What Is PCOD, What Is Its Symptoms And How The Ayurveda Treatment Can Be Helpful For It
What Is PCOD, What Is Its Symptoms And How The Ayurveda Treatment Can Be Helpful For It
What Is PCOD, What Is Its Symptoms And How The Ayurveda Treatment Can Be Helpful For It
What Is PCOD, What Is Its Symptoms And How The Ayurveda Treatment Can Be Helpful For It
Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOD), otherwise called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), is a hormonal disorder in women of childbearing group. This condition is commonly described as hormonal dysfunction where the levels of estrogen and progesterone are not well balanced and present the following: Now, in specialties of western medicine, the condition of diabetes is managed only through the use of drugs and changes in the mode of life, while Ayurveda – the traditional system of medicine in India, establishes adequate measures to cure the disease and eliminate its causes.
Common Symptoms of PCOD
PCOD produces different signs and symptoms, Though they may not be markedly distinct from the normal, in affected women. The most common symptoms include:
Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Most women with PCOD have lighter and less regular or prolonged periods than women who do not have this condition. Some can miss their periods for a half or even for a whole year and more.
Excessive Hair Growth (Hirsutism): Women with PCOD also have high androgen level and may have unwanted body hair or facial hair.
Acne and Oily Skin: Hormonal unawareness can cause problems such as oily skin as well as the development of pimples especially in areas which include face, chest and the back.
Weight Gain and Difficulty Losing Weight: PCOD affecting women often leads to weight gain, especially dad wise as well as uneven skin shape and color. This weight gain can be that of the type which does not disappear as one changes their diet or increases physical activity.
Thinning Hair or Male-pattern Baldness: The PCOD resulted in hormonal imbalance and women may develop thin hair or even bald heading towards crown/forehead.
Infertility: The functioning of PCOD leads to problems in ovulation; getting pregnant is a challenge. Hence, due to hormonal imbalance, the women suffering from PCOD don’t ovulate regularly or may not ovulate at all, which is one of the main reasons of infertility.
Ovarian Cysts: Many women with PCOD experience multiple cyst in the ovaries that may be seen through ultra sound.
Mood Swings and Depression: It is common to find women suffering from mood swings, increased irritability, anxiety or depression during hormonal changes.
Ayurvedic Perspective on PCOD
According to Ayurveda, PCOD is a functional menstrual disorder which happens due to vitiation of the doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The doshas are real but unseen energies, or the body’s managers as it were, and when these misbehave or become unbalanced then disease results. This disorder is supposedly induced primarily due to the excess of Kapha dosha and can be seconded by Pitta and Vata doshas.
Kapha Imbalance: Kapha is said to increase at the time and this manifest in the body as visa versa, fluid retention, formation of cyst, fat deposition and slowed metabolism. In PCOD, this imbalance results in irregular periods, weight gain, and, development of cysts on the ovaries.
Pitta Imbalance: The aggravated Pitta leads to heat which manifests in the form of inflammation, spots on the skin, and hair loss which are some of the symptoms PCOD affects women with. Pitta is linked to heat, and in the context of PCOD is thought to fuel androgen overproduction in the body responsible for excessive hair growth and skin problems.
Vata Imbalance: Vata dosha leads to the absence or sparsity of the periods and is equally responsible for the common female problems like anxiety and depression seen in PCOD. Vata controls physical and nervous activity, so any dysfunction in it can result in hormonal disturbances.
Ayurvedic Treatment for PCOD
PCOD can be treated under ayurveda by modifying the diet plan, by taking ayurvedic medications and taking panchakarma therapies, practicing yoga and changing the life style. This is to not only cover symptom control, but also eradication of the original cause of hormonal disturbance.
1. Dietary Modifications
Food is the most essential part of an Ayurvedic treatment as Rehydration Therapy is the basic step to set right in Ayurveda. An Ayurvedic diet that women with PCOD are supposed to take helps to address Kapha, Pitta and Vataimbalances. Some key dietary recommendations include:
Avoid processed foods: Kapha dosha in chubby women can increase due to processed foods, fried foods, and increased sugar consumption lead to cyst formation.
Increase fresh fruits and vegetables: Seasonal fruits and vegetables assist to reduce all three doshas, minimizing inflammation, and enhance digestion.
Incorporate whole grains: Any food that is a rich source of carbohydrates like quinoa, oats, barley, brown rice, and more are suggested for better control of blood sugar levels in PCOD and are helpful to minimize insulin resistance in body.
Spices for balance: For instance turmeric, cumin, ginger and cinnamon aid in balancing of doshas and enhancing digestion. This spice particularly can fight inflammation and cyst development as well as regulate hormones.
Avoid dairy and heavy foods: High fat foods including dairy products can cause Kapha dominant disorders and particularly high fat dairy products like milk and cheese. While they are a good source of protein, Ayurveda suggests avoiding heavy foods such as milk and its products which should be taken in sparingly especially in hot processed form like buttermilk or yogurt.
2. Herbal Remedies
A lot of Ayurvedic herbs are also effective in monitoring medial cycles, hyping hormonal chemical production, and purifying blood. Some commonly used herbs for treating PCOD include:
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus): This herb is beneficial on the female reproductive organs. It is used in the management of the menstrual cycle, supports the ovaries and enhances fertility.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): discussable from the standpoint of its adaptogenic characteristics Ashwagandha fights stress, corrects hormones, and brings vital energy.
Triphala: An Ayurvedic herbal preparation made from the fruits of three plants, Amalaki, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki, Triphala is considered to possess antiflatulent properties that help enhance digestion and cleanse the body of accumulated toxins that disrupt hormonal balance.
Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia): This herb reduces inflammation and strengthen the immune system, and it is often used to help with detox an hormonal regulation.
3. Detoxification (Panchakarma)
Panchakarma is a number of Ayurvedic procedures designed for purification of toxins (ama) within the body and the restoration of dosha balance. This is hoped that for women who have PCOD Panchakarma treatments may destroy the sites of obstructions in the reproductive tract, enhances blood flow in woman’s reproductive organs, and decreases stress. Key therapies may include:
Virechana: Medical enemas for the purpose of cleansing the body of poison.
Basti: Enema to clean the lower colon to help regulate hormones and to balance the Vata dosha.
Abhyanga: A warm oil massage that aids in the regulation of the doshas, decrease stress, and increase blood flow to the ovaries.
4. Yoga and Lifestyle Yoga practice can calm the nerves, encouragebloodflowandresethormonalbalance for those who make it a routine. Some of this pose includes the Supta Baddha Konasana, Setu Bandhasana, and Viparita Karani as they have great impacts on reproductive health. Meditation and breathing exercises also help pcod patients in managing anxiety and emotional stress – both of which are common symptoms along with it.