Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD)

What is PCOD?

This condition has enlarged ovary and small follicular cysts which have 0.5-1.0 cm diameter. It leads to hormonal imbalance which leads to collection of mature eggs in the ovary as they cannot be discharged. These immature follicles are called as cysts. This is a vicious cycle, some cysts leads to more cysts and this cycle goes on.

Causes:

  • Diet, Sedentary lifestyle
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Stress, lack of exercise 
  • Insulin 

Signs & symptoms:

  • Irregular periods
  • Hair pattern like male pattern
  • Storage of fat at abdominal area
  • Sometimes Infertility

Ayurveda perspective for treatment

  1. Ayurveda medicines help in naturally balancing the hormones thus the menstrual cycles get regulated in natural way and not depending upon hormonal treatments
  2. Associated symptoms like weight gain , hair pattern and infertility issues can be addressed along depending upon the individual issues. 
  3. Rasayana Therapy is a unique therapy which aims towards restoration of health, strengthening of body tissues, preventing PCOD & it's complications and improving quality of life.

Panchakarma treatments for PCOD

  1. Basti (enema )treatments are very useful for hormonal balance and detoxification of the body. It is also helpful in strengthening the reproductive system and in regularizing the periods.
  2. Yoni picchu and Yoni dhavan - Local treatments like vaginal douche and cleaning the vaginal area with medicated decoctions and oils . It helps in treating erosions, vaginal inflammations and also is a part of infertility treatments and PCOD treatment.
  3. Shirodhara to help alleviate mental stress  & Abhyanga (massage ) for physical stress.

Prevention of PCOD

1. Yoga poses helpful in PCOD:

  • Baddhakonasana (Butterfly pose)
  • Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining butterfly pose)
  • Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
  • Naukasana (Boat pose)
  • Dhanurasana (Bow pose), Padmasana (Lotus pose)
  • Shavasana (corpse pose)

Herbal treatments useful in PCOD:

  1. Combination of quarter teaspoon of Shatavari powder  (Asparagus racemosus ), quarter teaspoon of Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia ), quarter teaspoon of Methi ( Fenugreek ) powder, quarter teaspoon Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), quarter teaspoon triphala powder daily 3 times a day help in regulating menses naturally.
  2. Dasamoolarishtam is a drug of choice and helpful in all symptoms of PCOD.

But for a chronic PCOD, a full fledged treatment under the able guidance of an Ayurveda expert is definitely recommended to plan a proper course for long term relief.