Written by Dr. Roopa D.M (BAMS)
Women and their bodies are complex, both physically and biologically. Throughout their lives, they undergo significant changes, and sometimes these changes can cause disturbances in their health. One such condition is fibroids. Let’s explore this topic and understand how Ayurveda treatment for fibroids can help tackle this condition.
What are Fibroids?
Fibroids are unnatural growths that form in or on the uterus of women. These tumors can occasionally grow extremely large, resulting in excruciating stomach pain and irregular periods. Other times, they have no noticeable effects at all. Usually benign or noncancerous, fibroids do not have a known cause.
Why do Fibroids Develop?
Although the exact cause of fibroids is unknown, several factors may contribute to their development:
- Family background: Fibroids might run in families. You could have this ailment if your mother, sister, or grandmother has a history of having it.
- Hormonal factors: The hormones made by the ovaries, estrogen, and progesterone, may promote the development of fibroids.
- Pregnancy: Your body produces more progesterone and estrogen during pregnancy, which may cause fibroids to form and expand quickly.
- Additional drivers of growth: Substances in your body that assist with tissue maintenance, such as insulin-like growth factors, may influence fibroid tumor development.
- Cellular extranet (ECM): ECM stands for extracellular matrix. Because fibroids include more ECM than typical cells, they are fibrous. Additionally, the ECM harbors growth factors and influences cell transformation.
Signs and Symptoms
Fibroids can cause extremely minor symptoms, no symptoms at all, or severe symptoms. The most typical signs and symptoms include:
- Heavy, protracted, or excruciating periods
- Back or lower abdominal pain
- Painful sex
- Frequent urination
- Discomfort in the lower abdomen
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Constipation
Is There a Vulnerability for Fibroids?
- Age: Usually, women in their reproductive age develop fibroids.
- Genetics: Genetics plays an important role in the development of fibroids.
- Lifestyle: Obesity and lifestyle factors like diet and physical activity also play a role in the development of fibroids.
Ayurveda Treatment for Fibroids
Ayurveda correlates fibroids with ‘Granthi’, which refers to knotty elevations or nodular/glandular swellings. Ayurveda believes in the prevalence of tridoshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) in the body, and the disease occurs when these doshas are vitiated.
Types of Granthi
According to Ayurveda, there are nine varieties of Granthi:
- Vataja: Due to vata dosha vitiation
- Pittaja: Due to pitta dosha vitiation
- Kaphaja: Due to kapha dosha vitiation
- Medoja: Due to accumulation of excess adipose tissue
- Siraja: Due to faulty circulation
- Maamsaja: Due to intake of meat
- Asthi: Due to vitiation of bone tissue element
- Vrana: Due to ulcers
- Rakta Granthi: Due to vitiation of blood with pain and burning sensation
Prognosis of Granthi
The granthi is located in the neck, and vital parts, thick and rough, in children, and in elderly persons, are often incurable.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Granthi
Treatment is tailored after analyzing the condition of the disease, the body constitution of the patient, and the patient’s strength. The following methods of management can be adopted:
- Oleation: Using medicated ghee with drugs like pippali (Piper nigrum), chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), brihati (Solanum indicum).
- Strong Therapies: Vamana (emesis) and Virechana (purgation).
- Healthy Diet: Following a healthy diet after eliminative therapies.
- Local Treatments: Therapeutically cleaning the region above the neck.
- Surgical Procedures: Chedana or scraping is the main treatment for granthi. A ripened granthi must be removed along with its capsule followed by cauterization and treated like a wound.
Our Approach
At UWAY Health, we employ Ayurveda treatment for fibroids with a holistic and personalised approach. Though we follow classical Ayurveda protocols, sometimes our doctors might ask the patient to undergo some modern diagnostics like ultrasound to determine the measurement of the fibroids for better diagnosis and optimal treatment plans.
At UWAY we have a four step approach to treating fibroids
- Thoroughly assess the patient, including their body constitution, prevalent doshas, and overall strength.
- Implement elimination therapies or prescribe medications to expel vitiated doshas.
- Use experienced physicians to conduct treatments at the appropriate time and place.
- Help patients to enhance her mental and physical well-being.
Ayurveda Treatment Process for Uterine Fibroids
Once the patient is diagnosed, there are 3 major focus areas for treatment.
1. Medications
Ayurvedic treatment for uterine fibroids focuses on correcting the vitiated doshas, and our doctors prescribe proven classical medications to help the patient correct the doshas. Medicines can be in the form of liquids or capsules.
2. Ayurveda Therapies
In some cases, doctors might prescribe Panchakarma, an Ayurvedic therapeutic approach, which is effective in regulating hormones and correcting the pathology:
Some of the therapies are
- Virechana (Purgation Therapy): Eliminates excess doshas and toxins, supporting a balanced and healthier reproductive system.
- Basti (Enema Therapy): Different types of basti can be used to balance Vata dosha and nourish the reproductive tissues.
- Uttar Basti (Vaginal Administration): Directly impacts the reproductive organs, recommended for gynecological issues.
3. Diet and Lifestyle for Uterine Fibroids
Along with medicines and treatments, diet and lifestyle changes are crucial:
- Diet: Include grains like barley, millets, oats; vegetables like beans, cauliflower, greens; and fruits like pineapple, apples, pomegranates. Avoid excessive non-vegetarian, sweet, oily, and spicy foods.
- Lifestyle: Regular exercise, yoga postures like Suptabaddhakonasana, Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, and Suptavirasana, and meditation practices like Anuloma and Viloma pranayama help reduce stress and improve overall health.
Conclusion
Fibroids are benign tumors that can cause significant discomfort and health issues. Ayurveda treatment for fibroids offers a natural and holistic approach to treating fibroids by balancing the body’s doshas and eliminating toxins. Through personalized treatments, dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments, and through the use of classical Ayurveda medications we can effectively manage and potentially cure uterine fibroids. Ayurveda treatment for fibroids emphasizes restoring harmony in the body to promote healing. Please note the medication and supplements mentioned in this article is only for your understanding and should not be used for self medication.
About Author
Dr. Roopa D.M
Dr. Roopa graduated BAMS from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and has served as a Senior Physician at The Arya Vaidya Chikitsalayam (AVP), Coimbatore until recently. She has high success rate in managing infertility related issues like Recurrent IVF failures, recurrent abortions and PCOD and PCOS cases.
