Uterine fibroids appear during reproductive age in females. It is a noncancerous growth of the uterus, also known as myomas, fibromyomas and leiomyomas. The fibroids vary in size, shape and number.
What Causes Uterine Fibroids
There is no exact cause of uterine fibroids however the formation of fibroids may be due to hormonal imbalance in females.
- Anovulation is the basic reason for formation of the fibroids in the uterus.
- Hereditary may be one of the reasons for uterine fibroid.
- Women who consume a lot of non-vegetarian diet are more prone towards fibroids.
- In Ayurveda granthi develops due to imbalance of doshas, vitiated rakta, mamsa and meda along with kapha dosha.
Features Of Uterine Fibroid
In Ayurveda the condition of uterine fibroid is similar to garbhashayagatagranthi. The clinical feature of the fibroid is due to its local mass effect, resulting in pressure upon adjacent organs, repetitive loss of pregnancy and excessive bleeding. A huge number of women population die because of the uterine fibroids.
Uterine fibroid is referred to as granthi in Ayurveda. Granthi is a nodular swelling or a growth that protrudes like a kernel of the fruit of amalaki. The characteristic of granthi is defined as hard, glandular, knotty and rough in appearance.
Symptoms Of Uterine Fibroid
If you are having uterine fibroids your doctor might find out through per vaginal examination as the uterus becomes bulky.
If you are having symptoms such as –
- Menstrual cramping
- Pain during intercourse
- Swelling of the abdomen
- Difficulty in urination or defecation
- Clots during menstrual flow
- Weakness
- Fullness in the lower abdomen
- Irregular menstrual flow
- Infertility
Symptom depends upon the area and size of the fibroids. If you come across any of the above symptoms visit your doctor soon.
Ayurvedic Treatment With Herbal Remedies
There is no particular treatment for uterine fibroids other than surgery in modern science thus women are seeking ayurvedic treatment with herbal remedies. Everyone wants to avoid surgery and seek Ayurveda or alternative treatment. Uterine fibroid treatment needs symptomatic management except in severe cases where surgery remains the only option. Ayurvedic treatment is the best for symptomatic management of uterine fibroids.
Ayurvedic treatment for fibroids is same as a fibroid in any part of the body. Fibroids in the uterus causes menstrual disturbance such as menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea etc and infertility. There are 9 types of granthi mentioned in ancient ayurvedic text.
Ayurveda has a significant result in treating fibroids in the uterus. Herbal remedies show quick results in managing the symptoms related to periods.
Kapha dosha along with disturbance in pitta and vata dosha is responsible for formation of fibroids. It is important to keep a check on kapha dosha as the mass deposits can migrate to other parts of this system. Kaphaja granthi are not much painful, pain is accompanied with vata dosha and vitiated pitta dosha leads to heavy blood loss.
Ayurvedic treatment is very helpful in suppressing the symptoms of uterine fibroids. Herbs such as shatavari, ashoka, guggulu, kanchnar etc can help to reduce the fibroids. Herbal formulations such as kanchnar guggulu, chandraprabha vati etc is beneficial for uterine fibroids and also maintains the overall health of female reproductive system.
Ashokarishta is a herbal medicine used for menstrual disorder related to uterine fibroids. Its anti-inflammatory nature is beneficial in uterine bleeding. Its antioxidant and hematoprotective potential helps in managing menorrhagia. It decreases blood flow and checks excessive bleeding.
Panchakarma For Uterine Fibroids
Panchakarma is a detoxification process and is extremely beneficial in balancing the hormones. Virechana and uttara basti helps in eliminating the root cause of uterine fibroids by balancing the hormones.
Along with medicines Ayurveda advises certain life style changes such as –
- Early to bed and early to rise
- Balanced diet
- Exercise in routine
- Yoga poses
- Herbal oil massage
- Aloe vera juice improves metabolism
- Swedana on lower abdomen
Uterine fibroids are very common and the number is increasing with passing days. Ayurvedic herbal treatment, panchakarma therapy along with lifestyle changes and regular yoga relieves the symptoms associated with fibroids.