Ayurvedic perspective of kashtartava

Dysmenorrhea itself is not life threatening, but is found to have a profound impact on the daily activities and may result in missing work or school; inability to participate in sports or other activities and it may accentuate the emotional distress brought on by the pain (Andrew, 1999). Acharya Charaka has mentioned that Yoniroga can’t occur without vitiation of Vata (Agnivesha, 2004). Again pain is the main feature of Kashtartava, so it has strong relation with Vata. In classical text it is explained that due to Vega Dharana of Vata, Mutra and Purisha the Apana Vata gets vitiated and it gets Udhravagami i.e. normal Anulomaka Gati of Apana Vayu changes to Pratiloma Gati and this vitiated Vata lifts the Yoni upward and causes obstruction to flow of Raja and Raja comes out with great difficulty with severe Shoola (Charakasamhita of agnivesha, 2007). Several herbs are described in Ayurvedic literature for management of kashtartav. There is a need to solve this emerging problem. Panchakarma therapy offers a rayof hope for udavartini. Also ayurvedic herbals offer potential management which is proved beyond doubt in solving theproblem successfully. The aim of the posture is to focus the management of this problem in present scenario. Ayurveda recommends rutucharya and dinacharya, diet modulation and yoga in the form of asanas, pranayam and meditation on a regular basis so as to alleviate dysmenorrhoea effectively. Similarly, Uttarbasti, Garbhashaya balyaaushadhi, anuvasan or matrabasti can also be administered if necessary.