Endometriosis is one of the most common gynaecological disorders seen in women of reproductive age. Endometriosis is a condition in which small pieces of endometrium get deposited in regions other than the normal uterine lining. This condition significantly affects a woman’s overall physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Endometrial cells are specialized cells that line the interior of the uterus. These cells are normally expelled from the uterus during each menstruation. Because of multiple reasons, these endometrial cells might occasionally wind up depositing in the pelvis, fallopian tubes, ovaries, rectum, and intestinal region. Therefore, in the months that follow, these menstrual tissues accumulate, bleed, and shed blood and cells. In a person with endometriosis, the blood cannot escape, and the old blood that has been stored in the pelvis causes congestion, pelvic, intestinal, and rectal pain as well as painful periods and fertility issues.

What causes Endometriosis?

The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown, but there are many possible reasons behind this such as:

1. Retrograde Menstruation theory: According to the retrograde menstruation theory, blood enters the pelvic cavity in the reverse direction through the fallopian tubes during menstruation.
2. Coelomic Metaplasia Theory: According to the Coelomic Metaplasia Theory, the visceral and abdominal peritoneum’s mesothelial lining cells undergo metaplasia, which results in endometriosis.
3. Hormone Theory: This postulates that ectopic endometrial tissue reacts to ovarian steroid hormones. The ectopic endometrial tissue reacts to oestrogens, which promote endometrial development. The likelihood of having endometriosis is thus increased.
4. Immune Dysfunction: Inflammatory alterations are brought on by the ectopic endometrium in the peritoneum. Local leukocyte and macrophage activation are made easier by this. Due to this, the immune system becomes compromised, which inhibits the removal of menstrual waste and encourages the implantation and development of endometrial cells in the ectopic sites.
5. Genetics: A genetic predisposition raises the possibility of damage to cells. Endometriosis advances as a result of genetic abnormalities that harm cells.

Common signs and symptoms of Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs in regions other than the normal uterine lining. This includes the ovaries, uterine ligaments, rectovaginal septum, pelvic peritoneum, laparotomy scars, vagina, umbilicus, hernia sacs, urinary tract, large and small intestine, appendix, umbilicus, and rarely even the pleura, diaphragm, arms, legs, kidneys, etc.

The affected woman may experience pelvic pain, low back pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, pain during intercourse, bloody urine or stools, infertility, acute abdominal symptoms and pain upon defecation, and urination.

Endometriosis in Ayurveda

Endometriosis cannot be classified as a distinct disease entity, according to the classical texts of Ayurveda. The diseases such as vatiki, and udarvantini show a resemblance with endometriosis as per the symptoms.

The symptoms of vatiki include pricking and other pains, stiffness, a feeling of creeping ants nearby, roughness, numbness, local symptoms, fatigue or lethargy, etc. The menstruation becomes irregular and painful. It occurs when the affected person consumes an improper diet and engages in other activities that can aggravate vata, provoked vata enters the reproductive system and produce the above symptoms.

In udavartini due to Vega dharana, Vata dosha becomes agitated, moves in the opposite direction, settles in Yoni, and causes discomfort. It initially pushes Raja in an upward direction, then discharges it with difficulty. The affected individual feels relief when the menstrual blood is released.

 Management of Endometriosis in Ayurveda

The vitiated vata dosha must be corrected for the management of endometriosis. Dietary modifications and internal and external ayurveda therapies are needed for the same.

The external therapeutic approaches include:

1. Vata pacifying therapies like Oleation therapy, fomentation therapy, medicated enema, etc.
2. Sekam, Abhyangam, Pichu with oil having Snigdha property.
3. Uttara basti.
4. Various swedana treatments such as Prastara, Shankara, Pinda, Nadi, or Kumbhi Sweda.

Along with medicinal supplements having the properties of vata pacifying, raktasravarodhaka (arresting the bleeding), srotosodhaka(clearing the channels), vatanuloma(downward movement of vata) and granthihara (removing the cysts) can be administered.

Lifestyle and dietary modifications

1. Regularly practice yogic postures such as Surya Namaskara, Shashankasana, Pranayamam. (Nadishuddhi), Trikonasana etc.
2. Avoid stress and anxiety.
3. Avoid the use of alcohol, caffeine, processed food, red meat, high fat and high sugar foods.
4. Include fruits, vegetables, fibres and whole grains in the diet.
5. Sleep atleast 7 hours a day.

Conclusion

At Ayurclinic Melbourne, we aim at removing the root cause of the condition and to reduce the symptoms affecting the patient. With a team of experienced Ayurvedic doctors, we follow a holistic treatment approach to eradicate all issues that affect the normal functioning of the body system.

To know more about the Ayurvedic management of endometriosis and treatment options, book an appointment now.