also helps them to lose weight. Sleeping in the daytime always aggravates Kapha and will cause weight gain. Waking up after 6am (ie “sleeping in”) regularly will also increase the chance of putting on weight.

Burning Sensation in the Feet and Hands

Usually women of any age, more commonly than men, can experience burning sensation in the feet and hands. This is due to an imbalance of pitta, which is related to the liver and which causes an uneven flow of energy in the body causing the feet and hands to feel hot but at the same time other areas of the body may feel cold. This is also due to an imbalance of the female hormones or disturbances in the menstrual cycle. Some women only experience these symptoms during menstruation. To treat cases of burning hands and feet I first decide what is causing the imbalance in the person, the liver or the hormones, and then treat accordingly. I have had many successful results in treating cases of burning hands and feet.

Cold Hands and Feet

Both men and women can experience this problem. There are various reasons for this condition: poor circulation, liver malfunction, hypothyroidism, pitta imbalance, mineral deficiency especially calcium and iron. I treat each person individually according to his or her constitution and imbalance. People with vata, pitta or kapha can all experience this condition but have different causative factors. Cold hands and feet are indications that there are other imbalances in the body, not only cold extremities.

Cramp

Both men and women can experience cramp at any time. If it is felt when exerting a muscle repeatedly and the cramp passes shortly afterwards, this is normal and no need for concern. However if a person experiences cramp in a muscle regularly and for no apparent reason then this indicates an imbalance or deficiency in the body. Cramp can be felt during any kind of exercise e.g. yoga practice, weight lifting, certain positions where the body is bent or stable in a posture over a period of time and during sex. I have found that mineral deficiency is often responsible for cramp e.g. calcium, iron, magnesium and other trace minerals. Poor digestion over a long period of time can also cause cramp. Cramp is not an illness but an indicator that there is nutritional deficiency in the body. If the cramp is always localised this means that the deficiency is only in that area of the body. So even if a person is taking mineral supplements it might not be effective for localised cramp as it could be due to malabsorption in that area. In Ayurveda this is explained as being a Vata imbalance and massage with Ayurvedic oil on the effected area is very beneficial. When I treat a person with cramp I assess what is causing it and then treat according to their constitution and imbalance.

Incontinence/bladder problems

Many women experience incontinence and bladder problems due to weakness of the bladder and pelvic floor muscles. In Ayurveda this is treated with herbal preparations and certain yoga postures however the herbal preparations alone are very effective. I have noticed that the muscle weakness is due to a localised deficiency of calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals. I have had great success in treating bladder problems with these herbal preparations.

Surgery during childbirth

If a caesarean or episiotomy is performed ayurvedic treatment can help with post delivery recovery.

Breast milk production, regulation and purification

Breast milk is essential for the proper nourishment and well-being of babies. It is easily digestible and contains all the essential nutrients and minerals that a baby needs.

However sometimes both the mother and baby can experience problems with breast feeding for example; some women may be unable to produce enough milk for their baby, the baby may be sensitive to its mother’s milk causing vomiting, indigestion and diarrhea and some mothers may produce an excess of breast milk. According to Ayurveda, the quality of the breast milk is also affected by the Dosha (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) imbalance of the mother. If she has an accumulation of toxins in her system due to a doshic imbalance her breast milk will either contain some of these toxins or be nutrient deficient.

Ayurveda is able to manage the quality, consistency and control of breast milk production and to purify it also. Many of the problems experienced by the baby which are caused by breast milk are treated by treating the mother. The breast milk will then contain the medicine and the baby will receive it through the milk. In this way the baby will be relieved from its previous symptoms.