MENORRHAGIA

Menorrhagia is the most common type of abnormal uterine bleeding characterized by excessive and prolonged menstrual bleeding or frequent appearance of menstruation in spite of coming at regular interval. In Ayurveda, it is known as “Rakta Pradar” or “Atayartava”.

A normal menstrual cycle is around 28 days in duration with 5-7 days bleeding time and total amount of blood flow is approximately 40 to 80 mL. If loss of menstrual blood is more than 80 ml or lasting longer than 7 days, condition is known as Menorrhagia.

TYPES OF MENORRAGIA

1. Polymenorrhoea – It is defined as uterine blood flow of menstrual cycle, which is reduced from the normal twenty-eight days to a cycle of 2-3 weeks and remains constant at that frequency. It is also associated with excessive and prolonged bleeding.
2. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) – It is a heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding without any obvious structural or systemic pathology such as a fibroid, tumour or any type of lesion. DUB is the most common type of abnormal uterine bleeding. The cause of this may be emotional imbalance.
3. Metrorrhagia - It is defined as irregular, acyclic bleeding from the uterus particularly between the expected menstrual periods. Metrorrhagia may also be a sign of an underlying disorder, such as hormonal imbalance, uterine fibroids or cancer of the reproductive organs. In metorrhagia, blood flow may be intermittent or continuous.
4. Dysmenorrhoea – Menstrual blood flow with colic pain in lower abdomen.

SYMPTOMS OF MENORRHAGIA

• Heavy blood loss (more than 80ml or longer than 7 days) during the menstrual period
• Bleeding or spotting between periods
• Pain in the lower abdomen.
• Low back pain
• Feeling of heaviness in the body
• Tenderness in breast
• Fatigue
• Feeling of pelvic congestion
• Constipation or indigestion
• Headaches
• Anaemia

CAUSES OF MENORRHAGIA

In some cases, the cause of heavy menstrual bleeding is unknown, but a number of conditions may cause menorrhagia. The most common causes are :

• Hormonal imbalance : Estrogens and Progesterone are two hormones, responsible for regulation of the buildup of the lining of the uterus (endometrium), which is shed during menstruation. If a hormonal imbalance of Progesterone & Estrugen occurs, the endometrium develops in excess and eventually sheds by way of heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Uterine fibroids : Fibroids are noncancerous tumors of the uterus, which may also responsible for heavier or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
• Polyps : They are Small, benign growths on the lining of the uterine wall, which may also cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
• Medications : Improper use of hormonal medicines (contraceptive pills) are big cause of menorrhagia and some other types of medicine like anti-inflammatory medicines and anticoagulant medicines are also responsible for heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.

AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW OF MENORRHAGIA

According to Ayurveda, “Rakta Pradar” or “Atayartava” occurs due to aggravation of Pitta Dosha. Pitta is a biological element of the body that symbolizes agni or heat, which is responsible for management of the hormonal system of the body and also analogous (equivalent / similar) to blood or Rakta Dhatu. Aggravated pitta causes contamination of blood. When Contaminated blood moves towards the pelvic region, it causes imbalance of vata dosha, particularly Apana Vata dosha (Prana, Udana, Samana,Vyana and Apana are the 5 types of Vata Dosha). Apana vata dosha controls the flow of the menstrual blood through Artava-Vahi-Srotasa. Aggravated Apana Vata Dosha and Pitta contaminated blood increases menstrual blood, which leads to Menorrhagia.

Aggravation of Apana vata causes pain in the back and lower abdomen before commencement of the menstruation cycle. Aggravated apana vata also moves upwards and causes imbalance of other doshas such as samana vata and pachak pitta. These doshas are responsible for all types of digestive processes or regulation of digestive system. Constipation, indigestion, flatulence are the various symptoms of imbalanced Samana Vata Dosha and Pachak Pitta Dosha. When Apana vata moves above the digestive system, it causes imbalance of the Prana Vata Dosha, which is situated in the head and the brain. Prana Vata controls all functions of central nervous system. Aggravated Prana Vata weakens the Central Nervous System and triggers the psychological imbalance. It also affects the Neuro-Hormonal functions leads to symptoms such as mental imbalance, depression, anxiety, mood swings and insomnia etc.

Aggravated Apana Vata dosha also effects Sadhak pitta, which is situated in the heart and controls our emotions. Imbalanced sadhak pitta causes low mental stamina.

Aggravated Apana vata dosha may also cause aggravation of kapha dosha, which increases extra-cellular fluid throughout the body, causing swelling through water retention in some women.

All imbalanced doshas cause weakness of all body tissues and women feel tired, lethargic and sleepy during this period.

MENORRHAGIA DIET & LIFESTYLE

The Ayurvedic treatment of Menorrhagia focuses on vata and pitta pacifying medicines and diet, which includes ghrita (clarified butter), amla, milk, Sugarcane juice, banana, cucumber, pumpkin etc.

• Spices having medicinal properties such as black pepper, cinnamon, coriander, cardamom, ginger, cumin, black pepper, fenugreek, clove, mint and mustard seed should be included in your diet. 
• Foods that cause constipation or aggravation of vata should not be consumed and vegetables like potato, mushroom, cauliflower and peas should be avoided.
• You should also avoid Tea, Coffee, Caffeine, Alcohol, Chocolate, Fast Food, Pickles etc, which are aggravating factors for Manorrhagia.
• Do not control natural urges like urination and stool.
• Regular physical exercise for the whole month is a must for coping with these symptoms. But, exercise and heavy physical works should be avoided during this period.
• Stress, tension and negative mental feelings increasse Vata Dosha. Therefore, you should include YOGA in your daily life for relaxing your mind and body.

HOME REMEDIES FOR MENORRHAGIA

• Boil one teaspoon of Coriander seeds in 250ml of water till the water remains half in quantity. After cooling, drink it with half teaspoon of Cinnamon powder thrice in a day.
• Take 1 teaspoon of Sesame seeds powder twice in a day to get relief from menstrual problems.
• Take a glass of water and add juice of one lemon. Drink this in the morning to get relief from digestive problems that may arise during menstrual problems.
• Drink medicated milk twice a day
• First, prepare a mixture by adding ginger powder, fennels seeds powder, cardamom powder and black pepper powder in equal proportion.
• Second, mix ½ tsp of this mixture in glassful of warm milk and drink.
• This medicated milk is helpful to pacify vata dosha and also helpful to get relief in low abdominal pain and back pain during Menorrhagia or heavy menstrual bleeding.