Abstract

A CONCEPTUAL STUDY OF ASHTARTAVA DUSHTI (MENSTRUAL DISORDERS)

Dr. Vinayak Shravan Shinde*, Dr. Umesh R. Lunawat and Dr. Satish G. Thube

Abstract

Menstruation is the visible manifestation of cyclic physiologic uterine bleeding due to shedding of endometrium following invisible interplay of hormones mainly through hypothalamo-puitatory ovarian axis. Menstrual disorders are related to menstrual flow as well as hormonal imbalance. Now a day menstrual disorders are increasing due to change in life style in working women like increased marital age, improper diet, day-night office work, inadequate rest, excessive stress, lack of exercise etc. In Ayurveda most of menstrual disorders have been described under the heading of ‘Ashtartava dushti’ and ‘Asrugdara’. Very short descriptions of some disorders are available in samhitas. So needs proper correlation of various menstrual disorders with ‘Artav vyapad’ or ‘Artava dushti’.

Keywords: Menstruation, hormones, hypothalamo-puitatory ovarian axis, Ashtartava dushti, Asrugdar, Artav vyapad.